Author Topic: WHAT GIVES ?????? (Read 3014 times)

Fla._Deadheader · « **on:** July 02, 2005, 03:16:48 pm »

I watch every Nascar race I can. It seems to me that this "JAZZING UP" of the National Anthem is getting WWAAAYYYYYY out of control !!!!!!!!

Don't know how the rest of ya feel, but, I'm for putting a STOP to what I consider DESECRATION of our country's Glory. Flag burners should be sent directly to me !!!

Tobacco Plug · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2005, 03:27:20 pm »

I agree. No one who sings it now even tries to show some respect, they all have to add "just a little bit" to make it better to them. How about when Roseanne Barr sang it at a baseball game a few years ago? Man, that was just awful. She thought it was funny. Sadly, it was publicity for her and that was all she was after anyway.

Perhaps some who sing it have trouble because the song is very hard to sing. That high part at "the land of the free" is pretty high! Maybe we should change the Anthem anyway. I always thought that "America the Beautiful" is much prettier and more heartwarming.

Jeff · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2005, 03:30:12 pm »

Remember when Whitney Houstan sang it for, I think it was, a super bowl several years ago? One of the most Beautiful renditions ever. Goes to show it can go either way.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2005, 03:36:16 pm »

At alot of those sporting events, weather it's in USA or Canada the one singing it often forgets the words and just mumbles along. We used to sing the national anthom and recite the lords prayer first thing in the morning at school from grade 1-5 as I recall. After awhile you recite it in your sleep and never forget.

I remember in High school if ya didn't memorize certain passages from Beowulf or Canterbury Tales, ya had to stay after school for detention until ya could recite it.

Frank_Pender · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2005, 04:14:21 pm »

If you tried that today, Swampdonkey, as a teacher to would be prosecuted for child abuse. I would have spent lots of time some place other than the classroom I am sure.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2005, 04:27:48 pm »

Some of us folk had a hard 'ole life growing up.

I been put in 'the mouse trap', spanked across the teachers knee

, knuckles and shoulders wacked with the yard stick

, denied bathroom break

the list goes on.....

ps 'the mouse trap' was under the teachers desk. I dunno what purpose that served other than getting a different view of a 65 year old teacher that even taught my father in school. Usually the whole class ended up laughing when someone got under there and had to stay on detention for laughin at the nut under there.

ahhhh the abuse

beenthere · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2005, 04:47:47 pm »

Sometimes the National Anthem is sung very well. I was at a Wisconsin Girls State softball playoff game last year, and one of the ball players sang the National Anthem absolutely the best I have ever heard. What a voice.

My son had the experience at a Twins game in MSP singing with his Barbershop Chorus and about 240 men voices in all, and I heard it was quite an awesome sound. Also sang last Dec. before a Vikings/Packers game, except the Packers won.

My grand daughter was in a HS choir this May practicing for her graduation ceremony, and the Principal asked that they sing the National Anthem after they had just finished singing The Star-Spangled Banner

My grand daughter cleared her throat and said "Mr______, we just did that." He reacted a bit slowly, and then said "Well, you learn something new everyday." The students got a good chuckle at his expense that day.

SwampDonkey
I have very similar experiences with the 'over the waste basket and get the yard stick treatment'. Laughing (out loud) was only possible if she would stop at three whacks. Any more than three, and the uncontrolled laughter would result in more serious swings, and eventually the yard stick would disintegrate into flying pieces of wood. Poor teacher. She was the one who for years taught 6th grade and ran the LTL (Loyal Temperance League) of which we paid dues of about $0.10 to belong. After doing that for about 30 years, she was found out to have never turned over any of the dues to the LTL but instead put the money in her pocket. Hows that for Loyal Temperance

Tom · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2005, 06:34:37 pm »

Now I know why I got the IM of a link to WH's rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. While it is a technically impressive effort, it still isn't the pure, black and white, no-frills version Thai I adore. Give me one of our Military Choirs and one of our Military brass bands led by the likes of John Philip Sousa.

I know that the beauty of music is in the ears of the listener, but, some music doesn't get better with new renditions. National Anthems fall in that category as well as most religious hymns. To tamper with the words or the melody is bordering on blasphemy.

