Anthems of Canada and Israel

This assignment was somewhat difficult for me to complete. Being born and brought up in America, I have never really thought about what goes into making a national anthem. So i thought about it and i have made my own judgment that Tagore really couldn't accurately create the national anthem for two separate countries. An anthem should be something thats intimate with its specific country and only one who has been a patriot and has gone through ups and downs in their country could accurately depict what a country stands for.

I have chosen the Israeli and Canadian National Anthems to decipher.

Israel's anthem when translated goes as so:

As long as deep in the heart,
The soul of a Jew yearns,
And forward to the East
To Zion, an eye looks
Our hope will not be lost,
The hope of two thousand years,
To be a free nation in our land,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

Canada's National anthem

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

In Hatikvah the Israel National anthem, it was created in the 1878 by Naphtali Herz Imper, he was a poet and i feel as though he captures the true esscence of the Jewish people in his anthem. He talks about how the Jews are on a search for Zion their homeland and how our souls still earn for the answers of life, and that we have been looking for it for more than 2000 years. Now this anthem was created about seventy years before the formation of Isreal i still feel as though this anthem depicts the true beliefs of the Jewish people.

In Canadas National Anthem, was written in the 1880's by Robert Stanley Weir, who was a poet and judge in Canada. Wiers anthem is not an English translation of the original French anthem, but just a similar one with some similarities. But i feel as though Canadas anthem is one that supports Nationalism within Canada. It talks of standing together, and i feel as though countries anthems should be this similar to Canadas, unless you are talking about history of the country. Nonetheless, i happen to like the Canadian anthem because it just gives you a good feeling when you read, at least i get one and im not even from Canada.

As for the American National Anthem, while it accurately depicts what the country was like during the Revolutionary War it is not even close to the current state of our country. Nonetheless, the anthem still talks about how even though the fire and flames of bombs and being attacked that our flag was still waving strong, and that is still true today. Even after the atrocious acts of pearl harbor and 9/11 we still had our flags waving strong if not stronger. Plus America is still the home of the free and brave, although its changing a little its still home to anyone who wants to come here, legally of course. All three anthems i feel may not depict the country itself, but it does portray the people of the country, and i feel as though thats what really matters when your trying to create a logical accurate National Anthem..

Ecuador anthem vs. Venezuela anthem

Ecuador Anthem VS. Venezuela Anthem

Ecuador my country's anthem,
Reading about it is like it does tell me what my people and I feel. Because it is talking about what people did to defend my country, in my country these feelings still alive. I think more than Nationality and political view, it is patriotism that come from our soul. We always defend our people and our nation and we feel proud of what we have and how we succeed in our country. We think and we act according our feelings. Of course I can clearly recognize that this situation wasn't all the time, I still remember there were a time when I couldn’t really understand which sense make the national Anthem and the government rules in my country, but in the last three or four years it has been different. Exactly how the anthem express. With our new president I can say it! Our country is free and everybody can say that, it is a better country with freedom and justice.

Venezuela's national anthem, speaks of courage and justice, it talks about the people who fight for a nation free of injustice. In my opinion and according with what I heard, the people in Venezuela continue to struggle to achieve freedom. But according news and people who I know say the president is a person who has been thinking he has rights to create his own rules and regulations again the Venezuela's people, and I think that does not have anything to do with what the national anthem refers to their country.

National Anthems

The Bangladesh National Anthem, is one that focuses on nature, beauty, and has an overall maternal feeling. Their country is reflected as a mother and source of life. Peace and beauty are evident as well. When Tagore wrote this beautiful poem in 1906, it was during a time where a division of the country was taking place, the British, based on religion. It became the newly formed country’s national anthem in 1972, a year after its established independence. This poem's maternal and peaceful undertones were thought of a peaceful reminder of better days, during times of turmoil and strife. (http://asnic.utexas.edu/countries/bangla/bangladeshm.html)

The Indian National Anthem, written in 1911, is much different from its neighbor of Bangladesh. Here a focus is placed on war, tribes, and masculinity. Fighting and conflict seem to be the main difference. Although, both anthems were written and used later on, when these countries were struggling for their independence.

