Jul 042008
Special Independence Day version of the Friday Night Cage Match/Fondue Party/Evolving Conversation/Dancing About Architecture.
We are taking a little risk with this topic but hey, the FNCMFPECDAA is all about risk. This topic could be an explosion of enlightenment or, it could be a dud.
Tonight we have…..
“America The Beautiful” or “The Star Spangled Banner”?
The Star Spangled Banner was “borrowed” from “Anacreon in Heaven”, an old English drinking song. “Anacreon” is actually easier to sing because the first 3 notes are tonic, but after a few gin and tonics, either version becomes singable.
America the Beautiful has great lyrics and is more singable, but who says a national anthem should be easy to sing?
J’s last blog post..Masters of Song-Fu #2 @ QuickStop
My question is thus: What kind of drunkards does England have that they can have the toughest song as a drinking song?
I think the better competition would be “America The Beautiful” vs “This Land Is Your Land”. Woody Guthrie wrote “This Land” as a reaction to “Beautiful”.
But, with the question as formed, I have one reaction question: Did Jimi play “America The Beautiful”? No?
“Star Spangled Banner”, which I was picking out this afternoon.
Sans Direction’s last blog post..Happy 232th Birthday, you Eagle of a nation
America the Beautiful. I haven’t liked the Star Spangled Banner since that nitwit comedienne butchered it some years back. I do like the lyrics without the music, though.
J-I’ve heard rumor that the anthem was really an English drinking song but, until now nobody has ever given me any facts so, thanks for the info. I knew you’d come through.
“but who says a national anthem should be easy to sing?” The issue there might very well be the sort of thing Jayne mentioned.
Sans-You’re right about Jimi but, might I submit…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOHoN-8ibsY
or…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWyzoQh5XIo
And, oh yeah Sans…I remember back a ways that there was some public discussion about changing the anthem to “America the Beautiful”. And, if memory serves, “This Land” came up in the dialog for a minute or two.
What are your thoughts on “America The Beautiful” vs “This Land Is Your Land”?
My, those are effective counterarguments.
I think I’d have to go with “America The Beautiful”. I like “This Land”, but I think a National Anthem, a song we play as an “in our face” when our athletes get the gold at the Olympics and such, should be more majestic than a folksong with cowboy chords.
Sans Direction’s last blog post..Happy 232th Birthday, you Eagle of a nation
I don’t know…I think “Happy Trails to You” could be appropriate…
;-)
J’s last blog post..Masters of Song-Fu #2 @ QuickStop
I just got this image of those guys at the Mexico City Olympics, on the podium, doing the black power salute while “Happy Trails” plays in the background.