THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To hear the anthem: click the flags for the .mp3 or .wav or .midi file

Our Anthem, by Isaac Asimov

I have a weakness--I am crazy, absolutely nuts, about our national anthem.

The words are difficult and the tune is almost impossible, but frequently when I'm taking a shower I sing it with as much power and emotion as I can. It shakes me up every time.

I was once asked to speak at a luncheon. Taking my life in my hands, I announced I was going to sing our national anthem--all four stanzas.

This was greeted with loud groans. One man closed the door to the kitchen, where the noise of dishes and cutlery was loud and distracting. "Thanks, Herb," I said.

"That's all right," he said. "It was at the request of the kitchen staff."

I explained the background of the anthem and then sang all four stanzas. Let me tell you, those people had never heard it before--or had never really Listened. I got a standing ovation. But it was not me; it was the anthem.

More recently, while conducting a seminar, I told my students the story of the anthem and sang all four stanzas. Again there was a wild ovation and prolonged applause. And again, it was the anthem and not me.

So now let me tell you how it came to be written.

In 1812, the United States went to war with Great Britain, primarily over freedom of the seas. We were in the right. For two years, we held off the British, even though we were still a rather weak country. Great Britain was in a life and death struggle with Napoleon. In fact, just as the United States declared war, Napoleon marched off to invade Russia. If he won, as everyone expected, he would control Europe, and Great Britain would be isolated. It was no time for her to be involved in an American war.

At first, our seamen proved better than the British. After we won a battle on Lake Erie in 1813, the American commander, Oliver Hazard Perry, sent the message "We have met the enemy and they are ours." However, the weight of
the British navy beat down our ships eventually. New England, hard-hit by a tightening blockade, threatened secession.

Meanwhile, Napoleon was beaten in Russia and in 1814 was forced to abdicate. Great Britain now turned its attention to the United States, launching a three-pronged attack. The northern prong was to come down Lake Champlain
toward New York and seize parts of New England. The southern prong was to go up the Mississippi, take New Orleans and paralyze the west. The central prong was to head for the mid-Atlantic states and then attack Baltimore, the
greatest port south of New York. If Baltimore was taken, the nation, which still hugged the Atlantic  coast, could be split in two. The fate of the United States, then, rested to a large extent on the success or failure of the central prong.

The British reached the American coast, and on August 24, 1814, took Washington, D. C. Then they moved up the Chesapeake Bay toward Baltimore. On September 12, they arrived and found 1000 men in Fort McHenry, whose guns
controlled the harbor. If the British wished to take Baltimore, they would have to take the fort.

On one of the British ships was an aged physician, William Beanes, who had been arrested in Maryland and brought along as a prisoner. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and friend of the physician, had come to the ship to negotiate his release. The British captain was willing, but the two Americans would
have to wait. It was now the night of September 13, and the bombardment of Fort McHenry was about to start.

As twilight deepened, Key and Beanes saw the American flag flying over Fort McHenry. Through the night, they heard bombs bursting and saw the red glare of rockets. They knew the fort was resisting and the American flag was still
flying. But toward morning the bombardment ceased, and a dread silence fell. Either Fort McHenry had surrendered and the British flag flew above it, or the bombardment had failed and the American flag still flew.

As dawn began to brighten the eastern sky, Key and Beanes stared out at the fort, tyring to see which flag flew over it. He and the physician must have asked each other over and over, "Can you see the flag?"

After it was all finished, Key wrote a four stanza poem telling the events of the night. Called "The Defence of Fort M'Henry," it was published in newspapers and swept the nation. Someone noted that the words fit an old English tune called "To Anacreon in Heaven" --a difficult melody with an
uncomfortably large vocal range. For obvious reasons, Key's work became known as "The Star Spangled Banner," and in 1931 Congress declared it the official anthem of the United States.

Now that you know the story, here are the words. Presumably, the old doctor is speaking.

This is what he asks Key:

Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

W hat so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? 

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, 

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave, 

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?



"Ramparts," in case you don't know, are the protective walls or other elevations that surround a fort. The first stanza asks a question. The second gives an answer



On the shore, dimly seen thro' the mist of the deep, 
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep.
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, 
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream 
'Tis the star-spangled banner. Oh! long may it wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

"The towering steep" is again, the ramparts. The bombardment has failed, and the British can do nothing more but sail away, their mission a failure.

In the third stanza, I feel Key allows himself to gloat over the American triumph. In the aftermath of the bombardment, Key probably was in no mood to act otherwise.

During World War II, when the British were our staunchest allies, this third stanza was not sung. However, I know it, so here it is 



And where is that band who so vauntingly swore 
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion 
A home and a country should leave us no more? 
Their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution. 

No refuge could save the hireling and slave 
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave, 
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The fourth stanza, a pious hope for the future, should be sung more slowly than the other three and with even deeper feeling. 



Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand  
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation, 
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n - rescued land 
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, for our cause is just, 
And this be our motto--"In God is our trust." 
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.



I hope you will look at the national anthem with new eyes. Listen to it, the next time you have a chance, with new ears. 

And don't let them ever take it away.

--Isaac Asimov,  March 1991
!
Lyrics: Francis Scott Key, 1814

Click on the Flags to hear the anthem!

ARMENIA

http://www.caspianbusinessnews.com/

Our fatherland, free and independent,
That lived from century to century
His children are calling
Free independent Armenia.
(repeat previous two lines)
Here brother, for you a flag,
That I made with my hands
Nights I didn't sleep,
With tears I washed it.
(repeat previous two lines)
Look at it, 3 colours
It's our gifted symbol.
Let it shine against the enemy.
Let Armenia always be glorius.
(repeat previous two lines)
Everywhere death is the same
Everyone dies only once
But lucky is the one
Who is sacrificed for his nation.
(repeat previous two lines)
(repeat first verse)
Only he who is a born traitor
Averts from the struggle.
He who is brave is not daunted,
But falls - a martyr to the cause.
Adopted: 1912

http://www.viennastar.com/

Land of mountains, land of streams,
Land of fields, land of spires,
Land of hammers, with a rich future,
You are the home of great sons,
A nation blessed by its sense of beauty,
Highly praised Austria.
(repeat)
Strongly fought for, fiercely contested,
You are in the centre of the Continent
Like a strong heart,
You have borne since the earliest days
The burden of a high mission,
Much tried Austria.
(repeat)
Watch us striding free and believing,
With courage, into new eras,
Working cheerfully and full of hope,
In fraternal chorus let us take in unity
The oath of allegiance to you, our country,
Our much beloved Austria.
(repeat)

http://www.europeanvoice.com/

O beloved Belgium, sacred land of our fathers,
Our heart and soul are dedicated to you.
Our strength and the blood of our veins we offer,
Be our goal, in work and battle.
Prosper, O country, in unbreakable unity,
Always be yourself and free.
Trust in the word that, undaunted, you can speak:
For King, for Freedom and for Law.
(repeat previous two lines)
For King, for Freedom and for Law.
(repeat)

BOSNIA

http://www.torontofreepress.com/

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada! we stand on guard for thee
(repeat)

http://www.croatianewsonline.com/

Beautiful is our homeland,
O so fearless, O so gracious,
Our fathers' ancient glory,
May God bless you, live forever!
You are our only glory,
You are our only treasure,
We love your plains and valleys,
We love your hills and mountains.
Sava, Drava, keep on flowing,
Danube, do not lose your vigour,
Deep blue sea go tell the whole world,
That a Croat loves his homeland.
When his fields are kissed by sunshine,
When his oaks are whipped by wild winds,
When his dear ones go to heaven,
Still his heart beats for Croatia!
Adopted: 1861

http://cphpost.sites.itera.dk/

A lovely land is ours
With beeches green about her
Encircled by the sea
Her hills and vales are manifold
Her name, of old, is Denmark
And she is Freya's home
King Christian stood by the tall mast in smoke and mist;
his sword was hammering so hard,
that the Swedes' helmets and brains cracked.
Then sank every enemy stern and mast in smoke and mist.
"Flee," they screamed, "flee as flee can!
Who can stand up to Denmark's Christian in battle?"
Adopted: 1828

http://www.baltictimes.com/

My native land, my joy, delight,
How fair thou art and bright!
And nowhere in the world all round
Can ever such a place be found
So well beloved as I love thee,
My native country dear!

FINLAND

http://www.helsinki-hs.net/

Our land, our land, our fatherland,
Sound loud, O name of worth!
No mount that meets the heaven's band.
No hidden vale, no wave-washed strand.
Is loved, as is our native North.
Our own forefathers' earth.

http://www.berlinonline.de/

 Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Über alles in der Welt,
Wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze
Brüderlich zusammenhält.
Von der Maas bis an die Memel,
Von der Etsch bis an den Belt,
Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Über alles in der Welt.

Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang,
Sollen in der Welt behalten
Ihren alten schönen Klang,
Uns zu edler Tat begeistern
Unser ganzes Leben lang.
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang.

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Für das deutsche Vaterland.
Danach laßt uns alle streben
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand
Blüh' im Glanze dieses Glückes,
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!

Germany, Germany over all
Above everything in the world
When, always, for protection and defense
Brothers stand together.
From the Maas to the Memel
From the Etsch to the Belt,
Germany, Germany over all
Above all in the world.

