National Anthems

[dann]

Some national anthems resort to nostalgia:

There sat in former times,
the armour-suited warriors,
rested from conflict
Then they went forward to the enemies’ injury,
now their bones are resting
behind the mound’s menhir
Denmark national anthem song (Herald News)

i.e: 'At this point in history, our country has shrunk so much in size and power that we can no longer wage wars on our own, but a girl can still dream, can't she?! And we still have the sea ... trees ... and women!'

 

[KDLarsen]

Which is why I prefer the other one. I mean, it's up there with the Marseillaise as far as blood and thunder is concerned:

King Christian stood by the lofty mast
In mist and smoke;
His sword was hammering so fast,
Through Gothic helm and brain it passed;
...
Niels Juel gave heed to the tempest's roar,
Now is the hour!
He hoisted his blood-red flag once more,
And smote upon the foe full sore
...
North Sea! a glimpse of Wessel rent
Thy murky sky!
Then champions to thine arms were sent;
Terror and Death glared where he went;

 

[Reformed Offlian]

The Star Spangled Banner is the perfect national anthem for the United States. It's music is from an old English drinking/pub song, with lyrics written by a lawyer (from a slave-owning family), about getting your butt kicked, standing back up, and asking, "Is that all you got?". Bonus - Explosions.

The fact that it's really hard to sing in tune, just makes it better.

If we ever replace it, the successors should come from this list:

The Theme to Team America

I Feel Good, by James Brown.

Let's Get It On, by Marvin Gaye.

I think "I Feel Good" would be awesome at Olympic medal ceremonies.

I think that if "I Feel Good" gets performed as the US anthem before sporting events, the performer should be expected to execute James Brown's trademark split at the end. Cheaper and more entertaining than a flyover.