Written by: Jordan Pearson (2013)
Edited by: Paige Newhouse (February 2015)
Germany
| Deutschlandlied Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Für das deutsche Vaterland – Danach lasst uns alle streben Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand! Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Sind des Glückes Unterpfand. Blüh’ im Glanze dieses Glückes, Blühe, deutsches Vaterland! Blüh’ im Glanze dieses Glückes, Blühe, deutsches Vaterland! |
Song of Germany Unity and Right and Freedom For the German Fatherland! After these let us all strive Brotherly with heart and hand! Unity and Right and Freedom Are the pledge of happiness. Bloom in the splendour of this happiness, Bloom, my German Fatherland! Bloom in the splendour of this happiness, Bloom, my German Fatherland! |
Analysis
One of the most recognizable anthems in the Western World, “Deutschlandlied” or “The Song of Germany” was written in 1841 and became Germany’s national anthem in 1922. The Nazis retained the anthem when they came to power in 1933, manipulating the first verse, “Deutschland über alles, über alles in der Welt” or “Germany above all, above all in the world”, and further adding a verse about the party to support their ideology. [1] When WWII ended, the Allies banned the anthem because of its former ties with National Socialism. However, in 1990 a re-unified Germany adopted the third verse as its national anthem. While no verses are banned today, official performances only use the third verse and many view performing the first verse as a right-wing extremist act. [2]
Learn more about national identity in Germany and Fußballspieler Mesut Özil!
Portugal
| A Portuguesa Heróis do mar, nobre povo, Naçao valente, imortal, Levantai hoje de novo Os esplendor de Portugal Entre as brumas da memória. Ó Pátria sente-se a voz Dos teus egrégios avós Que há-de guiar-te à vitória. CHORUS: Às armas! Às armas! Sobre a terra, sobre o mar! Às armas! Às armas! Pela Pátria lutar! Contra os canhões marchar, marchar! |
The Song of the Portuguese Heroes of the sea, noble race, Valiant and immortal nation, Now is the hour to raise up on high once more Portugal’s splendour. From out of the mists of memory, Oh Homeland, we hear the voices Of your great forefathers That shall lead you on to victory! CHORUS: To arms, to arms On land and sea! To arms, to arms To fight for our Homeland! To march against the enemy guns! |
Analysis
In 1890, the British gave the Portuguese an ultimatum in regards to territorial control in Africa, sparking protests throughout the country. “A Portuguesa” was written as a protest and call to arms against the British. Indeed, the last line of the chorus originally read, “Contra os bretões marchar, marchar” (Against the British we march, we march!), though that has been changed to “canhões” (enemies). [3]
Christiano Ronaldo is Portugal’s player to watch. Read more here.
Ghana
| God Bless Our Homeland Ghana God bless our homeland Ghana And make our nation great and strong, Bold to defend forever The cause of Freedom and of Right; Fill our hearts with true humility, Make us cherish fearless honesty, And help us to resist oppressors’ rule With all our will and might evermore. And help us to resist oppressors’ rule With all our will and might evermore. |
Analysis
Philip Ghebo composed the music for this anthem in 1957, and Ghana selected the current lyrics in 1966 after holding a national contest. [4] “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana,” speaks to ideals of courage, humility, honesty and resilience. It is a powerful declaration of independence.
Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan is sure to turn heads. Click here to read more!
United States of America
| The Star Spangled Banner Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? |
Analysis
Francis Scott Key wrote “Defense of Fort McHenry”, now known as “The Star Spangled Banner”, after seeing the American flag flying during battle in 1814. Though he never intended it to be set to music, Key’s brother-in-law Judge Joseph H. Nicholson noticed that the poem fit the popular tune “The Anacreontic Song.” After gaining popularity within the military, “The Star Spangled Banner” officially became the national anthem of the United States in 1931. [5]
Americans play the “Star Spangled Banner” at nearly all sporting events, not just international ones. Unlike the World Cup, where an instrumental version is played, at US sporting events Americans listen to the anthem in silence as someone sings the lyrics, either a cappella or with accompaniment (this video shows the US national anthem at an NFL game). You can see that none of the players sing along and most of the sound is from the crowd cheering, not singing, until the last stanza. However, looking at videos of the US national anthem from past world cups, US fans seem to have caught on to singing the national anthem at soccer games, even if not all the players sing.
References
[1] “Deutschlandlied.” britannica.com. Ed. 23 July 2013. Web. 1 March 2015.
[2] “Germany » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
[3] “Portugal » nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
[4] “Ghana» nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
[5] “United State» nationalanthems.info.” nationalanthems.info. Ed. David Kendall. Web. 9 Dec 2013.
How to cite this article: “National Anthems: The Music of the World Cup,” Written by Jordan Pearson (2013), Edited by Paige Newhouse (2015), World Cup 2014, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp (accessed on (date)).
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