National Anthem.....

Post by **AnneM** » Sat May 06, 2006 6:03 pm

Hi folks

Was wandering down Union Street today where there were stalls from various European countries some of which were playing national anthems. I was reminded of a recent radio discussion I heard about the Anthems of the constituent parts of the UK. The Welsh are fine because they have Land of Our Fathers. The English are not sure if they want Land of Hope and Glory or Jerusalem but we are in the biggest pickle of all.

The person on the radio was complaining that the Commonwealth Games team had Scotland the Brave rather than the more commonly used Flower of Scotland. He was also suggesting that neither was suitable and that we should use Highland Cathedral which now has words (by him I think.) Now I had always been brought up to believe that our Natinal Anthem is Bruce's Address to his Troops at Bannockburn more commonly known as Scots Wha Hae, which is in my view a good rousing song and no more bloodthirsty than many. Have you ever thought about the words to the Marseiilaise? All about blood watering furrows. If I had to choose another I'd probably go for Scotland the Brave to which I take no exception at all. About Highland Cathedral I will be silent.

What do all you other Scots home based and exiled think? Is it even worth worrying about??

Anne

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Sat May 06, 2006 6:36 pm

Hi Anne

I like Highland Cathedral as a piece of music but it does nothing to stir me patriotically (If thats an actual word?)

Scotland the Brave I find as Kitch as you can get I'm afraid.

Listening to the The rugby fans singing Flooers O Scotland does stir me but Im biased since I knew and liked the Corries even if I didn't like their presentation of a few other things.

I didn't think you could mangle Flooers o Scotland the way I have heard Scotland the Brave played until the French managed to make it sound like a dirge before an international a few years ago. Their ploy didn't work though. It just made Scots blood boil.

Russell

Post by **AndrewP** » Sat May 06, 2006 6:49 pm

I'll vote for Flower of Scotland. The words are better known than any of the others, so is easily used for sporting occasions (probably the most regular use of anthems these days).

Scots Wha Ha'e - well I'm afraid I find that one a dirge.

Scotland The Brave - good rousing tune but hardly anyone knows the words.

Highland Cathedral - nice piece of music, but doesn't strike me as anthem material. Like Scotland The Brave, few people know the words.

To judge a meaningful anthem, watch the start of a rugby or football (soccer) international. When the anthems are played, the TV cameras usually zoom in on the team. Watch how many of them are singing. That is one measure of the meaningfulness (is that a word) of the anthem. Also, are the crowd singing along withthe correct words - or are they giving it full volume la-la-la words (not to mention the possibility of another set of words altogether

).

All the best,

AndrewP

CatrionaL · Post by **CatrionaL** » Sat May 06, 2006 6:56 pm

Russell wrote:
I didn't think you could mangle Flooers o Scotland the way I have heard Scotland the Brave played until the French managed to make it sound like a dirge before an international a few years ago. Their ploy didn't work though. It just made Scots blood boil.

Russell

Russell, what you have got to understand is that the French are embarassed about the whole business. They hid tae dae somethin' tae balance things up.

While the Scots players sing their hearts oot in a rendering of Flooers o' Scotland that pulls at the heart strings,, the French players make it obvious that they cannae even remember the words o' the first verse o' the Marseillaise.

C'est la vie!

Catriona

Post by **Ina** » Sat May 06, 2006 6:58 pm

My choice would also be for Flower of Scotland.

Ina

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 06, 2006 8:23 pm

I have listened to many a 'National Anthem'

God Save the Queen - How dare they force that on Scots. The words are truly appalling.
Flower of Scotland - Nice. But that is it. Just Nice.
Scots wha hae. - Stirring. Fine for going into battle.

For me there is only one.

A man's a man (for a' that) - Rabbie Burns' finest. An anthem for the world. (For rampant feminists and rabid politically correct types - changing it to 'person' makes it plain silly!)

Dave

fmackay · Post by **fmackay** » Sat May 06, 2006 11:16 pm

Definately got to be Flower of Scotland

dstew · Post by **dstew** » Sun May 07, 2006 1:05 am

AS being a Scottish decendant where could i listen to the national anthem?
Dstew

StewL · Post by **StewL** » Sun May 07, 2006 1:44 am

As an ex-pat Scot, I am tossed between Scotland the Brave (ok, ok) and Flower of Scotland, but I grew up with Scotland the Brave

, but as an anthem I tend to drift more towards Flower of Scotland now.
Highland Cathedral oh well its a nice tune I suppose, but a bit over the top, I reckon. If this wasnt polite company I could use other words to describe it

Pretentious comes to mind

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Sun May 07, 2006 6:54 am

Flower of Scotland does it for me without a doubt - it is the one to stir patriotic feelings. Scotland the Brave is a wee bit too 'Grand Old Duke of York ' ish for me. Scot's wa Hae drones on a bit and Highland Cathedral is nice enough music but stirs no emotion.

That's ma bit

Ted