Can You Recite the National Anthem of Your Country?
By zim1fW
@zim1fW (285)
Philippines
11 responses
@Nilman (59)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
It's hard to recite the lyrics of my country's national anthem. The words are not the typical words you use for everyday conversations. I can barely get to the fifth line. I can sing it though, with 100% accuracy, with regards to the lyrics.
@frozenfire (208)
• United States
24 Apr 10
I know paritally two others besides my own, but I defintely know my anthem. I play instrumental music for scouts and veterans, a unque group- so the anthem is a regular. Having the music in mind, lyrics are manageable to remember. I've heard some pretty bad renditions of it though haha. :)
@zim1fW (285)
• Philippines
24 Apr 10
I agree with your observation that "having the music in mind, lyrics are manageable to remember" because that game my friends play when were high school was actually reciting the anthem (not singing) in rote. All of us mastered SINGING the anthem but we have hard time remembering the lyrics when we recite them as if you're reading it (again not singing without a tempo or sound in mind).
@Angelwriter (1954)
• United States
13 Jul 10
I can recite the first verse of my national anthem (the United States one). Which a lot of Americans can do. But, not many people can recite the next three verses. Neither can I. Or even know they exist, for that matter.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
27 Jun 10
Without music I can only get through the first sentence. With musical accompaniment, I can get through pretty much the whole thing.
@coolklicker (49)
• Philippines
1 May 10
Nope, I can't. I just tried it right now and I ended up reciting it with the same cadence as how it is sang, but in monotone. And then I lose my concentration and forget the words because I realize I'm not doing it right so I have to start all over again. I have to say I sound really weird.
@oldchem1 (8132)
•
6 May 10
Yes I can and I also can recite the 3rd verse (Thy greatest gift's in store, on her be pleased to pour').
All comes from going to Brownies and Guides in the 50s and 60s when a these things were part of the stuff you learnt along with flags, patron saint etc
@samson1967 (7414)
• India
24 Apr 10
National anthem is the song to remember for every national festivals, hence I cannot forget my nations anthem, and I can recite them always with 100% accuracy.
@holesworth (220)
• Australia
24 Apr 10
I can recite the Australian national anthem - 'Advance Australia Fair' - with great gusto. In fact, I can recite both its verses; which is odd when you consider the fact that many Aussies aren't even aware that a second verse exisists.
When I was in primary school, the current national anthem replaced 'God Save the Queen'. There was a great educational emphasis on the school children learning the new anthem, so we sang it every morning at assembly.
There are still some people who believe - and strongly advocate - that 'Waltzing Matilda' should replace 'Advance Australia Fair'. While it may well be the unofficial national anthem of Australia, it's about a swagman who drowns himself to avoid capture by police after he steals a sheep to eat. Not really the sort of representation that I'd like in a national anthem, I have to say.
