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”?
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Tags: "America The Beautiful", "The Star Spangled Banner", FNCMFPECDAA
J wrote,
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
Link | July 4th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Sans Direction wrote,
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
Link | July 4th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Jayne d'Arcy wrote,
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.
Link | July 5th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Pribek wrote,
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
Link | July 5th, 2008 at 2:15 am
Pribek wrote,
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”?
Link | July 5th, 2008 at 2:26 am
Sans Direction wrote,
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
Link | July 5th, 2008 at 9:16 am
J wrote,
I don’t know…I think “Happy Trails to You” could be appropriate…
;-)
J’s last blog post..Masters of Song-Fu #2 @ QuickStop
Link | July 5th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Pribek wrote,
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.
Link | July 5th, 2008 at 2:52 pm