Yeah, I know, I'm old fashioned, a cantankerous old curmudgeon resistant to change. I just can't picture my Uncle Charles, a Marine hero in his own right, my customer, Sgt. "groundhog", who barely came back from Korea alive, General Patton, or even me, a lowly "ping jockey', doing Funky Freestyle to the Star Spangled Banner. It means more than that.

What gives Whitney Huston (housten?) the idea that she can do a better job of writing a National Anthem than Francis Scott Key? Her talents at running up and down the verbal scales in impromptu improvisation makes my ears and heart hurt.

Looking at pieces of written history that I thought I knew so well, finds me discovering items that amazes me. I always think of the our National Anthem as something that was just always there. It was designated as our Anthem in 1931, just eleven years before my birth. That's not so very long ago.

There is a funny thing about "Marshall" music. It promotes order, makes your heart pound, puts starch in your spine and gives you a sense of National pride whether there are words or not. Versions of our National Anthem that are "popularized" destroy the sense of pride, the feeling of National camaraderie, the will to defend and the vision of unity to be replaced by visions of "gettin' down".

Can't you just hear the announcer of the Super Bowl of the year 2200 saying "Now, let's all stand and dance a little urban street funk, jiving to our National Anthem"?

Jeff · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2005, 06:45:04 pm »

I totally disagree with your view on the Whitney Houston version. She sang the words as they were written. She did not change the message, only the voice. Thats part of what makes The United States of America what it is. Every person has a voice of their own. If every voice in that stadium sang in unison, you would hear the song that you dearly wish to hear, but the great thing is, that if given a chance, each individual voice, standing alone is free to be unique. I can remember that rendition as if it were yesterday. It was during the 1st gulf war when patriotism was running high. Maybe you are missing something in only hearing a wave file that does not blend the voice with the instruments, or perhaps as you say, you are being a curmudgeon. I remember being moved to tears during that rendition of our National Anthem.

Tom · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2005, 06:49:54 pm »

Her voice is impecable. The melody wasn't on the original sheet of paper accepted as our National Anthem.

Jeff · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2005, 06:54:19 pm »

Actually, the anthem, is sung to the tune of a British drinking song from the day, which I imagine also, sounded different, depending on the state of the original singers.

Tom · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2005, 07:10:16 pm »

Yes, To Anacreon in Heaven. A difficult melody to sing whether drunk or sober.

I'll not argue another's appreciaton of a rendition, but, let my feelings be known. I'm going to go to my Record collection and listen to the Navy Choir and Marine band now.

Fla._Deadheader · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2005, 07:42:11 pm »

Sorry, gotta agree with the Cantankerous old Curmudgeon.. Folks can change the rhythm or whatever to any song they wish, but, LEAVE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM ALONE !!!!!!!!!!

Jeff · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2005, 07:47:49 pm »

Thank goodeness that the first person to set the standard wasn't Elmer Fudd.

Tom · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2005, 07:59:33 pm »

Ain't that the truth!

"Wheah's that wascally wedcoat?"

sprucebunny · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2005, 08:26:32 pm »

My grandfather was a geneologist and wrote a book about his wife's family and did a BIG family tree. Francis Scott Key was my great,great,great,great,great,great,great uncle

Is that amazing or what

I couldn't carry a tune in a suitcase

I prefer the no frills or changes versions of the anthem.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2005, 06:10:50 am »

I too have to go with the no frills version. Any other way just sends quivers up and down my spine.

EZ · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2005, 06:43:16 am »

I agree with Jeff.
When Whitney sang it was the best I heard in a long time. Made the hairs stand up on my back.
EZ

Fla._Deadheader · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2005, 07:25:47 am »

As of last night, I will no longer watch Nascar or any event that allows the singer to "Jazz up" the Nation's Sacred Anthem.

There is NO respect left for the people that have to "Leave their mark".

Patty · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2005, 08:08:54 am »

I love that song pretty much any way it is sung...as long as it is done in a respectful way. Everytime I watch someone sing it, I can't help but cry. I am so proud and happy to live in this great country.

Happy Fourth of July everybody, and May God Bless America!

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Author Topic: WHAT GIVES ?????? (Read 3014 times)