When you travel by transport or as an armchair traveller you gradually learn the flags of other countries. You could also learn the national anthems, although the words are often so old fashioned that they are not much help in learning the language spoken today. More useful songs for learning English are Ten Green Bottles and Simon Says, but these are not suitable for national anthems.
Interesting to see the 70 national anthems together on YouTube with the words of the first line.
Do I remember a single word, or phrase, or theme? The Swedes - or Scandinavians - celebrated the scenery.
The Poles stunned me with their song starting with sabres. On the other hand, when you visit Warsaw and see all the monuments, the Warsaw Ghetto, Auschwitz, the invasions by Russians and Germans, overthrow of invaders, monuments to massacres, and many more sad stories, soldiers and citizens, you can see why the battles of yesteryear are in their minds.
The French also have a wartime marching song. Calling citizens to arms, and glory. Many anthems are marching songs.
The Swiss want their national song to be something livelier.
In the UK a similar debate rises and falls.
UK
An astonishingly long list of countries have used the British national anthem, including big places such as Canada and Australia, the smaller islands such as The Bahamas and Barbados..
National or royal anthem of
The Brits have been divided between keeping God Save the Queen (which changes to God Save the King when we have a king. Traditionalists like God Save the queen.
Is the melody too mournful? You may be surprised, as I was, to learn that Britain is not the only country to choose this tune.
Wiki says: 'The melody continues to be used for the national anthem of Liechtenstein, "Oben am jungen Rhein", and the royal anthem of Norway, "Kongesangen". In the United States, the melody is used for the patriotic song "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" (also known as "America").'
An astonishingly long
But other traditionalists like Elgar's livelier Land of Hope And Glory which is sung at last night of the proms (Promenade concerts at the Albert Hall in London, England).
What about America
We all know the American flag with its red and white stripes and blue inset with white stars.
Not to be confused with the Malaysian flag which also had red and white stripes and a blue inset but adds the yellow crescent and one large yellow multi point star.
Since America and the UK have reconciled during the 1900s, and 2000+, we could do without being reminded of past battles. Some of us have moved on.
Americans are likewise divided over a suitable text and tune for the national anthem. The real national anthem is hard to sing. the Star Spangled banner, whilst nicely alliterative, starts with the unsingable, 'Oh, say can you tell ...'. My voice cracks just trying to reach the high note of tell.
I agree with those who prefer an up-to-date song which everybody can sing, America The Beautiful. The study of the texts of anthems is illuminating, reminding you of history, geography, and religion, and explaining politics.
Quiz
1 Which flag shows a dragon?
a) China b) Wales c) Scotland
2 Which flag is called the star spangled banner?
a) Australia b) New Zealand c) USA
3 Which flag shows a maple leaf?
a Malaysia b Scotland c Canada
4 Which flag has a white cross on red?
a Bermuda b Switzerland c Ireland
5 Which countries' flags have red and white stripes?
a) Canada b) USA c) Malaysia d) Indonesia
6 Which country's anthem calls its citizens to arms?
a) USA b) Canada d) France e) UK
7 Which country's anthem uses the word gracious?
a) USA b) Canada c) UK d) French
8 For which song did Elgar compose music
a) God save the Queen/King b) Britannia c) Land of Hope and Glory
9 Where are the Promenade Concerts held?
a) Buckingham Palace b) Balmoral c) The Festival Hall d) The Albert Hall e) Windsor Castle
f) Piccadilly
10 What are the numbers colour and items in a traditional English song?
a Ten Green Dragons
b Twelve Red Bottles
c Three Green Bottles
d Ten Red Bottles
e Ten Green Bottles
f Seven Red Dragons
g Twelve Red Cups
Answers
1 b
2 c
3 c
4 b
5 b and c
6 d
7 c
8 c
9d
10e
Useful Websites
70 anthems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szFrHKoD1GE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner
Author, Author! About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. (Not related to the actress.) See books and profiles on Lulu.com and Amazon, such as Wedding Speeches & Toasts, Quick Quotations, Who Said What When. Also watch videos on YouTube.
See other posts on singers and statues and languages and destinations.
Please share links to your favourite posts.
Interesting to see the 70 national anthems together on YouTube with the words of the first line.
Do I remember a single word, or phrase, or theme? The Swedes - or Scandinavians - celebrated the scenery.
