RANT CORNER

[greenmark]

Wow, never expected my comment to raise all those issues, good to see politics is not dead in the forum! I accept all the comparisons made with Scotland (I so wish independence on them! ), Wales and NI and put my hand up to the points made but one thing that is indisputable is that none of them (including the English) are German which was my point. I appreciate the difficulty in finding a neutral tune for the whole of the UK but German and EU was not perhaps the most sensitive choice!

The Royal family are German... (and once big supporters of Hitler)..

I appreciate "Ode to Joy" (or freedom) seems a Germanic anthem. But it really isn't. it's simply a magnificent musical piece. The lyrics should inspire any team.
Joy, thou shining spark of God,
Daughter of Elysium,
With fiery rapture, goddess,
We approach thy shrine!
Your magic reunites those
Whom stern custom has parted;*
All men will become brothers*
Under your protective wing.

Let the man who has had the fortune
To be a helper to his friend,
And the man who has won a noble woman,
Join in our chorus of jubilation!
Yes, even if he holds but one soul
As his own in all the world!
But let the man who knows nothing of this
Steal away alone and in sorrow.

All the world's creatures draw
Draughts of joy from nature;
Both the just and the unjust
Follow in her gentle footsteps.
She gave us kisses and wine
And a friend loyal unto death;
She gave the joy of life to the lowliest,
And to the angels who dwell with God.

Joyous, as His suns speed
Through the glorious order of Heaven,
Hasten, brothers, on your way
Exultant as a knight victorious.

Be embraced, all ye millions!
With a kiss for all the world!
Brothers, beyond the stars
Surely dwells a loving Father.
Do you kneel before Him, oh millions?
Do you feel the Creator's presence?
Seek Him beyond the stars!
He must dwell beyond the stars.

[sionascaig]

The Royal family are German... (and once big supporters of Hitler)..

I appreciate "Ode to Joy" (or freedom) seems a Germanic anthem. But it really isn't. it's simply a magnificent musical piece. The lyrics should inspire any team.....

mmmm, if you take out the religious nonsense would be tempted to agree.

Spark of wonder, bright and bold,
Daughter of Elysium,
With ecstatic fire, we unfold,
Our hearts at your anthem!

Your magic brings together those,
Divided by harsh decree;
All will find kinship, we suppose,
Under your sheltering tree.

Let the friend who's always there,
And the one who found love's embrace,
Raise their voices in joyous prayer,
Let celebration take its place!

Yes, even if just one soul they hold,
As their own in this vast sphere,
But those who never this story unfold,
May find solace, and disappear.

All the world drinks from nature's cup,
Both the righteous and the wrong,
In her gentle steps, they all step up,
Where they belong.

She grants kisses, wine's delight,
And a friend who's ever true,
She offers life, both dark and bright,
To all beneath the endless blue.

Elated, like celestial rays,
Streaking through the cosmic plan,
Brothers, onward, let's find our ways,
Victorious, hand in hand.

Embrace, all millions, far and wide!
A world united in one kiss!
Beyond the stars, where dreams reside,
Perhaps a loving source exists?

Do you kneel, oh countless throngs?
Do you sense a maker's hand?
Seek beyond the starlight songs,
There's mystery in that promised land!

[greenmark]

The Royal family are German... (and once big supporters of Hitler)..

I appreciate "Ode to Joy" (or freedom) seems a Germanic anthem. But it really isn't. it's simply a magnificent musical piece. The lyrics should inspire any team.....

mmmm, if you take out the religious nonsense would be tempted to agree.

Spark of wonder, bright and bold,
Daughter of Elysium,
With ecstatic fire, we unfold,
Our hearts at your anthem!

Your magic brings together those,
Divided by harsh decree;
All will find kinship, we suppose,
Under your sheltering tree.

Let the friend who's always there,
And the one who found love's embrace,
Raise their voices in joyous prayer,
Let celebration take its place!

Yes, even if just one soul they hold,
As their own in this vast sphere,
But those who never this story unfold,
May find solace, and disappear.

All the world drinks from nature's cup,
Both the righteous and the wrong,
In her gentle steps, they all step up,
Where they belong.

She grants kisses, wine's delight,
And a friend who's ever true,
She offers life, both dark and bright,
To all beneath the endless blue.

Elated, like celestial rays,
Streaking through the cosmic plan,
Brothers, onward, let's find our ways,
Victorious, hand in hand.