The German anthem is now shortened to just the final verse, having been shorn of its first two historic verses, as they have been found to be sufficiently xenophobic that they might reawaken a spirit of conquest in Germany if sung on the streets. If you hear a German singing it, or humming it, please contact the following http://www.polizei.de/

GREECE

http://www.athensnews.gr

We knew thee of old,
Oh, divinely restored,
By the lights of thine eyes
And the light of thy Sword
From the graves of our slain
Shall thy valour prevail
As we greet thee again-
Hail, Liberty! Hail!
(repeat previous two lines three times)
Adopted: 1864

http://www.budapestsun.com

Isten áldd meg a magyart

Isten, áldd meg a magyart
Jó kedvvel, boséggel,
Nyújts feléje védo kart,
Ha küzd ellenséggel;
Bal sors akit régen tép,
Hozz rá víg esztendot,
Megbunhodte már e nép
A múltat s jövendot!

O, my God, bless the Magyar...
With Thy plenty and good cheer!
With Thine aid his just cause presses on,
When his foes appear to fight....
Fate, who for so long did it frown on him,
Bring him now happy times and ways;
These people have atoned!
Guard them from future fears!

http://www.jpost.com

As long as deep in the heart,
The soul of a Jew yearns,
And towards the East
An eye looks to Zion,

 LITHUANIA

http://www.baltictimes.com/

Lithuania, my homeland, land of heroes!
Let your Sons draw strength from the past.
Let your children follow only the paths of virtue,
working for the good of their native land and for all mankind.

New Zealand

http://www.stuff.co.nz

God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

Men of every creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our free land.
From dishonour and from shame,
Guard our country's spotless name,
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nations' van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.

 POLAND

http://www.warsawvoice.pl/

(DABROWSKI’S MAZURKA)

Jeszcze Polska nie zginela

 Kiedy my zyjemy,

 Co nam obca przemoc wziela,

 Szabla odbierzemy.

 Marsz, marsz Dabrowski,

 Z ziemi wloskiej do Polski

 Za Twoim przewodem,

 Zlaczym sie z narodem.

 Przejdziem Wisle, przejdziem Warte

 Bedziem Polakami,

 Dal nam przyklad Bonaparte

 Jak zwyciezac mamy.

 Marsz, marsz, Dabrowski...

Jak Czarniecki do Poznania

 Po szwedzkim zaborze

 Dla Ojczyzny ratowania

 Rzucil sie przez morze.

 Marsz, marsz Dabrowski...

Poland has not yet Perished

So long as we Live (and remain),

What the foe by force has seized,

With Sword in hand we will re-gain.

Hej Sokoly- English

Pity, pity pity for the girl, and for the Green Ukraine.

Pity, pity, the heart it weeps, for I shall never see you

Hey, hey, hey, but the falcons skip over the mountains,

the forests, and holes in the ground...

So ring, ring, ring the bell, my prarie lark.

Well she's the only one that stayed there,

My little swallow, on the Green Ukraine

Next to that lovely, lovely girl.

Give me wine, wine, wine, and if I die,

Bury me there, on the Green Ukraine

Next to that lovely lovely girl

HEY SOKOLY IN ORIGINAL POLISH

Zal zal za dziewczyna,
za zielona Ukraina,
Zal, zal serce placze,
juz, cie nigdy nie zobacze.

Hej, hej, hej sokoly,
Omijajcie góry, lasy, doly,
Dzwon, dzwon, dzwon dzwoneczku,
Mój stepowy skowroneczku.
Hej, hej, hej sokoly,
omijajcie góry, lasy, doly,
Dzwon, dzwon, dzwon dzwoneczku,
mój stepowy dzwon, dzwon, dzwon...

Ona jedna tam zostala,
jaskóleczka moja mala,
na zielonej Ukrainie,
przy kochanej tej dziewczynie.

Hej, hej, hej sokoly...

Wina, wina, wina dajcie,
a jak umre pochowajcie,
na zielonej Ukrainie,
przy kochanej tej dziewczynie...

Hej, hej, hej sokoly...

QUEBEC

 RUMANIA

http://www.pressreview.ro/EN/index.cfm

Awaken thee, Romanian, shake off the deadly slumber
The scourge of inauspicious barbarian tyrannies
And now or never to a bright horizon clamber
That shall to shame put all your nocuous enemies.

http://www.scotsman.com/

SCOTLAND THE BRAVE
Bagpipe Instrumental

http://www.slovakspectator.sk/

Lightning flashes over the Tatra, the thunder pounds wildly,
Let us pause, brothers, they will surely disappear, the Slovaks will revive.
This Slovakia of ours has been fast asleep until now,
But the thunder and lightning are encouraging it to come alive,
Adopted: 1993

SOUTH AFRICA

http://www.sowetan.com/

Die Stem van Suid-Afrika

(the old anthem before 1994)

Uit die blou van onse hemel, uit die diepte van ons see,
FROM THE BLUE OF OUR HEAVEN, FROM THE DEPTHS OF OUR SEA,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes waar die kranse antwoord gee,
OVER OUR ETERNAL MOUNTAIN RANGES WHERE THE CLIFFS GIVE ANSWER TO
Deur ons ver-verlate vlaktes met die kreun van ossewa -
THROUGH OUR FAR-DESERTED VALLEYS WITH THE GROAN OF OX-WAGON
Ruis die stem van ons geliefde, van ons land Suid-Afrika.
RISES THE VOICE OF OUR BELOVED, OF OUR COUNTRY SOUTH AFRICA

