The intermission is over, the lights have flickered and everyone’s back in their seats, wondering why the older, balder gentleman is making out with what looks suspiciously like a mail-order bride in the midst of the opera. No price too high for high class.
We’ve been offering up on a platter the national anthems, those catchy little tunes you’ll hear before the game, of each and every group. Group D happened way back then, and with the breather for a £10 Diet Coke over, we’re onto Group E, featuring Netherlands, Cameroon, Japan and Denmark.
Netherlands – Het Wilhelmus (The William)
This should do nicely for the purposes of Group E: some consider the Dutch anthem to be the oldest national anthem in the world, while others say it’s the Japanese. The Dutch anthem was written in 1574, many, many moons ago, and has remained since, earning official status in 1932. The confusion comes in that the lyrics of Japan’s anthem were written as a poem in the 9th century, but music was added much later. Depends on your standard, I suppose.
The Dutch Royal House, as good a source as you’ll find, gives a very succinct assessment: “The Wilhelmus has 15 verses, the first letters of which together spell the name WILLEM VAN NASSOV (William of Nassau). Only the first and sixth verses are usually sung. The Wilhelmus was written during the Eighty Years’ War as a tribute to Prince William I of Orange, the leader of the Dutch revolt against Spanish domination. The writer is generally considered to have been Philip van Marnix, Seigneur of Sint Aldegonde (ca. 1538-1598), secretary to the Prince.”
The first and sixth verses:
William of Nassau
am I, of Dutch blood.
Loyal to the fatherland
I will remain until I die.
A prince of Orange
am I, free and fearless.
The king of Spain
I have always honoured.
My shield and reliance
are you, o God my Lord.
It is you on whom I want to rely,
never leave me again.
[Grant] that I may remain brave,
your servant for always,
and [may] defeat the tyranny,
which pierces my heart
Denmark National Anthem: Der er et yndigt land (”There is a lovely land”)
Denmark are so musical they have two national anthems: Der er et yndigt land and Kong Kristian stod ved højen mast. However the latter is used primarily for royal outings – dinners, weddings, frolf, etc. – while Der er et yndigt land is used for your unholy gatherings, such as football. The words were penned in 1819 by Adam Oehlenschläger, who was a visionary hair stylist as well as lyricist, with music added 16 years later by Hans Ernst Krøyer.
Like so many anthems, it’s much longer than what is normally heard or will be heard this summer. In the case of Denmark, it’s the first stanza and the last three lines of the fourth and final stanza:
There is a lovely land
with spreading, shady beeches
Near Baltic’s salty strand
Its hills and valleys gently fall,
its ancient name is Denmark,
And it is Freya’s hall
Strong men and noble women still
uphold their country’s honour
With faithfulness and skill
Japan National Anthem: Kimigayo (君が代)
(These were the clearest lyrics which could be found.)
For the lyrics being so old, a Waka poem written in the 9th century, Kimigayo is also so new – it was only passed as the official national anthem in 1999, even though music was added in 1880. It’s also awfully shorty, with the official Japanese a total of only 32 characters.
It’s also a bit controversial since the slight, or once, ambiguity of Kimigayo’s actual translation refers to the reign of the Emperor and thus past military matters. When it was officially named the anthem, the Prime Minister tried to clear this up: “Kimi” indicates the Emperor, who is the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people, and whose position is derived from the consensus-based will of Japanese citizens, with whom sovereign power resides. And, the phrase “Kimigayo” indicates our State, Japan, which has the Emperor enthroned as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people by the consensus-based will of Japanese citizens. And it is reasonable to take the lyric of Kimigayo to mean the wish for the lasting prosperity and peace of such country of ours.”.
The translation:
May your reign
Continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations,
Until the pebbles
Grow into boulders
Lush with moss
Cameroon National Anthem: Chant de Ralliement (The Rallying Song)
Since Cameroon is bilingual, the lyrics for the French and English additions vary, which makes it awfully confusing when trying to make the direct translation. In addition to the multiple sets of lyrics, it’s also known as O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers. So really it’s one set of music for two sets of lyrics with one name.
O Cameroon, Thou Cradle of our Fathers,
Holy Shrine where in our midst they now repose,
Their tears and blood and sweat thy soil did water,
On thy hills and valleys once their tillage rose.
Dear Fatherland, thy worth no tongue can tell!
How can we ever pay thy due?
Thy welfare we will win in toil and love and peace,
Will be to thy name ever true!
CHORUS:
Land of Promise, land of Glory!
Thou, of life and joy, our only store!
Thine be honour, thine devotion,
And deep endearment, for evermore.
From Shari, from where the Mungo meanders
From along the banks of lowly Boumba Stream,
Muster thy sons in union close around thee,
Mighty as the Buea Mountain be their team;
Instill in them the love of gentle ways,
Regret for errors of the past;
Foster, for Mother Africa, a loyalty
That true shall remain to the last.
CHORUS:
Land of Promise, land of Glory!
Thou, of life and joy, our only store!
Thine be honour, thine devotion,
And deep endearment, for evermore.