The Poles stunned me with their song starting with sabres. On the other hand, when you visit Warsaw and see all the monuments, the Warsaw Ghetto, Auschwitz, the invasions by Russians and Germans, overthrow of invaders, monuments to massacres, and many more sad stories, soldiers and citizens, you can see why the battles of yesteryear are in their minds.
The French also have a wartime marching song. Calling citizens to arms, and glory. Many anthems are marching songs.
The Swiss want their national song to be something livelier.
In the UK a similar debate rises and falls.
UK
Flag of Wales
An astonishingly long list of countries have used the British national anthem, including big places such as Canada and Australia, the smaller islands such as The Bahamas and Barbados..
National or royal anthem of
Antigua and Barbuda (royal)
Australia (royal)-
Norfolk Island (national and royal) 
The Bahamas (royal)
Barbados (royal)
Belize (royal)
Canada (royal)
Grenada (royal)
Jamaica (royal)
New Zealand (national and royal)-
Cook Islands (royal) -
Niue (royal) -
Tokelau (national and royal) 
Papua New Guinea (royal)
Saint Kitts and Nevis (royal)
Saint Lucia (royal)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (royal)
Solomon Islands (royal)
Tuvalu (royal)
United Kingdom (national and royal)- Crown dependencies
- British Overseas Territories (national and royal)
The Brits have been divided between keeping God Save the Queen (which changes to God Save the King when we have a king. Traditionalists like God Save the queen.
Is the melody too mournful? You may be surprised, as I was, to learn that Britain is not the only country to choose this tune.
Wiki says: 'The melody continues to be used for the national anthem of Liechtenstein, "Oben am jungen Rhein", and the royal anthem of Norway, "Kongesangen". In the United States, the melody is used for the patriotic song "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" (also known as "America").'
An astonishingly long
But other traditionalists like Elgar's livelier Land of Hope And Glory which is sung at last night of the proms (Promenade concerts at the Albert Hall in London, England).
What about America
We all know the American flag with its red and white stripes and blue inset with white stars.
Not to be confused with the Malaysian flag which also had red and white stripes and a blue inset but adds the yellow crescent and one large yellow multi point star.
Since America and the UK have reconciled during the 1900s, and 2000+, we could do without being reminded of past battles. Some of us have moved on.
Americans are likewise divided over a suitable text and tune for the national anthem. The real national anthem is hard to sing. the Star Spangled banner, whilst nicely alliterative, starts with the unsingable, 'Oh, say can you tell ...'. My voice cracks just trying to reach the high note of tell.
I agree with those who prefer an up-to-date song which everybody can sing, America The Beautiful. The study of the texts of anthems is illuminating, reminding you of history, geography, and religion, and explaining politics.
Quiz
1 Which flag shows a dragon?
a) China b) Wales c) Scotland
2 Which flag is called the star spangled banner?
a) Australia b) New Zealand c) USA
3 Which flag shows a maple leaf?
a Malaysia b Scotland c Canada
4 Which flag has a white cross on red?
a Bermuda b Switzerland c Ireland
5 Which countries' flags have red and white stripes?
a) Canada b) USA c) Malaysia d) Indonesia
6 Which country's anthem calls its citizens to arms?
a) USA b) Canada d) France e) UK
7 Which country's anthem uses the word gracious?
a) USA b) Canada c) UK d) French
8 For which song did Elgar compose music
a) God save the Queen/King b) Britannia c) Land of Hope and Glory
9 Where are the Promenade Concerts held?
a) Buckingham Palace b) Balmoral c) The Festival Hall d) The Albert Hall e) Windsor Castle
f) Piccadilly
10 What are the numbers colour and items in a traditional English song?
a Ten Green Dragons
b Twelve Red Bottles
c Three Green Bottles
d Ten Red Bottles
e Ten Green Bottles
f Seven Red Dragons
g Twelve Red Cups
Answers
1 b
2 c
3 c
4 b
5 b and c
6 d
7 c
8 c
9d
10e
Useful Websites
70 anthems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szFrHKoD1GE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner
Author, Author! About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. (Not related to the actress.) See books and profiles on Lulu.com and Amazon, such as Wedding Speeches & Toasts, Quick Quotations, Who Said What When. Also watch videos on YouTube.
See other posts on singers and statues and languages and destinations.
Please share links to your favourite posts.
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