Ons sal antwoord op jou roepstem, ons sal offer wat jy vra:
WE WILL ANSWER TO YOUR CALLING, WE WILL OFFER WHAT YOU ASK
Ons sal lewe, ons sal sterwe - ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika
WE WILL LIVE, WE WILL DIE - FOR YOU, SOUTH AFRICA

In die merg van ons gebeente, in ons hart en siel en gees,
IN THE MARROW OF OUR BONES, IN OUR HEART AND SOUL AND SPIRIT,
In ons roem op ons verlede, in ons hoop of wat sal wees,
IN THE GLORY OF OUR PAST, IN OUR HOPE OF WHAT WILL BE,
In ons wil en werk en wandel, van ons wieg tot aan ons graf -
IN OUR WILL AND WORK AND WANDER, FROM OUR CRIB TO OUR GRAVE -
Deel geen ander land ons liefde, trek geen ander trou ons af.
SHARE NO OTHER LAND OUR LOVE, WILL NO OTHER WIN OUR TRUST.

Vaderland! ons sal die adel van jou naam met ere dra:
FATHERLAND! WE WILL BEAR YOUR NAME WITH HONOUR:
Waar en trou as Afrikaners - kinders van Suid-Afrika.
DEDICATED AND TRUE AS AFRIKANERS - CHILDREN OF SOUTH AFRICA.

In die songloed van ons somer, in ons winternag se kou,
IN THE SUNGLOW OF OUR SUMMER, IN THE WINTERNIGHTS SO COLD,
In die lente van ons liefde, in die lanfer van ons rou,
IN THE SPRING OF OUR LOVE, IN THE MOURNING OF OUR LOSS,
By die klink van huweliks-klokkies, by die kluitklap op die kis -
AT THE SOUND OF WEDDING BELLS, AT THE SHUTTING OF THE COFFIN -
Streel jou stem ons nooit verniet nie, weet jy waar jou kinders is.
SOOTHES YOUR VOICE US NEVER IN VAIN, YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILDREN ARE.

Op jou roep se ons nooit nee nie, se ons altyd, altyd ja:
AT YOUR CALL SAY US NEVER NO, SAY US ALWAYS, ALWAYS YES:
Om te lewe, om te sterwe - ja, ons kom Suid-Afrika.
TO LIVE, TO DIE - YES, WE COME SOUTH AFRICA.

Op U Almag vas vertrouend het ons vadere gebou:
ON YOUR ALMIGHT STEADFAST ENTRUSTED HAD OUR FATHERS BUILT:
Skenk ook ons die krag, o Here! om te handhaaf en te hou -
GIVE TO US ALSO THE STRENGTH, O LORD! TO SUSTAIN AND TO PRESERVE -
Dat die erwe van ons vad're vir ons kinders erwe bly:
THAT THE GROUND OF OUR FATHERS REMAIN THE GROUND OF OUR CHILDREN
Knegte van die Allerhoogste, teen die hele wereld vry.
SERVANTS OF THE ALMIGHTY, AGAINST THE WHOLE FREE.

Soos ons vadere vertrou het, leer ook ons vertrou, o Heer -
AS OUR FATHERS HAD FAITH, TEACH US AS WELL TO BELIEVE, O LORD -
Met ons land en met ons nasie sal dit wel wees, God regeer.
WITH OUR LAND AND WITH OUR NATION WILL IT BE WELL, LORD RULES.

 -----------------------------------------

The New post 1994 Anthem

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika (Gods Bless Africa)

(click to hear it)

The new South African anthem, instituted by the new majority ruled government,

 replaced 'The Call of South Africa.' It is sung in four languages officially reflecting the population groups in SA:

Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English, by verse in order.

Unofficially, the Afrikaans and English parts are not sung by the majority of South Africans.

This song is often claimed as the National Anthem of all of Africa, and goes like this:

 

Zulu / Xhosa First Verse

Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika,
Malupnakanyisw' udumo lwayo;
Yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi sikelela,
Nkosi sikelela,

Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika,
Malupnakanyisw' udumo lwayo;
Yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi sikelela,
Malupnakanyisw' udumo lwayo;

Woza Moya (woza, woza),
Woza Moya (woza, woza),
Woza Moya, Oyingcwele.
Nkosi, sikelel' lai la.

Sesotho Second Verse

Morena boloka sechaba sa heso
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,
Morena boloka sechaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho.

O se boloke, o se boloke,
O se boloke, Morena

o se boloke.
Sechaba sa heso, Sechaba sa Afrika.

