| John the OFM | 01 Jul 2015 10:11 p.m. PST |
I know all 4 verses of the Star Spangled Banner, to the chagrin of the late Pat Condray. 
It SHOULD be our National anthem, However, my favorite is the Battle Hymn of the Republic. I sang the SATB arrangement by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in both high school and college.
It brings a chill up me spine, yes it does.
YouTube link
It epitomises what Americans, rightly or wrongly, however imperfectly, feel about their duty towards freedom. We sang and learned them all in public school in the 50s and 60s. |
| nsolomon99 | 01 Jul 2015 10:50 p.m. PST |
Great link – yep, works for me, and I'm not even American (although I am from Australia, America's strongest, firmest ally over the last 75 years) |
| goragrad | 02 Jul 2015 12:03 a.m. PST |
Actually not much of a singer insofar as my voice goes so I don't sing around others much. However, when walking home from high school in the late 60s (about a mile) I'd sing various songs along the way – Battle Hymn, Star Spangled Banner, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Caisson Song, Marines Hymn, Anchors Away, Goober Peas, and Dixie. All out of the old grade school music songbook. Have to say the Battle Hymn does have an attraction. P.S. In view of recent developments I imagine a couple of those songs won't be in future songbooks (assuming any still are). |
Dn Jackson  | 02 Jul 2015 3:54 a.m. PST |
Being a Southerner Battle Hymn of the Republic was never high on my list, but as an American I do like it. I know all three verses of The Marines' Hymn and love it. I'm also fond of Dixie, for obvious reasons. I too think The Star Spangled Banner should be our national anthem. I'm very fond of America the Beautiful. For me it evokes the majesty of this country very well.
YouTube link In all honesty I'm not sure I can choose a favorite. |
| zippyfusenet | 02 Jul 2015 4:06 a.m. PST |
For our generation? City of New Orleans. Feel the love. |
| Sundance | 02 Jul 2015 4:26 a.m. PST |
Not sure I have a favorite, but no one has mentioned Tom Lehrer's version of Dixie - YouTube link There actually appear to be various versions of this one. |
| Gone Fishing | 02 Jul 2015 4:51 a.m. PST |
My votes have already been mentioned, but the Marine Hymn and Dixie would be my top choices. I also think our anthem is a lovely tune, but it's hard to sing well! Edit: For fairness, the Yankee song "The Year of Jubilo" has to be one of the best marching songs ever. YouTube link |
 20thmaine | 02 Jul 2015 5:33 a.m. PST |
Woody Guthrie : This land is your land. |
 ochoin | 02 Jul 2015 5:37 a.m. PST |
I'm not a Yank either but any of these cavalry songs from John Wayne & Errol Flynn movies hit the spot. The Horse Soldiers (I left my Love)
YouTube link She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (The Girl I left behind me) YouTube link They Died with their Boots on (Garry Owen) YouTube link If you want something more modern:
YouTube link and yes, I do know it is critical. I think you can be patriotic & be critical too. |
| vtsaogames | 02 Jul 2015 5:40 a.m. PST |
This land is your land. And I can hit all the notes. |
| Wackmole9 | 02 Jul 2015 6:28 a.m. PST |
Battle Hymn of the Republic |
| tberry7403 | 02 Jul 2015 6:49 a.m. PST |
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| Winston Smith | 02 Jul 2015 7:31 a.m. PST |
Yes. Yes you are.
