These are definitely interesting. Just lightly comparing them to some of our patriotic music, I can feel the newness of our country compared to England. I really like the hymn "I Vow to Thee My Country", and I think we should steal it. Oh, wait. It is probably too religious for America.
TOO religious? Compared to..."God Bless America"? The second verse to "The Star Spangled Banner?" "America the Beautiful"?
My British friends assure me that should an MP or any other politician ever end a speech with "God bless the UK," he or she would be laughed out of the room, and never hope to win an election. In the US, can you imagine the fuss that would result if a political speech did NOT end with "God bless America"?
Too old school Protestant, maybe, but only just. I'd say American patriotic songs are plenty religious. It may be that we are just uncomfortable with Other countries considering themselves to be Chosen, when we know full well that WE are the only Chosen ones, right? ;-)
Jersualem! the "last night of the proms 2008" video was what I thought was embarrassing because they still sing about such a ridiculous idea, and take it so seriously.
I played the "I vow to thee my country" tune in high school orchestra! Go Gustav Holtz. We could totally steal it for the US. I wouldn't be like it was the first time we stole a patriotic song from England. (Am I weird in that every time I hear someone play "My Country 'tis of Thee," I think the words for "God Save the King"?)
Wow! I guess you're right! Jesus did go somewhere other than palestine and it's not ridiculous.... haha thanks for putting that into perspective for me!
These are definitely interesting. Just lightly comparing them to some of our patriotic music, I can feel the newness of our country compared to England. I really like the hymn "I Vow to Thee My Country", and I think we should steal it. Oh, wait. It is probably too religious for America.
ReplyDeleteIs it bad that my initial reaction to that was "this is so embarrassing!"
ReplyDeleteTOO religious? Compared to..."God Bless America"? The second verse to "The Star Spangled Banner?" "America the Beautiful"?
ReplyDeleteMy British friends assure me that should an MP or any other politician ever end a speech with "God bless the UK," he or she would be laughed out of the room, and never hope to win an election. In the US, can you imagine the fuss that would result if a political speech did NOT end with "God bless America"?
Too old school Protestant, maybe, but only just. I'd say American patriotic songs are plenty religious. It may be that we are just uncomfortable with Other countries considering themselves to be Chosen, when we know full well that WE are the only Chosen ones, right? ;-)
@Alyssa--which song embarrassed you?
Jersualem! the "last night of the proms 2008" video was what I thought was embarrassing because they still sing about such a ridiculous idea, and take it so seriously.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that Jesus went somewhere other than Palestine?
ReplyDeleteI played the "I vow to thee my country" tune in high school orchestra! Go Gustav Holtz. We could totally steal it for the US. I wouldn't be like it was the first time we stole a patriotic song from England. (Am I weird in that every time I hear someone play "My Country 'tis of Thee," I think the words for "God Save the King"?)
ReplyDeleteWow! I guess you're right! Jesus did go somewhere other than palestine and it's not ridiculous.... haha thanks for putting that into perspective for me!
ReplyDelete