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World Cup of National Anthems, Group B

tew — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 16:50:58 +0000

England — God Save the Queen
- vocal
Trinidad & Tobago
- bonus Google video!
Sweden
Paraguay — Paraguayos, República o Muerte (Paraguayans: Republic or Death!)

A tough group. This could be the “Group of Death” this year.

World Cup of National Anthems, Group A

tew — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 02:37:36 +0000

Germany (Das Lied der Deutschen)
- Choral Version
- Instrumental Version
Poland (Dąbrowski’s Mazurka)
- Vocal Version
Ecuador (Salve, Oh Patria!)
- Vocal Version
Costa Rica
- Vocal Version

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.

battle of national anthems, part 1(b): USSR

tew — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 15:10:35 +0000

So the anthem of the USSR was pretty awesome, right? I know it makes me want to punch a Nazi in the face, or maybe work really hard in a tractor factory. I especially love the hammer/anvil sounds in the background of the Red Army Chorus version. Man, how awesome would it have been to party with the Red Army Chorus? I bet those guys really threw down, back in the day.

Anyway, the anthem contains a few lyrical gems which seem quaint today, but on the whole I still think it’s really great. I guess Russia’s using a watered-down version of the same song to this day, but instead of awesome lyrics about Lenin and Stalin, and fluttering scarlet banners, they’re singing now about how big their country is, and how it has both costal and arctic regions. They’ve traded in one of the great inspiring national anthems for a cheap knockoff of ‘America, the Beautiful’. Shape up, Russia.

Coming soon: the World Cup of National Anthems!

battle of national anthems, part 1: USSR

tew — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 04:31:39 +0000

All current and former national anthems must fight for our amusement! Begin!

First, the anthem of the Former Soviet Union.

Anthem of the Soviet Union, 1977 version, first verse – sung by children’s choir.
Anthem of the Soviet Union, 1977 version, all verses – sung by the Red Army Chorus.

English Translation:

Unbreakable Union of freeborn Republics,
Great Russia has welded forever to stand.
Created in struggle by will of the people,
United and mighty, our Soviet land!

CHORUS:

Sing to the Fatherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong.
O Party of Lenin, the strength of the people,
To Communism’s triumph lead us on!