Embrace, all millions, far and wide!
A world united in one kiss!
Beyond the stars, where dreams reside,
Perhaps a loving source exists?

Do you kneel, oh countless throngs?
Do you sense a maker's hand?
Seek beyond the starlight songs,
There's mystery in that promised land!

Well I'm at the mercy of wikipedia. English is my only language. Is there a link to your translation?
But even so, I don't mind the religious references. It was written in a time that religion was very, very powerful and for some now still is.

But there's a lot in those lyrics that transcends religion.

On balance though I'd much rather listen to a Beethoven Sonata or his Pastoral symphony. But they wouldn't really scan for an athletic spectacle wouold they?

[sionascaig]

Well I'm at the mercy of wikipedia. English is my only language. Is there a link to your translation?
But even so, I don't mind the religious references. It was written in a time that religion was very, very powerful and for some now still is.

But there's a lot in those lyrics that transcends religion.

On balance though I'd much rather listen to a Beethoven Sonata or his Pastoral symphony. But they wouldn't really scan for an athletic spectacle wouold they?

I just ran your lyrics through Bard & told it to remove religious references.

[greenmark]

Well I'm at the mercy of wikipedia. English is my only language. Is there a link to your translation?
But even so, I don't mind the religious references. It was written in a time that religion was very, very powerful and for some now still is.

But there's a lot in those lyrics that transcends religion.

On balance though I'd much rather listen to a Beethoven Sonata or his Pastoral symphony. But they wouldn't really scan for an athletic spectacle wouold they?

I just ran your lyrics through Bard & told it to remove religious references.

Oh OK. Ta for that!

I do wonder what is the alternative potential motivating tune/song.

How about Argent's "Hold your head up".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBnSWJHawQQ

[sionascaig]

Oh OK. Ta for that!

I do wonder what is the alternative potential motivating tune/song.

How about Argent's "Hold your head up".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBnSWJHawQQ

Problem solved:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nnnM- ... =MaxKellar

[greenmark]

Oh OK. Ta for that!

I do wonder what is the alternative potential motivating tune/song.

How about Argent's "Hold your head up".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBnSWJHawQQ

Problem solved:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nnnM- ... =MaxKellar

Thanks for bringing that back to the front of my mind. A comedic genuis.
And I could not possibly disagree.
Accept for when we sing the National Anthems. Be that England, Scotland or Wales. Then I have to admit I get quite emotional.

[firlandsfarm]

The Royal family are German... (and once big supporters of Hitler)..

Maybe, maybe not ... probably depends on how you define nationality. They are definitely of German descent but does that make them German? If so where does that leave all the offspring of 1st generation immigrants to the UK? They usually claim to be British if born in the UK. Wouldn't that make the Royal family British or are 2nd generation immigrants of the nationality of their parents? If so at what level of generation does nationality switch?

[sionascaig]

The Royal family are German... (and once big supporters of Hitler)..

Maybe, maybe not ... probably depends on how you define nationality. They are definitely of German descent but does that make them German? If so where does that leave all the offspring of 1st generation immigrants to the UK? They usually claim to be British if born in the UK. Wouldn't that make the Royal family British or are 2nd generation immigrants of the nationality of their parents? If so at what level of generation does nationality switch?

Yes...Was stirring a pot that probably doesn't need to be stirred )

[firlandsfarm]

Oh OK. Ta for that!

I do wonder what is the alternative potential motivating tune/song.

How about Argent's "Hold your head up".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBnSWJHawQQ

Problem solved:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nnnM- ... =MaxKellar

Brilliant sketch, one of his best and he had many best's

[Derek27]

flipping kids think the supermarket aisle is a racetrack.

[greenmark]

flipping kids think the supermarket aisle is a racetrack.

revisit your smaller self. I remember rushing through my local all-purpose apartment store. This was before shops specialised. Toys, crockery, clothes etc. But the thing that ignited my 6 year old brain was the rows of towering rolls of carpets. Crikey what a H&S by today's standards. It was like a weird smelling, multi-coloured forest.
So cut the sprogs some slack. Unless they are rude. Then chuck 'em in a freezer compartment and shut the lid.

[Derek27]

Two clocks outside London Liverpool Street station and neither of them work!

[Archery1969]

Two clocks outside London Liverpool Street station and neither of them work!

Blame Rishi

[Derek27]

Crossed over the road outside London Liverpool Street. What's the big deal about that I hear you ask.

It must be a big deal to the 20 people by the roadside waiting for the green man to light. They stood and watched in awe.