Anthems

We, like most of New Zealand watched the first Rugby World Cup (RWC) games on Friday and Saturday

The All Blacks beat Tonga, but the ABs were a little rusty, and definitely took their foot of the pedal in the second half.

However, I do not intend to go on about the RWC, except about the national Anthems.

For some reason the organisers have decided to use recordings of all of the anthems, played just before the game starts.
Fair enough, as there are so many games being played, all over the country it's probably cheaper and much more convenient to use the recordings.

BUT

LaSenza's Cup Size Choir

 

 

Now it would be a bit more interesting if they used this choir

For some reason they've used recordings produced by a choir, and while choral music can be very beautiful, the sound produced is rather dull, and lacks the emotional intensity produced by a really good soloist.  I like the national Anthem of my adopted country, and sung by a talented soloist (Like Westenra) it can produce an emotional lump in the throat, but the choir is just "nice"

HOWEVER

My real rant didn't crystallise until I watched the games on Saturday.  Scotland, the land of my birth, was playing Romania (Well done Romania, you certainly gave them a fright) and the traditional song, Flower of Shetland) was sung.  Now I can remember a time when singing that song was banned at public events. Originally sung by the Folk Group; "The Corries", it is a highly emotional and evocative song, bringing back Scotland's history of continual warfare with the English until well into the 18th century (and up to the present day if sporting events can be seen as a sort of toned-down warfare.) (It doesn't matter who wins, as long as England loses)
The anthem sung at all public events was "God save the Queen".  This was sung in all areas of the United Kingdom.

Officially, "God save the Queen" is still the National Anthem of all 4 countries which make up the UK, so it's the British National Anthem.

I therefore ask the question, when England was playing Argentina last night , why was "God save the Queen" sung, and with a cation which stated that this was the ENGLISH ANTHEM?

Couldn't they be a bit more original and sing "Jerusalem"instead?

It's not the ENGLISH ANTHEM you bunch of morons, its the F*CKING BRITISH ANTHEM

GET IT RIGHT.

I would also like to add the following:

1. I'm sorry the Argentinians lost, the played exceptionally well
2. Wilkinson's off form
3. The English team played like a bunch of boozed-up lager-louts; the ref. should have sent off a lot more, maybe even a red card.
4. I'm really sorry the English won
5. Don't forget the Falklands (Las Malvinas)

But on the positive side, if they ever play The All Blacks with those tactics, then:

1. They'll lose, big time
2. They'll end up with half of their players in hospital (the ABs not being as forgiving as the Argies when it comes to retaliation)

At least I've heard that live soloists will be singing for all of the finals.

Go the ABs.

OR ELSE.