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| Sundance | 02 Jul 2015 7:38 a.m. PST |
OK, I'll be the jerk You were born the son of poor black sharecroppers? |
| Extrabio1947 | 02 Jul 2015 8:22 a.m. PST |
Dixie/Bonnie Blue Flag by the American Brass Quintet. Beautiful. |
| John Treadaway | 02 Jul 2015 8:47 a.m. PST |
This Land is good (especially the Jib Jab version – google it!). The Battle Hymm of the Republic is good if a bit religious for my tastes. Dixie is excellent too – nice to hear both sides in a fight with good music. Mind you I think y'all should have stuck with "Rule Britannia" so what do I know?  John T |
| Cold Steel | 02 Jul 2015 9:19 a.m. PST |
Battle Hymn of the Republic is THE great marching song of the Union Army. But as a Yankee living in rural Georgia, I don't get to sing or hear it very often. And then only when I am well armed. |
 miniMo | 02 Jul 2015 9:40 a.m. PST |
America The Beautiful and +1 for This Land Is Your Land |
| rmaker | 02 Jul 2015 10:02 a.m. PST |
I agree that Star Spangled Banner should be the National Anthem. It should also be fixed by getting rid of the full octave shift up in the bridge (an late 19th Century band arrangement innovation NOT found in earlier manuscripts). And we should fine the idiot "professionals" who can't or won't perform it at full tempo. Like ten times the fee they got for performing. I like the Battle Hymn of the Republic. And Rally Round the Flag. but Yankee Doodle and Free Americay (the latter sung to the tune of British Grenadiers). are also good. |
 McKinstry  | 02 Jul 2015 10:34 a.m. PST |
Battle Hymn of the Republic Honorable Mention to Kate Smith singing God Bless America |
| 20thmaine | 02 Jul 2015 10:53 a.m. PST |
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| TNE2300 | 02 Jul 2015 12:07 p.m. PST |
Star Spangled Banner
Battle Hymn of the Republic or Sammy Hagar VOA?
YouTube link |
| miniMo | 02 Jul 2015 12:26 p.m. PST |
On further meditation, can't beat Yankee Doodle Dandy! |
| tigrifsgt | 02 Jul 2015 12:35 p.m. PST |
God Bless America. I was lucky enough to see Kate Smith do this at a Phila. Flyers hockey match when I was young. In Phily they call it "Doin' A Kate". |
| Bismarck | 02 Jul 2015 2:22 p.m. PST |
tigrifsgt,
never got to see Mrs. Smith sing it live. heard her sing it on tv many times as a child. no one since has even come close. another one that should make the list is "This is my country".
a standard parade ground favorite back in the day. Not sure if I have the title right. Remember the pride when the MCRD San Diego band played it as one of the songs in our parade in boot camp. |
| jpattern2 | 02 Jul 2015 4:24 p.m. PST |
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| 3AcresAndATau | 02 Jul 2015 5:01 p.m. PST |
I'm quite partial to the Battle Cry of Freedom (Confederate version, of course), although the Star Spangled Banner is definitely the most national anthem-worthy piece around. If you want to go a bit more modern, I'd say "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue", "Song of the South", or "Made in America". Also, since we all know Johnny Cash is one of the greats, I will throw in "Ragged Old Flag", "Song of the Patriot", and "American Remains". And Russian though it may be, I'd be remiss to leave out "1812 Overture". |
| Katzbalger | 02 Jul 2015 7:10 p.m. PST |
The Star Spangled Banner always gives me a chill.
YouTube link The Marine Hymn is very popular at my house (ahem).
YouTube link
We always sing it in my car whenever we drive by the Marine Corps Museum--my daughter usually starts it. While the Battle Hymn of the Republic has its moments, I have to say that I prefer the Battle Cry of Freedom. Not the southern one (even though I do live in the south).
YouTube link Rob |
| brass1 | 02 Jul 2015 8:32 p.m. PST |
"Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag" as sung by Country Joe and the Fish. LT |
| Rod I Robertson | 02 Jul 2015 9:13 p.m. PST |
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| jpattern2 | 03 Jul 2015 9:03 a.m. PST |
Good choice, brass1. Real patriots question the MIC. |
| SJDonovan | 03 Jul 2015 9:25 a.m. PST |
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| jpattern2 | 03 Jul 2015 9:28 a.m. PST |
Nashville, what a great movie.  |
| KSmyth | 03 Jul 2015 5:41 p.m. PST |
I like "This Land is My Land" because it's so inclusive--and easy to sing. Love the "Star Spangled Banner," but it is not easy to sing. "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die" is a great song, but fixed in a particular moment and would not be a good national anthem. Not a Kate Smith or "God Bless America" fan. |
| KSmyth | 03 Jul 2015 5:54 p.m. PST |
Okay, I'm in with a little something by Randy Newman YouTube link |
| jpattern2 | 03 Jul 2015 7:08 p.m. PST |
Love Newman, love that song. |
