Why does the U.S. national anthem still move me so?

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Musically, the U.S. anthem is a rather overly-bombastic, banal piece. Perfect for chest-thumping, yes, but hardly a great tune. The vocal line is rather ineptly written, from a singing standpoint. Key obviously didn't know how to write for singers, considering the range is all over the place.

IIRC Key only wrote the words. The music is from an english drinking song.


BTW - you want to get all teary about it, go to Fort McHenry in Baltimore, and listen to it after a description of the battle, as the curtain is drawn to show the flag flying over the fort.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Zevico
If you like the sombre-sad type anthem, Hatikva (the Israel one, lit. "The Hope") wins out.

Of course the music for that one is based on Smetana's "moldau" - which, ironically, always reminds me of "hatikvah" when i hear it.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Zevico
If you like the sombre-sad type anthem, Hatikva (the Israel one, lit. "The Hope") wins out.

Of course the music for that one is based on Smetana's "moldau" - which, ironically, always reminds me of "hatikvah" when i hear it.

Also interesting historical resonances, since Czech nationalism has tended to be generally non antisemitic (well not always, but certainly as led by Masaryk) especially in comparison to the Czech opponents among radical Grossdeutsch nationalism. And in the 20's it was said "there are czechs, and there are slovaks, but the only czechoslovaks are the Jews". And Czechoslovakia was first state to send arms to Israel in '48. Etc...

[Imran Siddiqui]

USA! USA!

The US National Anthem moves me as well. It's a great anthem

And che, really, Slow is right, you need to develop that sense of humor of yours. We did it for Fun, we can do it for you (Just kidding Fun, don't go ape**** ).

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


F*ck you, I had nothing to do with this discussion.

Personally, This Land is Your Land .

Another great patriotic tune written by a lefty

Though actually the best "patriotic" music written by a lefty is by Aaron Copeland - Fanfare for the Common man, Lincoln Portrait, and, in a different way, Appalachian Spring. Once I was driving along the GW Parkway, with the vista of the capital appearing across the Potomac, when Fanfare came on - it was a very nice accidental "gesamthkuntswerk" (Sp?)

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
USA! USA!

The US National Anthem moves me as well. It's a great anthem

And che, really, Slow is right, you need to develop that sense of humor of yours. We did it for Fun, we can do it for you (Just kidding Fun, don't go ape**** ).

Yes, I suppose if even I can be saved, so can Chegitz, right?

[Ming]

Enough with the personal crap folks...

And Sloww... you are one post away from getting restricted. ATTACK THE ARGUMENTS... NOT THE POSTERS!

[chequita guevara]

I *love* Fanfare for the Common Man.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Ming
Enough with the personal crap folks...

And Sloww... you are one post away from getting restricted. ATTACK THE ARGUMENTS... NOT THE POSTERS!

. . . and thus, Ming came down from the mountains with the Commandments, and God saw that this was good.

[Cruddy]

Because you are emotionally stunted and hence easily moved?

All my nation's anthem does for me is make me wish we had something better. Preferably jazz with a good drum skiffle in it, and maybe a washboard or two.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
And che, really, Slow is right, you need to develop that sense of humor of yours.

It was an attack from left field. I wasn't part of the thread and wham.

[SlowwHand]

The only one who got their panties in a twist was Fun.
Like that matters a lot, it's so unusual.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
The only one who got their panties in a twist was Fun.
Like that matters a lot, it's so unusual.

So I overreacted -- again.

[Imran Siddiqui]

It was an attack from left field. I wasn't part of the thread and wham.

Lighten up .

[MrFun]

Save Chegitz, like you saved me Imran.