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.
Germany wins hands down. Mostly for having two versions. The rest all sound the same, but I’ll go with Poland for second, edging out costa rica on goal differential.