France vs. United States

France:

Let's go children of the fatherland,

The day of glory has arrived!

Against us tyranny's

Bloody flag is raised! (repeat)

In the countryside, do you hear

The roaring of these fierce soldiers?

They come right to our arms

To slit the throats of our sons, our friends!

Refrain:

Grab your weapons, citizens!

Form your batallions!

Let us march! Let us march!

May impure blood

Water our fields!

(http://french.about.com/library/weekly/aa071400ma.htm for English translation)

A very violent national anthem, France encourages their people to stand up and fight for their rights against aristocracy, and overthrow their king. It talks of blood, and urges people to fight for their freedoms. This is very in tune with the time it was written. Its creation was during the heat of battle for the French Civil War. Here, the French people overthrew the aristocracy.

Our national anthem has a more optimistic point of view than that of the French. Written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, it focuses more towards the future. During a battle, has the flag survived? And can this flag still represent our “home of the brave?”

Both anthems were written during very important wars that would impact the creation of the country for the future. However, the French anthem is urging people to rise against tyranny. The United States’ anthem, in contrast, values bravery and freedom.

National Anthems

Tagore's National Anthems
I think to write a national anthem one has to be from that particular country or have lived there for so many years that she identifies with that country. I think it is possible to understand a nation's people by interviewing them and doing scholarly research but I think to truly feel a deep emotional connection one's life has to be intertwined with that nation. I think Tagore's Bangladesh and Indian national anthems are very different. The Bangladesh anthem is very sentimental. There are many emotional words like "love", "heart", "sweet", "affection", "tenderness", "sadness", and "tears." He also focuses on the landscape of Bangladesh. He creates a picture of the nation. Also, by referring to Bangladesh as "mother" he creates a emotional connection to the nation. Mothers provide life, they nurture us, and generally we always go back to our moms in times of need and joy. It is usually a lifelong and unbreakable bond. So by referring to Bangladesh as mother Tagore makes clear that the bond to Bangladesh is forever.

Haiti's and Jamaica's National Anthems

Haiti's Anthem:

For our country,

For our forefathers,

United let us march.

Let there be no traitors in our ranks!

Let us be masters of our soil.

United let us march

For our country,

For our forefathers.

For our forebears,

For our country

Let us toil joyfully.

May the fields be fertile

And our souls take courage.

Let us toil joyfully

For our forebears,

For our country.

For our country

And for our forefathers,

Let us train our sons.

Free, strong, and prosperous,

We shall always be as brothers.

Let us train our sons

For our country

And for our forefathers.

For our forebears,

For our country,

Oh God of the valiant!

Take our rights and our life

Under your infinite protection,

Oh God of the valiant!

For our forebears,

For our country.

For the flag,

For our country

To die is a fine thing!

Our past cries out to us:

Have a strong soul!

To die is a fine thing,

For the flag,

For our country.

Jamaica's Anthem:

Eternal Father bless our land,
Guard us with Thy Mighty Hand,
Keep us free from evil powers,
Be our light through countless hours.
To our Leaders, Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, Land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.

Teach us true respect for all,
Stir response to duty’s call, strengthen us the weak to cherish,
Give us vision lest we perish.
Knowledge send us Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.

Haiti is the first independent black country (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ha.html) so it makes sense that its national anthem is so patriotic and war based. There is an emphasis on being independent when it says "let us be masters of our soil." There is also many references to the land and toiling joyfully. I am a Haitian-American so I know that Haitians are very hard-working people who take pride in their work so the ideals represented in the anthem are true of Haitians. Toward the end there is a plea to God to provide protection and their is also mention of death for the country being something to be proud of. Haitians are extremely religious. The mention of dying for the country is also representative of Haitian people's rebellious and perseverant spirit. Contrastingly, Jamaica's anthem is very prayer-like. It asks God not only for protection but for wisdom, strength, and respect. There is an emphasis on hope and trust. There is a sense of deep concern for the people of the country staying righteous. This anthem is very idealistic and noble. Jamaica gained its independence in 1962 after years of British rule and slavery (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2032.htm). Perhaps Jamaica is focused on making sure that people respect each other after years of disrespect.

