National Anthems (again)

[Duncer]

Kim Little, the Scottish striker in the team GB (U bloody K) side refused to sing the National Anthem before the game against New Zealand, and her grandfather, a 72 year old SNP voter, explained why.

"It's her decision and I support it 100%. I would have done the same myself. It's the National Anthem of England and she is Scottish".

Mmmm, where to start?

It's the National Anthem of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland sir, not England, and being Scottish does not preclude you from being British.

I firmly believe that all shades of political opinion should be given respect, but this small minded parochialism does no favours to anyone. I'm not saying people should be forced to sing their anthem, in fact I would do away with ALL anthems, but if you are going to refuse to sing then at least get your facts right.

[Duncer]

"No it's not, duncer - anthems should be about telling everyone else how big and glorious that country is.

Ours isn't about stirring up patriotic feelings, it's about the Monarch - and it's a dirge."

I didn't say ours was about that, but most are, and they are silly. Self praise is no recommendation as my mother used to say.

Ours is, as you say, a dirge although, if the Queen is to be saved, then who better too it than an omnipotent being?

[Caribeing]

Americans, Germans, etc put Great Britain to shame when they embrace their National Anthem, Great Britains should be proud to sing God Save the Queen and show some patrionism especially at this historic time of 2012 Olympics. Ryan Giggs silent along with Kim Little are a disgrace, Giggs should count himself lucky being given a sporting place in the Olympics after his seedy indiscretions.

[Wharton]

Duncer
If the 'sh1t' barb was meant for me I'm sorry if I offended you. I was only agreeing with you about the daftness of anthems, and don't call me 'sir'.....you sound like the polis.

[TheNovice]

well said Mary T

[MarkRae]

> Great Britains should be proud to sing God Save the Queen

Why? Because you say so? As previously stated I neither believe in God nor that the Queen, as representative of the monarchy, should be saved. Therefore, for me to sing it would be totally hypocritical!

That does not make me unpatriotic - quite the reverse, I'd say!

[boxtops]

Great Britains? We're British, not Great British!

[MarkRae]

I think she means 'Britons'...

[ladybirder]

It didn't sound like a dirge when Brian May played it from the roof of Buckingham Palace. It sounded fantastic. Better without the words perhaps:-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4nsifplvpk

[boxtops]

I thought that too, MR....

[jno]

It's the National Anthem of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

It is only if you think it is. There's no law, it's never been officially adopted; it's just custom and practice, and people are free to ignore it if they want.

[MarkRae]

At least it is mercifully short! If you've ever been to a sporting event in the USA, the part at the beginning when some local has-been bawls their way through their national anthem seems to take for ever. This was parodied brilliantly with Bleeding Gums Murphy performed it in The Simpsons...

[weecalf]

Flags and national tunes should not be part of the games .I though this was to bring the whole of the world together as one big family .So we will be one big family if we get flying our flag and our tune is played .what about happy birthday as a tune played as its gonna be the olympics birthday what ever birthday 7 million or what ever ,Still wish the guy had taken the bus

[joeluke]

If she can't bring herself to mouth a few words in time to the tune of the national anthem then she shouldn't be representing GB

Same goes for that runt Wayne Rooney when he plays for England

[Duncer]

"If the 'sh1t' barb was meant for me I'm sorry if I offended you. I was only agreeing with you about the daftness of anthems, and don't call me 'sir'.....you sound like the polis."

Wharton - I wasn't the least bit offended, and I agree entirely about your point; I just thought you were trying to start a little debate and decided to stay out of it in case I got accused of being sectarian. You know how sensitive some people can be when it comes to Ireland?

Sorry you picked me up the wrong way but I don't offend easily; I'm a bit thicker skinned than that.

[Duncer]

"It is only if you think it is. There's no law, it's never been officially adopted; it's just custom and practice, and people are free to ignore it if they want."

This misses my point entirely, and I have no problem with people chosing to ignore it if they wish. It is not the anthem of England, it is the anthem of the United Kingdon of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.