7/5/2006
World Cup of National Anthems, Group C
- Argentina
- Serbia & Montenegro
- Holland
- Ivory Coast
This proved to be the toughest group in soccer play this year. It also looks like a very tough group for national anthems. mp3 links coming soon.
7/5/2006
World Cup of National Anthems, Group B
- England — God Save the Queen
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Sweden
- Paraguay — Paraguayos, República o Muerte (Paraguayans: Republic or Death!)
A tough group. This could be the “Group of Death” this year.
6/7/2006
World Cup of National Anthems, Group A
- Germany (Das Lied der Deutschen)
- Poland (Dąbrowski’s Mazurka)
- Ecuador (Salve, Oh Patria!)
- Costa Rica
Post your choices in comments — remember, the top two go through. Results later this week.
Update: Results!
Well, it’s clear that Germany goes through on top, handily. With the near-unbeatable combination of lyrical bombast (Deutschland, Deutschland über alles!), geographical aggression (the rivers name-checked in the first stanza are all in neighboring countries — watch out Lithuania!), and a nod to the finer things in life (German wine, German women, and German song in the little-used second stanza), Das Lied der Deutschen just rolls over the competition. A national anthem designed as a drinking song: true German craftsmanship.
The second slot was a tougher battle. Two Latin American nations versus Poland (which, according to Das Deutschenleid, is actually part of Germany). Poland’s anthem was actually written during a time when Poland didn’t really exist as a state, so that’s a plus. Lyrics about overcoming the enemy and reuniting the nation are pretty awesome, though they lose a few points for name-checking Napoleon. Still, enough to go through against Ecuador and Costa Rica. Those two anthems are really nothing special.
Winner: Germany. Runner-Up: Poland.
6/6/2006
the albatross return to capistrano
Have you noticed that world has felt empty and devoid of meaning for the past few months? That since early April, life has been harder, meaner, and colder? Despair no longer, loyal friends: Fafblog is back!