Zulu / Xhosa final Verse

Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika,
Malupnakanyisw' udumo lwayo;
Yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi sikelela,


Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika,
Malupnakanyisw' udumo lwayo;
Yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi sikelela,
Thina lusapho lwayo.

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika!

 

 Translation

Lord, bless Africa
May her spirit rise high up
Hear thou our prayers
Lord bless us.

Lord, bless Africa
May her spirit rise high up
Hear thou our prayers
Lord bless us Your family.

Chorus
Descend, O Spirit
Descend, O Holy Spirit
Lord bless us
Your family.

Finally, the way it is sung officially

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika,

Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,

Yizwa imithandazo yethu,

Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.

Morena boloka setjhaba se heso,

O fedise dintwa la matshewenyeho,

O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,

Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika.

Uit die blou van onse hemel,

Uit die diepte van ons see,

Oor ons ewige gebergtes,

Waar die kranse antwoord gee.

Sounds the call to come together,

And united we shall stand,

Let us live and strive for freedom,

In South Africa our land.

http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/

http://www.stockholmsfria.nu/

One free, ancient country
Ye high mountained north
Ye silent and free
and so delightful
We greet you as loveliest
land upon earth
Your shining sun, your sky
Your pastures green
(repeat previous two lines)
You rest on your memories
of days great and past
When all round the world
your name was honoured
I know that you'll always remain
the way you were
In my own Nordic land
I'll live forever
(repeat previous two lines)
Adopted: 1880

http://www.zsz.ch/

When the morning skies grow red
And o'er us their radiance shed,
Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light.
When the Alps glow bright with splendour,
Pray to God, to Him surrender,
For you feel and understand,
(repeat)
That He dwelleth in this land.
(repeat)
In the sunset Thou art nigh
And beyond the starry sky,
Thou, O loving Father, ever near.
When to Heaven we are departing,
Joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting,
For we feel and understand
(repeat)
That Thou dwellest in this land.
(repeat)
When dark clouds enshroud the hills
And gray mist the valley fills,
Yet Thou art not hidden from Thy sons.
Pierce the gloom in which we cower
With Thy sunshine's cleansing power
Then we'll feel and understand
(repeat)
That God dwelleth in this land.
(repeat)
Adopted: 1965

UKRAINE

http://www.ukraine-observer.com/

Ukraine is not yet dead, nor its glory and freedom,
Luck will still smile on us brother-Ukrainians.
Our enemies will die, as the dew does in the sunshine,
and we, too, brothers, we'll live happily in our land.

 THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/johnnycash/raggedoldflag.html

 Click above for lyrics

UNION FORCES: CIVIL WAR

THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on.

cho: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps
l can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps
His day is marching on.

cho: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnish`d rows of steel,
"As ye deal with my contemners, So with you my grace shall deal;"
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel
Since God is marching on.

cho: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat.
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat.
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

cho: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

ln the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

cho: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

Listen to God Bless America

Listen to America the Beautiful

Listen to Amazing Grace

Listen to My Country Tis of Thee

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/or/home_eng.html

O Rome immortal, city of martyrs and saints,
O immortal Rome, accept our praises.
Glory in the heavens to God our Lord
And peace to men who love Christ!
To you we come, angelic Pastor,
In you we see the gentle Redeemer.
You are the holy heir of our Faith,
You are the comfort and the refuge of those who believe and fight.
Force and terror will not prevail,
But truth and love will reign.

WALES

AUSTRALIA  (click to hear it!)

http://www.smh.com.au/index.html

Australians all let us rejoice
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia Fair.
Adopted: 1984

http://www.open.by/belarus-now/

The free wind has sung free songs to thy name,
Green woods caught them with friendly voices,
The sun called with its flame to a seed-time far-famed,
The stars poured faith into broken forces.

http://www.awb.co.za/boerevolk_e.htm

Hoor die geknars
Hoor die geknars
Hoor die geknars van voete op mars.
Hoor die gedreun Hoor die gedreun
Hoor die gedreun
oor velde heen.
Stryders op mars, ideale vervars
wat skyn en veraad met veragting haat.
Brandende vuur wat geen knegskap verduur,
maar gebore uit liefde en smart.
Bied ons weerstand, so gloeiend,
gebrand in ons hart.
O mag God ons bewaar
met die trek van die laer,
om ons strydende land te bewaar. Ons sal werk, ons sal groei.
Ons sal veg, ons sal bloei,
vir ons ou Boere land.

*The Boer Nation is not an indpendent one, and this anthem is for a nation which, like the Kurds or Quebecois, may at some point breakaway from South Africa.

 BULGARIA

http://www.sofiaecho.com/

Proudly rise the Balkan peaks,
At their feet Blue Danube flows;
Over Thrace the sun is shining,
Pirin looms in purple glow.

CHORUS
Oh, dear native land,
Earthly paradise!
For your loveliness, your beauty
E'er will charm our eyes.

