I really do not like my National Anthem (I'm Irish) , can you think of a suitable alternative?

Question

The irish national Anthem is Amhrán na bhFiann (the Soldier's Song). It was written in the early 1900 when many of the population wanted freedom from British rule.

First verse..
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'll chant a soldier's song

One verse even talks about Saxon foe although Britain is also made up of Celts, Vikings, Angles, Jutes, Romans etc etc. Why are the poor Saxons singled out hee hee !

It's not exactly peace loving song wihch I think the modern ireland deserves.

No racist, flammatory remarks please.

Answer 1

Funny Ulick O connor was just talking about this in Saturdays Evening Herald. He referred to the Stupidity of the Words in the Soldiers Song and also God Save the Queen got the same Treatment from him. He Admired the Marseillaise as a Brilliant Rousing Anthnm even if the Words were a bit Strange and also gave credit to the Star Spangled Banner. and also the Welsh Anthnm Land of our Fathers.
He Suggested A Nation Once Again by Thomas Davis


A Nation Once Again

When boyhoods fire was in my Blood
I read of Ancient Freemen,
for Greece and Rome who bravely stood,
three hundred men and three men,
and then i prayed I yet might see
our fetters rent in twain,
and Ireland, long a province, be;
A Nation once Again

Chorus
A Nation once Again
A Nation once Again
And Ireland, long a province,be
A Nation once Again

According to Ulick it was the Unofficial Anthmn in the 19 Century. How good a Song it is can be seen from the fact that in 2002 it was voted the Worlds most popular Song according to a BBC World Service Global Poll of Listeners. He also said it was suited to a Mass Audience like a Football Match.

The other Song is of course The Rugby Song Irelands Call
I dont know all the words it goes something like this

Irelands Call
Ireland Ireland , Together Hand in Hand , Shoulder to Shoulder
We Follow Irelands Call.

I have heard some People dont like this Song But I like it it is Catchy and goes down a treat at Matches. I think Phil Coulter wrote it correct me if I am wrong.

I think the Soldiers Song is to Militaristic ,it has took on the Patina of the IRAto much and has become to much Associated with them all that Blood of the Murdered People that they are Guilty of the Past 30 Years and also The Tricolour we could do with a New Flag also to much Blood of the Terrorist on it.

Answer 2

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Saxons prob singled out as they were the ancestors of the modern English. Remember You are Celtic, Welsh people are Celtic (albeit they speak a different language - once spoken all over mainland UK including Scotland), Scottish people are Celtic, in fact Scots & Irish are the closest relatives today "Celt-wise".

Personally speaking, go with "C'est la vie" by B*witched. Louis Walsh is a total ****, but that song is bright & bouncy & there's even a bit of Irish jigging in it & some penny whisltes!

Or perhaps the theme tune from Father Ted & get Daniel O'Donnell to stick some naff lyrics on the top of it (LOL)!

Answer 3

It's the old chip on the shoulder bit, I suppose. Look at the Scots, with their 600 year old battle. Must confuse the hell out of the French.

By the way, what song is used as the anthem before a rugby match? It isn't (I assume) the Republic's. Was it specially written just for the IRFU? Any chance you can E-mail me, because I've been wondering for ages.

Answer 4

As a good part Saxon, Englishman with a wee bit of Irish in me, I tend to favour the 'Irish Rover' as a very good choice for the new National Anthem

Answer 5

how about the following for your new anthem:

where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
where knowledge is free;
where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic wars;
where words come out from the depth of truth;
where tireless striving stretches its arm towards perfection;
where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action-
into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.


i'm sure you can play with these words to suit your country's new anthem, should you wish to change.

Answer 6

How about The Proclaimers, Cap In Hand. Although it's not particularly peace loving...

Answer 7

i just love that irish song. oh you're drunk you're drunk you silly old **** but you still cannot see. i've probably got the words wrong but i think that would make the best anthem in the world and put a smile on everyones face.something we could all do with.

Answer 8

Now Patrick McGinty, an Irishman of note
Fell in for a fortune and he bought himself a goat
Says he: "Sure of goat's milk I'm going to have me fill"
But when he brought the Nanny home he found it was a Bill
All the young ladies who live in Killaloo
They're all wearing bustles like their mothers used to do
They each wear a bolster beneath their petticoat
And leave the rest to providence and Paddy McGinty's goat

Missis Burke to her daughter said: "Listen Mary Jane
Who was the man you were cuddling in the lane?
He'd long wiry whiskers a hanging from his chin"
"'Twas only Pat McGinty's goat", she answer'd with a grin
She went away from the village in disgrace
She came back with powder and paint on her face
She'd rings on her fingers, she wore a sable coat
You bet your life she didn't get those from Paddy McGinty's goat

Now Norah McCarthy the knot was goin' to tie
She washed out her trousseau and hung it out to dry
Along came the goat and he saw the bits of white
And chewed up all her falderals, and on her wedding night
"Oh, turn out the light quick", she shouted out to Pat
For though l'm your bride, sure l'm not worth looking at
I had two of ev'rything, I told you when I wrote
But now I've one of nothing all thro' Paddy McGinty's goat

Mickey Riley he went to the races t'other day
He won twenty dollars and shouted: "Hip Hooray!"
He held up the note shouting: "Look at what I've got!"
The goat came up and grabbed at it and swallowed up the lot
"He's eaten my banknote", says Mickey with the hump
They went for the doctor and they got a stomach pump
They pumped and they pumped for the twenty dollar note
But all they got was ninepence out of Paddy McGinty's goat

Now ould Paddy's goat had a wondrous appetite
And one day for breakfast he had some dynamite
A big box of matches he swallowed all serene
Then out he went and swallowed up a quart of paraffin
He sat by the fireside, he didn't give a hang
He swallowed a spark and exploded with a bang
So if you go to heaven you can bet a dollar note
That angel with the whiskers is Paddy McGinty's goat

Answer 9

Something by the pogues perhaps. Or that track by the pogues and the dubliners together. Sweet.

Answer 10

What about the Internationale?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationale

Avoids nationalism altogether. I also think the Marseillaise is wonderful.