United States' National Anthem
Our anthem seems very antiquated. Its focus is on fighting for our independence and bravery. But today we are a superpower and we are seen by many countries as being a bully. I think that our 2 wars have skewed our image to many across the world and to some of our own citizens. Our anthem needs to represent the ideals of democracy, inclusion, and cultural acceptance. We are a land of opportunities which is why so many people want to live here.

Anthems and Their Truths

I believe it is possible for a person to accurately represent two different countries. There are many ways a person would be able to do this. One way would be to do extensive research, which would include extensive interviews with many citizens. Additionally, the person would be able to really understand a country if he or she were to live in that countries for quite some years. I believe that these two scenarios would result in a person being able to give an accurate description of the country and its views/beliefs.
The two anthems written by Tagore for Bangladesh and India are very similar in my opinion. Both anthems include descriptions of the country’s physical features; either it be the blue skies and various trees of Bangladesh or the hills of India. One difference that I did notice was that while Bangladesh’s national anthem was strictly about the country’s natural physical features, India’s national anthem gave many references to previous rulers and leaders. With this in mind, it becomes obvious that the two anthems were written by a person that wasn’t a citizen or fully familiar with the two countries. Mentioning a place’s physical attributes are something a person can be acquainted with in one trip. Furthermore, mentioning a country’s key leaders is knowledge that can we acquired through books and not necessarily knowledge that is acquired from residing in a place.
Two anthems that I have read were Aruba’s and Poland’s. These two countries are on opposite sides of the world and I was curious as to how their anthems would differ. After reading the two I have realized that these two anthems differ greatly. Aruba’s anthem emphasizes the countries beauty and peacefulness. Which I believe is very accurate since I have visited there myself. The people are all friendly which is mentioned in the anthem. It is obvious that the anthem is trying to portray the country as very idealistic. I feel like this anthem can represent the country at any moment in time. It is very general by just describing the country’s physical attributes and the tendencies of its citizens.
Poland’s national anthem however, is quite different. It is war-based and emphasizes that Poland and its people will persevere and not let themselves be taken over. This becomes understandable since there have been many attempts to conquer Poland throughout history. It was a song that was sung by many Polish soldiers to keep them fighting even though Poland was almost wiped off the map. After the battles and Poland being reformed the song became the national anthem because of the strength it had during the war. This however, doesn’t describe the country as it is now. Poland is no longer fighting for existence, so even though it is a great reminder of perseverance and struggle to come up on top, they are no longer at war. On the other hand, perhaps an anthem that brings these types of feelings to its citizens is what they aim for.
One similarity that I did find between these two anthems is its patriotism. Both anthems use strong language to express their love for their countries. This is exactly what an anthem is supposed to do.
When it comes to our country’s nation anthem I do not believe that it accurately describes our country and it’s people. The anthem is written about our victorious war for independence. Yes, we are currently fighting in a war right now but that war is not for our independence. Additionally, the rockets and cannons described in the victory war don’t even apply in today’s time where we are capable of using nuclear weapons, and airplane missiles. I believe we should have an anthem that describes our country better as it is today. An economic powerhouse, and a “freedom” country where people escape from their own countries to achieve freedom here.

Extra Credit:
America the beautiful, America the powerful
All types of people intermingling and colorful.
Land of endless possibilities, no need for strife
People are happy with no other life.
Walk through the country and hear the laughter
We are strong and those in need we look after.
Land of the intellect, land of the greatest
We can be rude but we are also the sweetest.