Countless warriors bravely fell,
For the people's sacred cause;
Give us strength and firmness, Mother,
Guide us on the road they chose.

Be as one, Bulgarians!
Moscow stands by us again;
For our vailiant Party leads us
On to victory and fame!
CHORUS

 CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA (1861-1865)

DIXIE

Southrons, hear your country call you,
Up, lest worse than death befall you!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Lo! all the beacon-fires are lighted,--
Let all hearts be now united!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!

Advance the flag of Dixie!
Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Dixie's land we take our stand,
And live or die for Dixie!
To arms! To arms!
And conquer peace for Dixie!
To arms! To arms!
And conquer peace for Dixie!

Oh Hear the Northern thunders mutter!
Northern flags in South winds flutter!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Send them back your fierce defiance!
Stamp upon the cursed alliance!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!

Chorus

Fear no danger! Shun no labor!
Lift up rifle, pike, and sabre!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Shoulder pressing close to shoulder,
Let the odds make each heart bolder!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!

Chorus

Then I wish I was in Dixie

Hurrah, Hurrah

In Dixie Land we take our stand to live and die for Dixie

Oh way, oh way, oh way down south... in Dixie!

  THE CZECH REPUBLIC

http://www.praguepost.com/

Where is my home, where is my home?
Water bubbles across the meadows,
Pinewoods rustle among crags,
The garden is glorious with spring blossom,
Paradise on earth it is to see.
And this is that beautiful land,
The Czech land, my home.
(repeat)
Where is my home, where is my home?
If, in a heavenly land, you have met
Tender souls in agile frames,
Of clear mind, vigorous and prospering,
And with a strength that frustrates all defiance,
That is the glorious race of the Czechs,
Among Czechs is my home.
(repeat)
Adopted: 1919

http://www.londonobserver.com/

God Save the Queen

 This anthem is official for the entire UK and not "just" England, but it originated for that country.

 http://europa.eu.int/index_en.htm

Beethoven's 9th Symphony fragment: Ode to Joy is the anthem of the new European Superstate. It it played with no words, though the original had an operatic backdrop. Perhaps the superstate has no need for words.

http://www.afp.com/english/home/

Allons enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !
Contre nous de la tyrannie,
L'étendard sanglant est levé, (bis)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats ?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras
Egorger vos fils et vos compagnes !

Refrain

Aux armes, citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons,
Marchons, marchons !
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons !

Français, en guerriers magnanimes,
Portez ou retenez vos coups !
Epargnez ces tristes victimes,
A regret s'armant contre nous. (bis)
Mais ces despotes sanguinaires,
Mais ces complices de Bouillé,
Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié,
Déchirent le sein de leur mčre !

-----------------------------------

Let 's go, children of the nation,
The day of glory has arrived
against us stands tyranny-
its bloody flag is raised, its bloody flag is raised!

Do you hear it in the fields?
the soldiers baying in the distance?
they come to us, into our arms,
and slit the throats of women and son!  So...

TO ARMS, ALL CITIZENS!

Lets form the batallions!
March on, march on, that invaders' impure blood
waters the furrows of our fields!

TO ARMS, ALL CITIZENS!
Lets form- the batallions!
March on, march on, and invaders' impure blood
shall water the furrows of our fields!

Under our flags that brings the victory
send out the message in your fearsome accent
see to your triumph... and our glory

To arms! all citizens!
Lets form our batallions!
March on, march on, so the invaders' impure blood
shall water the furrows of our fields!

Tremble now, oh you tyrants, perfidious fools!
the opprobrium of our parties is arisien

Tremble as your terrible designs

at last receive their deserv-ed prize!

For it is everything to our soldiers to fight you

and if they fall, these young heroes,

the Earth itself; will yield up its soul

and rally all and all!

Adopted: 1789

http://www.spearhead.com/

Rule Britannia
1740

When Britain first, at Heaven's command
Arose from out the azure main,
Arose from, arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter, the charter of the Land
And Guardian Angels sang this strain:

Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves.
Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves

Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful from each foreign stroke;
More dreadful, dreadful from each foreign stroke.
As the loud blast, the blast that tears the skies
Serves but to root the native oak.

Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves.
Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves.

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame;
All their attempts to bend thee down;
All their, all their attempts to bend thee down.
Will but arouse; arouse thy gen'rous flame,
But work their woe and their renown.

Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves.
Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves.

The Muses still with Freedom found
Shall to thy happy coast repair;
Shall to thy happy, happy coast repair.
Blest isle with matchless, with matchless beauty crown'd,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.

Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves.
Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves!
Britons never, ever, ever shall be slaves.

This is an old and unofficial anthem

highlighting the British Empire's

triumph on the seas.

