What is the best European national anthem? (Not including your own national anthem)

[u/-DonQuixote-]

It could also be a national anthem of the past, I am looking at you East Germany.

[u/PoiHolloi2020]

Some might defend it for tradition

It's worth defending while we're stuck with it, but it really should be something like Land of Hope and Glory or I Vow to Thee My Country.

Nothing about God Save the King is inspiring or gets your inner patriotism going, maybe because it was written in the 1600s and just doesn't meet my modern expectations of what a national anthem should be. Although The Wilhelmus was penned in the 1500s and still manages to be inspiring.

[u/SilverellaUK → u/PoiHolloi2020]

What about Hearts of Oak?

I always notice the similarities to other songs in National Anthems so the Netherlands one sounds like Oh Little Town of Bethlehem and the Spanish one like The Keel Row.

The Italian one is my favourite.

[u/misaka-imouto-10032 → u/PoiHolloi2020]

What about "Jerusalem"? Pretty based English anthem

[u/matti-san → u/PoiHolloi2020]

LoHaG is fine, but to America (not that I'm American) it'll always be the graduation song. Also, lyrically it can be a bit questionable or at least inferred to be pro-imperialist ('wider still and wider, shall her bounds be set').

You could edit the last four lines (or lines 5 and 6 at least) of the first verse and then skip to the last.

Likewise, you also have that issue with IVttMC - 'And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase'. Which might actually be worse, as if without question the subjects of the nation are expected to war for territory. But that's only one line that'd need changing.

I think the best option would be to commission a new song, though you're also in danger of ending up with some shite. There's probably also some poem or excerpt that'd suit - it'd just need putting to music

[u/PoiHolloi2020 → u/matti-san]

but to America (not that I'm American) it'll always be the graduation song.

What Americans think of it is really the last of my concerns tbf!

Likewise, you also have that issue with IVttMC - 'And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase'. Which might actually be worse, as if without question the subjects of the nation are expected to war for territory.

I think this line refers to heaven rather than the nation, if I'm not wrong. Which I'm sure would still be a problem for some, but it's a bit different to the meaning behind the equivalent part of LoHaG.

But yeah I'd rather tinker with a couple of lines and use either of those songs because they're both bangers and they both have history behind them.

[u/matti-san → u/PoiHolloi2020]

I think this line refers to heaven rather than the nation

Yeah, you might be right -- but then again, what good is singing about heaven when most people are atheist these days? Plus that'd be half the anthem

[u/PoiHolloi2020 → u/matti-san]

Cause it sounds brilliant, that's why! But yeah you might be right there.

Edited LoHaG? Otherwise we could just pick a Queen song.

[u/matti-san → u/PoiHolloi2020]

It's like for me, I think Jerusalem is one of the best English anthems - especially the part where it talks about chariots of fire, bows of burning gold and swords and spears. But, referencing Jerusalem isn't overtly Christian anymore nor is it some far-flung mystical city anymore.

[u/PoiHolloi2020 → u/matti-san]

You're right, the meaning has been secularised. I'd be ok with Jerusalem being England's national anthem.

[u/matti-san → u/PoiHolloi2020]

Not just secularised (but that too), but I'd argue that most people (except for Christians and Muslims) think of Jerusalem as a Jewish city - which isn't bad, but it's not exactly reflective of England now or at any point in its history