Your National Anthem..... Inspiring? Or do you just go through the motions?

When I hear our own National Anthem, "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER", I feel sad. The saddness comes when I hear the words, "Home of the free and land of the brave.". As the nation sinks ever more into debt, is futher burdened with excessive government regulation, and is tryannized by Political Correctness, I think to myself, "Who's free and where are the brave?".

When I hear the Philippine National Anthem, I feel a sense of nationalism and it even sometimes make me cry. I think that my country is well past it's glorious days and it's just next to impossible to restore that lost glory. My national anthem speaks of the valiant ancestors who fought for freedom from the conquerors, it speaks of the Philippines as the pearl of the orient, and love for the country. But now, I can't feel the meaning of the anthem anymore. Sometimes though it makes me proud because I personally think that it sounds majestic.

I'm very proud of my National Anthem and it does fill me with pride. Or maybe it's just me and since I grew up in another country, I've always loved anything Indian and felt a great bond to the country. I always stop when I hear the national anthem and stand still and my husband always makes fun of me....I guess he's one like you...lol But my son takes after me....he plays the national anthem on the keyboard and makes sure he is standing when he does it. He's only 7 and when he is a little older, I will tell him what the words of the National anthem means (because it is not in our mother tongue)....but I get goosebumps every time I hear it sung or played.

I am a citizen of the United States of America. Every time I hear our National Anthem, I get teary eyed and get chills. I find the words very inspiring!

The Star Spangled Banner brings tears to my eyes every time it is played. When possible I stop what I am doing, and stand during the anthem. The only time I don't stand is when I am driving. Otherwise if I hear that great anthem, I stop whatever I am doing and pay homage to my great nation. To many, the anthem is just a song. BUt that s also because many don't examine the anthem the way it should be. A simple song written in the midst of war, but seeing a piece of cloth still flying inspired on man so much that he had to write something. A song that states the grandeur of the American Nation. That no matter what, through pain and sorrow, through peace and war, through good and bad, our nation remains standing strong. We may not be perfect, but we can handle whatever comes our way.

As an American, I do feel pride and patriotism each time I hear our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner". I came to feel this sense of patriotism more once I became aware of the song's origins. It was actually written as a poem, by Francis Scott Key, during the American "War of 1812" with the British. Mr. Key was being detained by the British outside the port of Baltimore, Maryland during the Battle of Baltimore. Aboard his ship, Mr. Key watched as Baltimore was bombarded. The lines of the poem/song actually speak of what he saw: "The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" "Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there" (flying over the fort) "Oh say, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave" These lines remind me that though America may not be perfect, our struggle to become a nation, and maintain our freedom was not easily won or maintained. Not only during the revolution, but through other wars, like the War of 1812, the World Wars, etc; many brave men gave their lives so that I can enjoy the freedoms I have, and continue to do so today. I honor our country and its peoples each time I hear The Star Spangled Banner. I feel very blessed to have been born in the United States and I try to remain cognicant of that blessing every day.

I used to just murmur when we were told to sing our national anthem, I really don't like the feeling of it. But after realizing how strong the words were, I just told myself to pay at least some respect for my country's pride and glory. But just lately, musicians and composers are trying to find ways in maybe changing some words written in it. I'm not sure why or what words were those, I guess some people are not contented from what they receive and will do almost everything to have their name written under that song..

I am American and proud to be. Our national anthem was inspired by the defense of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It is one of the most powerful, inspiring stories I have ever heard and I believe it embodies everything this nation stands for and is meant to be... I definitely feel a true sense of pride every time I hear it and think back to the American Revolution where we gained our independence, and the people who made the sacrifice for it. What does sadden me is that so many people don't seem to have a firm grip on the history, don't understand why we're free, and just don't seem to care... or they say they care but don't really show it. Both this and the fact that we have this whole movement going on trying to stray further and further away from the vision of our founding fathers are very scary thoughts to me... of course that's a different story all together, not to mention a debatable one... But yes, our national anthem does make me proud I have a lot of ancestors who served this nation in our armed forces from the American Revolution to the Persian Gulf War, so I feel a deep gratitude towards them especially. Whenever I hear the national anthem, all that it symbolizes and was inspired by comes back to me, and I do feel like standing tall and proud...

I don't think I've ever sung along with mine. it's a joke. God Save the Queen. come off it. I'm not a Christian, and I think the monarchy are a waste of space and money. so the song is utterly meaningless to me. I love my country. I love my home, I love the Earth beneath my feet that sustains me. flags and monarchs and anthems and football teams have nothing to do with real patriotism.

Since our anthem is "God save the Queen" and I'm neither Christian or pro-Monarchy (not the current incarnation at any rate), it really does nothing for me. I'm not a fan of the Queen and Charles and his pro-fox hunting stance annoy me, so I'm not looking forward to whenever it is that he gets a toehold on the throne (although I think the Queen has decided to live forever). Neither of them inspire any sense of patriotism. I think there's hope with William though. He might bring back some pride when he gets to the throne.

The National Anthem here in my country is actually an inspiring song and I really love to sing it because it is really filled with emotions. Actually our national anthem has a very nice history that must be love by each and everyone of us. Anyway, I completely forgot some of the lyrics of our national anthem but the I could still remember most of it.

I love my country's anthem. It is like a prayer. I'll just share the first verse and chorus. Eternal Father Bless Our Land Guide us with Thy mighty hands Keep us free from Evil Powers Be our light Through Countless Hours To our Leaders great Defenders Grant True Wisdom From Above JJustice Truth be Ours, Forever Jamaica Land we love. Jamaica, Jamaica Jamaic Land we love. It has two verses and I love the tune to which it is song as well. (lol)

"Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen land is I believe how this should be translated, and not "Land of the morning" as how American did try to translate our national anthem into the English language) is what we have in the Philippines. It a rendition which expresses one's love for the country. However, most people know it as "Bayang magiliw" (roughly: lovely, even joyful, country - not sure of the exact translation) because it's first lines begin with this phrase. I feel that our national anthem, because of its music and message, is something that appeals me significantly. It's melody is a little mellow at first, then rythmyc like marching towards the end. It's music makes you really belt out at the last. It kind of induces a kind of proud feeling - music-wise, content-wise. But I am not sure if many Filipinos feel it fairly provocative as much as I do. When there are boxing matches (like Manny Pacquiao's these past few years), I really am feeling a chill in my spine when I hear Filipina singers belt our national anthem. I think it was meant to be that way. That people will feel an atmosphere of awe and profound joy at its' singing. Anyhow, since you have brought the topic of Olympics, I am one among the 80 million Filipinos who are constantly wishing to hear our national anthem finally sung during a medal awarding in it. We have'nt won any gold medal yet. The closest we've got are two silver medals, spanning almost 3 decades. Oh, well. I pray this is finally our moment.