First off, I am a HUGE fan of the World Cup! I have been ever since 1982 when I began following the tournament on a regular basis. There is just something awe-inspiring about the entire planet ( and more recently the U.S.) being riveted on one sporting event. For thirty days the world comes together to enjoy a fabulous spectacle and to watch some incredible soccer ( and some not so incredible moments i.e. suarez biting incident, but it's all part of the spectacle). Maybe it's why this event seems to torment many conservatives who evidently can't stand to see the world come together even for 30 days. Becasue every country in the world plays soccer, it is the one time that even the smallest countries can compete with super powers at something!
One of my favorite moments ( that I never miss) comes right before each game : the playing of the two countries national anthems. It's the one time during the tournament when a small country can proudly showcase their feelings and love for country. My wife is from Colombia ( i know we are still heart broken), as she was translating the words of her anthem I thought to myself, what nice words and sentiments. It got me to thinking about our national anthem and some of the words are not so peaceful, in fact are kind of violent..It also got me to thinking about the words of the other 31 national anthems...so I did some research ...more after the star spangled wavy orange thing
This will be the World Cup of national anthems. I will divide them into three different categories : 1. Peaceful, humanitarian, freedom,themes 2. Some violent words and messages 3. Very violent messages of blood, killing etc.
Category 1 : Argentina (" freedom, freedom freedom, here the noise of broken chains")
Australia ("Australians all let us rejoice, for we are young and free")
Belgium ( " You will always live in grandeur and beauty")
Brazil ( Brazil, a vivid dream, a lively ray of love and hope settles on the earth)
Boznia and Herzegovina ( wonderful blue sky Herzegovina, in the heart of your river . Your mountain proud and glorious)
Cameroon ( Dear Fatherland, dear land, You are our only true happiness. Our joy our life , to you , love and honor)
Chile ( Chile, your sky is a pure blue, Pure breezes blow across you)
Colombia ( All humanity moans within its chains, understand the words of He who died on the cross)
Costa Rica ( Under the livid blue of your skies Peace reigns, white and pure)
Cote d'Ivoire ( Ivory Coast) ( It will be our duty to be an example Of the hope promised to humanity)
Croatia ( Fatherland of ancient glory, May you always be happy)
Ecuador ( Your breast overflows with joy and peace)
Germany ( Unity, Right and Freedom, Are the pledge of happiness)
Honduras ( Your flag is the spleandor of the sky Crossed with a band of snow)
Iran ( Your message, o Imam, of independence and freedom is imprinted on our souls)
Japan ( May thy peaceful reign last long! May it last for thousands of years)
South Korea ( With this spirit and this mind, give all loyalty in suffering or in joy, to the love of country)
Netherlands ( I dedicate undying faith to this land of mine)
Nigeria ( To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign)
Russia ( Be glorious our free Motherland, Ancient union of brotherly peoples)
Switzerland ( For you feel and understand, That he dwelleth in this land)
So 21 nations in category 1...these anthems for the most part have peacful themes. They don't always translate into a peaceful country, Iran and Nigeria come to mind, but again we are concentrating on the national anthems. Now on to
Category 2 :
Uruguay ( Our country or the grave, Freedom or glory to die)
United States ( Rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air)
England ( scatter her enemies and make them fall)
Portugal ( to arms to arms on land and sea)
Italy ( Let us band together, we are ready to die)
Ghana ( Help us resist oppressors rule with all our will and might
Greece ( By the dreadful sword you hold twas the Greeks of old whose dying)
So 7 nations whose anthems have mild mentions of death, dying, violence Now on to the most violent. Three nations have the distinction of being in :
Cateogry 3:
Algeria (We have taken the noise of gunpowder as our rhthym and the sound of machine guns as our melody) Yikes!
Mexico ( Mexicans, at the cry of war, Grasp the steel and the bridle, and let the earths core tremble at the sound of the cannon)
France ( The howling of these fearsome soldiers, They are coming into our midst, To cut the throats of your sons and consorts) Wow!
So there you have it. The star spangled banner certainly isn't the most violent of national anthems but it certainly isn't with the majority of nations at the World Cup who are much more peaceful. My vote for the most pleasant Anthem : Australia. My vote for the most violent Anthem : Algeria
Personally I would like to see "America the Beautiful" become our national anthem. Very pretty song that extols the beauty of our country. Please take my poll below , I would like to know what song you think should be our National Anthem.