Anthem

What Is an Anthem and Its Historical Significance?

Anthem: a musical composition of celebration, often used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, it referred to short sacred choral work and liturgical music, with its use beginning around 1550 in English-speaking churches. The term ‘anthem’ comes from Greek ἀντίφωνα (antíphōna) via Old English antefn.

Historically, notable composers of liturgical anthems include Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, Tye, and Farrant during the Elizabethan period, and Orlando Gibbons, Henry Purcell, John Blow, Croft, Boyce, James Kent, James Nares, Benjamin Cooke, and Samuel Arnold in the 17th century. In the 19th century, Samuel Sebastian Wesley wrote anthems influenced by oratorio, and Charles Villiers Stanford used symphonic techniques to produce a more concise structure.

Today, anthems are often written for specific occasions and commissions, such as Edward Elgar’s ‘Great is the Lord’ and Benjamin Britten’s ‘Rejoice in the Lamb’. The repertoire has been enhanced by the addition of works from the Latin repertoire, allowing for greater variety and diversity in the genre. Further, some songs are artistically styled as anthems, including Marilyn Manson’s ‘Irresponsible Hate Anthem’, Silverchair’s ‘Anthem for the Year 2000’, and Toto’s ‘Child’s Anthem’.

National Anthems: Patriotic Symbols of a Country’s History and Traditions

A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes a country’s history, traditions, and struggles. Most national anthems are marches or hymns in style, with some countries using more ornate pieces.

Flag Anthems: Praises for the Flag

A flag anthem is a patriotic musical composition that praises a flag, often sung during the raising or lowering of the flag during a ceremony. Some countries use separate flag anthems for this purpose, while others do not.

Sports Anthems: Celebrating Team Spirit

Sports anthems include pop songs like Queen’s ‘We Are the Champions’ and ‘We Will Rock You’. Shared anthems are used by states and territories that have adopted common anthems, such as North and South Korea’s Arirang. Other examples of shared anthems include ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’, which was adopted by five African countries, and the Estonian anthem ‘Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm’, which shares a melody with Finland’s national anthem ‘Maamme’.

Its first lyrics were written in 1834 under the title ‘Hey, Slovaks’ (‘Hej, Slováci’) by Samuel Tomášik and has served as the ethnic anthem of the Pan-Slavic movement, the organizational anthem of the Sokol physical education and political movement, the national anthem of Yugoslavia, and the transitional anthem of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The song’s melody is based on Mazurek Dąbrowskiego, which also serves as the anthem of Poland since 1926, but with a slower and more accentuated Yugoslav variation.

Shared Anthems: Unity in Diversity

‘Deșteaptă-te, române!’ was the national anthem of Romania and Moldova between 1991 and 1994, but it was replaced in Moldova by ‘Limba noastră’. The modern German national anthem uses the same tune as the 19th- and early 20th-century Austro-Hungarian imperial anthem.

The Hymn of the Soviet Union used until its dissolution in 1991, with new words adopted in 2000 to replace an instrumental national anthem introduced in 1990. ‘Bro Gozh ma Zadoù’, ‘Bro Goth Agan Tasow’, and ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ are sung to the same tune as ‘Hymn of the Soviet Union’.

Multiple Anthems: Diversity Within Nations

Some countries, such as the former Soviet Union, Spain, and the United Kingdom, have multiple ‘nations’ with their own anthems. In Austria, the regional anthem of Upper Austria is notable for being written and sung entirely in dialect.

Belgium uses regional anthems, with Wallonia’s ‘Le Chant des Wallons’ and Flanders’ ‘De Vlaamse Leeuw’. Most Brazilian states have official anthems, including Minas Gerais using an adapted version of the Italian song ‘Vieni sul mar’. The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador has its own regional anthem from its days as a dominion and colony of the UK. Czechoslovakia had a national anthem composed of two parts before dissolving into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which adopted their own regional anthems.

Germany has many Länder with their own anthems, including the Hymn of Bavaria, which is also an official anthem. Some Indian states have officially adopted their own state anthems for use during government functions. Malaysia has its own anthem for each individual state. Mexico has regional anthems, such as the ‘Marcha de Zacatecas’, which emphasizes heroes, virtues, or landscapes specific to each state.

Shared Anthems in Yugoslavia and Beyond

In Yugoslavia, each constituent state had a right to an anthem, with Croatia and Slovenia being the first to adopt them. When they became independent sovereign states in mid-2006, these anthems became national anthems.

International Anthems: Unity Among Nations

The lyrics and melodies of the Soviet regional anthems are similar and feature mentions to Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin. Some melodies can be sung in the Soviet Union anthem lyrics, particularly by Ukraine and Belarus. Russia restored its old tune with new lyrics after Vladimir Putin came to power.

Several countries have banned or criminalized the public performance of Soviet regional anthems due to their association with totalitarianism and state terror. UNICEF has an official anthem called ‘Lullaby’. The European Union and Council of Europe use the tune of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 as their official anthem. The African Union uses ‘Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together’ as its official anthem.

The Olympic Movement has its own organizational anthem. Esperanto speakers use ‘La Espero’ as their linguistic anthem at meetings. The first South Asian Anthem by poet-diplomat Abhay K may inspire SAARC to come up with an official SAARC Anthem.

International Sports Anthems: Unity in Competition

Ireland’s Call was commissioned as the sporting anthem of Ireland national rugby union and league teams due to dissatisfaction among Northern Irish unionists. An international anthem is used by organizations sharing the same name, such as the International Anthem of the Royal Golf Clubs.

The European Broadcasting Union uses Te Deum in D Major before Eurovision broadcasts. Various artists have created ‘Earth anthems’ for planetary consciousness, but there is no official UN song.

As we explore the rich tapestry of anthems, it’s clear that these musical compositions serve as powerful symbols of unity and identity. From the sacred choral works of old to the modern pop songs celebrating sports and nations, anthems continue to resonate with people around the world. Whether they’re sung at national ceremonies or during international competitions, anthems remind us of our shared history and the values that bind us together.