 HOLLAND

http://www.parool.nl/

William of Nassau am I, of Germanic descent;
True to the fatherland I remain until death.
Prince of Orange am I, free and fearless.
To the King of Spain I have always given honour.

http://www.ireland.com/

The Soldier's Song

We'll sing a song, a soldier's song,
With cheering rousing chorus,
As round our blazing fires we throng,
The starry heavens over us;
Impatient for the coming fight,
And as we wait the morning's light,
Here in the silence of the night,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Soldiers are we
whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
Some have come
from a land beyond the waves.
Sworn to be free,
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal,
We will chant a soldier's song.

In valley green, on towering crag,
Our fathers fought before us,
And conquered beneath the same old flag
That's proudly floating over us.
We're children of a fighting race,
That never yet has known disgrace,
And as we march, the foe to face,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Soldiers are we
whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
Some have come
from a land beyond the wave.
Sworn to be free,
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal,
We will chant a soldier's song.

Song For Ireland

Drinking all the day
In old pubs where fiddlers love to play
Saw one touch the bow
He played a reel which seemed so grand and gay
Stood on Dingle Beach and cast
In wild foam we found Atlantic bass
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Ireland

Dreaming in the night
I saw a land where no one had to fight
Waking in your dawn
I saw you crying in the morning light
Sleeping where the falcons fly
They twist and turn all in your air-blue sky
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Adopted: 1926

God Save Ireland

High upon the gallows tree swung the noble hearted three
By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their bloom
But they met him face to face with the courage of their race
And they went with souls undaunted to their doom.

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall!

Climbed they up the rugged stair, rang their voices out in prayer
Then with England's fatal cord around them cast
Close beside the gallows tree kissed like brothers lovingly
True to home and faith and freedom to the last.

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall!

Never till the latest day shall the memory pass away
Of the gallant lives thus given for our land
But on the cause must go, amidst joy and weal and woe
Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand.

God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall!

ITALY

http://www.italy-news.net/index_eng.php3

Italian Brothers,
Italy has awakened,
She has wreathed her head
With the helmet of Scipio.
Where is Victory?
She bows her head to you,
You, whom God created
As the slave of Rome.

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/english/

Yes, we love with fond devotion
This our land that looms
Rugged, storm-scared o'er the ocean,
With her thousand homes.
Love her, in our love recalling
Those who gave us birth.
And old tales which night, in falling
Bring as dreams to earth.
And old tales which night, in falling
Bring as dreams, as dreams to earth.

LUXEMBOURG

http://www.tageblatt.lu/Edition/

Where slow you see the Alzette flow,
The Sura play wild pranks,
Where lovely vineyards amply grow,
Upon the Moselle's banks,
There lies the land for which our thanks
Are owed to God above,
Our own, our native land which ranks
Well foremost in our love.
(repeat previous two lines)

PORTUGAL

http://www.the-news.net/

Heroes of the sea, noble race,
Valiant and immortal nation,
Now is the hour to raise up on high once more
Portugal's splendour.
From out of the mists of memory,
Oh Homeland, we hear the voices
Of your great forefathers
That shall lead you on to victory!

RHODESIA (click to hear it!)

http://www.theindependent.co.zw

Rise, O voices of Rhodesia.
God may we thy bounty share
Give us strength to face all danger and,
where challenge is, to dare.
Guide us, Lord, to wise decision,
ever of thy grace aware.
Oh, let our hearts beat bravely always,
for this land within thy care.

Rise, O voices of Rhodesia,
bringing her your proud acclaim,
Grandly echoing through the mountains,
rolling over far-flung plain.
Roaring in the mighty rivers, joining in
one grand refrain,
Ascending to the sunlit heavens,
telling of her honoured name.

*Rhodesia is now erased from the nations of the Earth 

http://www.gateway2russia.com/

http://www.pww.org

THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIONALE
Arise, ye prisoners of starvation,
Arise, ye wretched of the earth!
For justice thunders condemnation,
A better world's in birth.
No more traditon's chain shall bind us,
Arise ye slaves, no more in thrall!
The earth shall rise on new foundation,
We have been none, we shall be all.
CHORUS
'Tis the final conflict,
Let each stand in his place.
The International, shall be the human race.
(repeat chorus)
No saviour from on high delivers
No faith have we in prince or peer
Our own right hand the chains must shiver
Chains of hatred, greed and fear
E'er the thieves will out with their booty
And give to all a happier lot.
Each at the forge must do their duty
And we'll strike while the iron is hot.
CHORUS
Behold them seated in their glory,
The kings of mine and rail and soil!
What have you read in all their story,
But how they plundered toil!
Fruits of the people's toil are buried,
In the strong coffers of a few.
In voting for their restitution,
The workers only ask their due.
CHORUS
No more deluded by reaction,
On tyrants only we'll make war.
The soldiers too will take strike action,
They'll break ranks and fight no more.
And if those cannibals keep trying,
To sacrifice us to their pride.
They soon shall hear the bullets flying,
We'll shoot the generals on our own side.
CHORUS
We are the Party of all labour,
The whole earth shall be ours to share.
And every race and craft our neighbour,
No idle class shall linger there!
Like vultures on the wealth we render,
From field and factory, mill and mine.
Tomorrow's sun shall shine in splendour,
And light us 'till the end of time.
CHORUS
Adopted as Anthem of USSR: 1921
Anthem Replaced: 1944 WITH:

"An Unbreakable Union Great Russia has Sealed"

Phonetic Transliteration from Cyrillic to Latin alphabet 

Latin Transliteration

Soyuz nerushimi respublik svobodnikh

Splotila naveki Velikaya Rus'.

