Comments on: Bob Jones on the National Anthem

By: Dazzaman

Dazzaman — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 23:19:29 +0000

Our anthem is great, one of the truly great anthems, no doubts. Like the monarchy & the flag, it should remain the status quo for decades I’d say…The only decent thing Bob Jones has to espouse on is boxing & business, probably in that order. Though he is right that it is overdone.

The French anthem is overrated, doesn’t stir my blood one bit…a garbled, nonsensical gibberish set to an average tune is NOT a great anthem. Time they just got with the program & spoke English. I do like the Japanese anthem, I have not a clue what they’re singing about either but musically it’s well done.

By: V

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:04:36 +0000

Maybe its just that a good version hasn’t been done in a while.
This one seemed to improve the tone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbfFoiz3XOM

By: mikenmild

mikenmild — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:36:17 +0000

Force schoolchildren to sing it daily with pride and gusto.

By: gravedodger

gravedodger — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:33:37 +0000

Just speed up the tempo and cease the interpretive licence employed by so many performers trying too hard to be different.

By: mikenmild

mikenmild — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:30:44 +0000

Yes, because if you sing a song you are absolutely committing to its sentiments. Take that commie atheists!

By: rightoverlabour

rightoverlabour — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:18:32 +0000

Have to agree about the Soviet anthem. Its a “kick arse – don’t F&*k with us” anthem. Actually lot of Europe’s anthems are pretty good. However, the one little bit of satisfaction I get with the present NZ anthem/hymn is how may die- hard atheists pray this hymn every time its sung…

By: BlairM

BlairM — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:19:27 +0000

I love the lyrics of our anthem. They were written by Thomas Bracken, a fine poet and the first New Zealand patriot. The music, not so much, but if there are any budding composers out there who can do better, they should give it a burl. My favourite line is "May our mountains ever be... freedom's ramparts on the sea". How beautiful is that?! It's up there with Churchill and "We will defend our island..." New Zealanders should be proud of their anthem, and those wonderful words. If you want a kickarse version, you can do no better than either the bombastic '80s Closedown Annie Crummer rendition, or the more reflectively indigenous, but equally powerful Cindy Ruakare.

By: mikenmild

mikenmild — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:08:31 +0000

There’s nothing wrong with our national anthems – GDNZ and GSTQ. There is a lot wrong with the opinions of Bob Jones on, well, everything.
LOL @Pete George 12.29pm wanting a translation of the Maori verse!

By: kowtow

kowtow — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 05:21:50 +0000

Cultural cringe with a hint of republicanism.

La Marsellaise? Yes let’s sing about murdering fellow citizens who oppose our illegal regicide revolution.Same with their national day,celebrate murdering prison guards.

Casablanca? Bollocks,the Vichy opposed the Allied landings and even executed French soldiers who assisted those landings,after they had joined the Allies!
In Syria,the French fought against the Allies and after surrendering a majority of the Vichy army refused to join the Allies .

Real patriots! But there won’t be any Hollyweird movies about that collaboration.

By: bhudson

bhudson — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 04:12:01 +0000

@RRM,

Dave Dobbyn? Surely not. This would be a better contender….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYvMeT2GC14

A more catchy tune. And so true.

By: Ricardo

Ricardo — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 04:05:31 +0000

The Welsh have the best national anthem. Google it sung by the crowd at Millennium Stadium to make you spine tingle. Go on, try it.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:49:38 +0000

Bob must be bored

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:49:16 +0000

Put it to Dave Dobbin and Neil Finn

By: James Stephenson

James Stephenson — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:51:21 +0000

@Tom

Sheep is out of date, it’s all about dairy these days

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFM_ZvkYQQs&w=560&h=315

By: Harriet

Harriet — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:40:54 +0000

‘Tomorrow belongs to me’…

Andrew Bolt once posted that….it was sung very well too!

By: Tom Jackson

Tom Jackson — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:33:20 +0000

Topical

By: Tom Jackson

Tom Jackson — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:21:19 +0000

This would turn heads

By: Richard Hurst

Richard Hurst — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:17:47 +0000

‘Tomorrow belongs to me’…

By: adamsmith1922

adamsmith1922 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:14:40 +0000

to Alan Johnstone

La Marseillaise celebrates battle and resistance and was for many an anthem of revolution. It is a superb tune.

GDNZ is a dirge. Unfortunately we would probably replace it with another dirge especially if we adopted a Dave Dobbyn tune, eg Loyal probably one of the worst songs ever.

By: Falafulu Fisi

Falafulu Fisi — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:05:09 +0000

New Zealand could adopt this tune as a National Anthem. WHY? Because it is very short (1 minute long).