National Anthems, Why?

Question

does Ireland apparently have two?

does the English team not stand to attention when theirs is played?

does Scotland not get a better tune and a less whining lyric?

Answer 1

rogerwi and welshchick have hit the nail on the head....there is none as emotional and poignant as "Hen wlad fy nhadau."

Answer 2

The Irish Rugby team is comprised of players from both the Irish Republic and from Ulster, which is for the time being part of the UK. The Irish national anthem is sung but also 'Irelands Call' a song written specifically for the Rugby so as not to alienate the northern ireland players.

As for the England team singing 'God Save the Queen', many English people want an anthem for England as they feel uncomfortable having to share a whole of Britain Anthem when Scots and Welsh get to have thier own.

The scots one is ok, although its typical that it is almost impossible to actually play on the bagpipes!!!

You didnt have an opinion on Welsh singing?

Answer 3

Ireland uses two anthems "amhrain na bhliain" which is the Irish national anthem, and "Irelands Call" a song which was written to allow players and fans from Northern Ireland of unionist background to join in singing, as they would not sing the Irish natiional anthem, which they consider to be a republican "call to arms". This was adopted at the time of the good friday agreement, when a lot of moves were made to make unionists feel more involved in the sporting and social fabric of Ireland as a whole. Irelands call does not enjoy widespread popularity in Ireland.

I haven't noticed that the English players do not stand to attention and I think Flower of Scotland is an excellent anthem - possibly one of the best in international sport along with The Marsellaise.

Answer 4

Ireland has to have 2 anthems cos it is two nations playing as one country. England sing the GB anthem. I'm not sure they actually have one of their own.Scotland have a beautiful anthem, it's just played a bit sow and dreary sometimes.

I know i'm biased, but Wales have the best anthem. 70,000+ Welshmen singing at the millenium stadium is the best sound in the world

Answer 5

we have 2 anthems sung in rugby: 1 is the national anthem for the republic of ireland, the second (irelands call, sung in english) is for UNITED ireland NOT northern ireland!! people often make this mistake!!

yes, i hae also noticed that some of the english players dont stand to attention when their anthem is being sung ( tut tut tut!!)

many people love the scottish anthem, it is very popular so that is why they havent changed it!!

hope i helped! =)

Answer 6

I sometimes question why we have them at all.

I suppose at the ground it does add to the pre-match thing.

Here in New Zealand we have two , one in English and one in Maori. So when we play Ireland thats 4 anthems plus the haka........ and I just want to watch a game of rugby.

Answer 7

In NZ we only have one anthem. It is sung in the two official languages of New Zealand. God knows why we bother to sing it in English. No other nation is going to sing in Te reo for us.

Answer 8

The only anthem which provides emotional excitement is the Welsh one.

Answer 9

England uses the National Anthem for the United Kingdom and most of them don't know the words.  (It's God save THE queen you morons!)  Perhaps they should sing "Dinah, Dinah, show us your leg" instead.

Answer 10

Unlike football, where there is 2 Irish  teams, in rugby, they only have one national team!

So therefore, we hear the national anthem of Northern Ireland as well as the anthem for the Republic of Ireland!

The English have a the BRITISH national anthem, in other words, the English do NOT have their own anthem!

As for Scotland.........I agree

Why cant everyone be like the Welsh;-)