Da zdravstuyet sozdanni volei narodov,

Yedini moguchi Sovyetski Soyuz!

CHORUS

Slav'sya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye,

Druzhbi narodov nadezhni oplot!

Partia Lenina - sila narodnaya

Nas k torzhestvu Kommunizma vedet!

Skvoz' grozi siyalo nam solntse svobodi,

I Lenin veliki nam put' ozaril:

Before 1977: Nas virastil Stalin - na vernost' narodu,

After 1977: Na pravoe delo on podnyal narodi,

Na trud i na podvigi nas vdokhnovil!

CHORUS

V pobyedye bessmyertnykh idey Kommunizma

Mi vidim gryadushchee nashey strani,

I krasnomu znamyeni slavnoi Otchizni

Mi budyem vsegda bezzavyetno verni!

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 Motherland, 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!

Through tempests the sunrays of freedom have cheered us,

Along the new path where great Lenin did lead.

Before 1977: Be true to the people, thus Stalin has reared us,

Inspire us to labour and valorous deed!

After 1977: To a righteous cause he raised up the peoples,

Inspired them to labour and valorous deed.

CHORUS

In the vict'ry of Communism's deathless ideal,

We see the future of our dear land.

And to her fluttering scarlet banner,

Selflessly true we always shall stand!

CHORUS

NEW RUSSIA

http://www.mn.ru/english/

Anthem of the Russian Federation

Music by Alexander Alexandrov
Words by Sergei Mikhalkov

Russia, our holy country!
Russia, our beloved country!
A mighty will, a great glory,
Are your inheritance for all time!

Refrain:

Be glorious, our free Motherland!
Eternal union of brotherly peoples,
Common wisdom given by our forebears,
Be glorious, our land, for we are proud of you!

From the southern seas to the polar region
Spread our forests and our fields.
We are unique in the world, inimitable,
Oh our Native Land protected by God!

Wide spaces for dreams and for living
Are opened for us by the coming years
Faithfulness to our country gives us strength
Thus it was, so it is and ever shall be!

Adopted: 2000

http://www.vesti.de/

God of Justice; Thou who saved us
when in deepest bondage cast,
Hear Thy Serbian children’s voices,
Be our help as in the past.
With Thy mighty hand sustain us,
Still our rugged pathway trace;
God, our hope; protect and cherish
Serbian crown and Serbian race!
Bind in closest links our kindred
Teach the love that will not fail,
May the loathed fiend of discord
Never in our ranks prevail.
Let the golden fruits of union
Our young tree of freedom grace;
God, our Master! guide and prosper
Serbian crown and Serbian race.
Lord! Avert from us Thy vengeance,
Thunder of Thy dreaded ire;
Bless each Serbian town and hamlet,
Mountain, meadow, heart and spire.
When our host goes forth to battle
Death or victory to embrace—
God of armies! be our leader
Strengthen then the Serbian race.
On our sepulchre of ages
Breaks the resurrection morn,
From the slough of direst slavery
Serbia anew is born.
Through five hundred years of durance
We have knelt before Thy face,
All our kin, O God! deliver,
Thus entreats the Serbian race.
ADOPTED: 1904

Hail Serbia

I have seen the rising tide of hatred against your land 
Western leaders grovel like sheep over scraps from natos hands 
The bombs of terror that rain on you only strengthens your resolve 
Nato force says that your leaders must hand over the power they hold 

Serbia - you are our beacon light 
You give us hope in our hearts 
Serbia - you can stand with your heads high 
Because of you, our spirit will not die 

America dictates your fate & fights to keep you lame 
Their murdering ways to keep you down hides well behind a peacekeepng name 
Our media guns show your sport as you cleann your lands away 
But where was this peacekeeping force when you were raped by the kla 

Now you might ask me why my country decided to get involved 
But i can't tell you what you seek because they answer to the power of gold 
Unseen forces that hide away that no - one man can see 
But serbia can smash the locks of doors that hold no key

Hail Serbia!

c.2000

http://www.sta.si/en/

God's blessing on all nations,
Who long and work for that bright day,
When o'er earth's habitation
No war, no strife shall hold its sway;
Who long to see
That all man free
No more shall foes, but neighbours be.
Who long to see
That all man free
No more shall foes, but
No more shall foes, but neighbours be.

SPAIN

http://www.madridnews.com/

Instruemental