Dear Editor,
Perhaps now more than at any time of the year, our national anthem is being played all over the place whenever we celebrate our supposed Independence. Yet, even though I am told that I must show respect for our national anthem by standing with my hands by my side whenever I hear that anthem, I cannot help but feel the need to hold my hands out front — like a beggar hoping to get something.
A national anthem is supposed to instil pride in one’s country. Ours is one that reminds me that we are experts at begging. However, there are anthems out there that make any normal person take note.
For me, the four best anthems in the world, from least to best, are the North Korean, British and Russian or Soviet anthems. All of them speak to the very strong determination of their peoples.
North Korea’s anthem urges itS people to glorify Korea, which it considers to be both North and South, forever, and reminds North Koreans that theirs is a strong country that was built by “the will of the people”.
The British anthem, the world’s most recognised, is very interesting, for while it appears to glorify the reigning king or queen, it is actually preaching the strength of the United Kingdom. It demands that the British do all that they can to preserve their independence and it also demands that the British expand their influence abroad. It also contains a warning to her enemies: threaten us at your peril!
Certainly by far, for me, the best anthem in the world is the Soviet or Russian anthem. Even though this one has gone through some changes over the decades, the basic meaning remains the same. It speaks to the great strength and unity of the Soviet and Russian peoples and the vastness of the country. One version of the Soviet anthem spoke to the perils that the union overcame and the country’s great accomplishments.
And while one can pardon the references to God in some of these anthems, it’s not just the lyrics of them that stand out. The rhythms and instrumentations of these anthems are very good. Again, without a doubt, the Soviet and Russian anthems lead the pack. I must add that the present South African anthem also has an excellent rhythm.
So, while I struggle to restrain myself from finding the nearest begging bowl when I hear our national anthem, I hope that the day will come when we will see the need to grow up and give ourselves one that can truly make us proud.
Michael A. Dingwall
michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com
Perhaps now more than at any time of the year, our national anthem is being played all over the place whenever we celebrate our supposed Independence. Yet, even though I am told that I must show respect for our national anthem by standing with my hands by my side whenever I hear that anthem, I cannot help but feel the need to hold my hands out front — like a beggar hoping to get something.
A national anthem is supposed to instil pride in one’s country. Ours is one that reminds me that we are experts at begging. However, there are anthems out there that make any normal person take note.
For me, the four best anthems in the world, from least to best, are the North Korean, British and Russian or Soviet anthems. All of them speak to the very strong determination of their peoples.
North Korea’s anthem urges itS people to glorify Korea, which it considers to be both North and South, forever, and reminds North Koreans that theirs is a strong country that was built by “the will of the people”.
The British anthem, the world’s most recognised, is very interesting, for while it appears to glorify the reigning king or queen, it is actually preaching the strength of the United Kingdom. It demands that the British do all that they can to preserve their independence and it also demands that the British expand their influence abroad. It also contains a warning to her enemies: threaten us at your peril!
Certainly by far, for me, the best anthem in the world is the Soviet or Russian anthem. Even though this one has gone through some changes over the decades, the basic meaning remains the same. It speaks to the great strength and unity of the Soviet and Russian peoples and the vastness of the country. One version of the Soviet anthem spoke to the perils that the union overcame and the country’s great accomplishments.
And while one can pardon the references to God in some of these anthems, it’s not just the lyrics of them that stand out. The rhythms and instrumentations of these anthems are very good. Again, without a doubt, the Soviet and Russian anthems lead the pack. I must add that the present South African anthem also has an excellent rhythm.
So, while I struggle to restrain myself from finding the nearest begging bowl when I hear our national anthem, I hope that the day will come when we will see the need to grow up and give ourselves one that can truly make us proud.
Michael A. Dingwall
michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com