I'm looking for a National Anthem that doesn't mention God

[hedgehog]

On patriotic holidays, Memorial Day, Fourth of July etc. we always sing a religious/patriotic hymn at church such as O Beautiful for Spacious Skies or the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It occurs to me that we need a non-militaristic, non-religious anthem. For me as a Christian, it cheapens God to draft the Almighty into an anthem and treads closely to breaking the third commandment. As a citizen, I think we need a civil anthem that states our common values, not one that implicitly ignores the separation of church and state.

[MindPilot]

1. I've always been a big fan of "This Land is Your Land..."

as a replacement for that pro-war godly dirge we have now.

[ixion]

2. my first thought as well

much better. :hi:

[OneBlueSky]

5. excellent choice, and mine as well . . .

particularly relevant these days since this land is most assuredly no longer our land -- it belongs to the corporations, who do their best to wring every last resource out of it regardless of consequences . . .

it would also be a great way to honor Woody as the national treasure that he was . . .

[catabryna]

8. Couldn't agree more! n/t

[hedgehog]

16. Except it implies that a "Maker"

"made" this land for you and me. I like the song myself, but it does have certain subtleties that make it a touchy choice. If the "Maker" made this land for you and me, does that imply that the "Maker" supports our every venture? Also, I'd like something that suggests that we must care for this land. "Made for you and me" could suggest that it's our right to strip mine the place.

[MindPilot]

22. Well it could until you get to the end of the song...

I'm OK with "made"...the Declaration mentions "creator" and I don't think that immediately translates to "god" regardless of how much the righties would have you believe it does.


This Land Is Your Land

This land is your land This land is my land
From California to the New York island;
From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and Me.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me.

I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.

In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?

Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me.

edit: spelling

[Proud_Democratt]

3. America The Beautiful???

[msongs]

4. "...god shed his grace on thee..." nt

[Proud_Democratt]

6. My brain is still fuzzy

[chatterboy]

7. 'The Star-Spangled Banner'

You have to get to the fourth verse to find a mention of God. Most people only sing the first, God-free verse.

http://chatterbyrondavis.blogspot.com

[hedgehog]

17. I should have specified non-bellicose as well.

not to mention singable.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

9. I'm partial to the Star Spangled Banner

If we had lost that battle of New Orleans, we wouldn't have made it as a nation. Just drop the last few verses if you want to eliminate God references.

[Withywindle]

10. It was Baltimore, though...

Francis Scott Key wrote the poem at Baltimore Harbor.

I actually really love "The Star-Spangled Banner." I think the melody's really pretty, and I like the fact that it comes from an old English drinking song.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

11. Oh duh

I'm so embarrassed. Same war, different harbor. I don't know why I have NO in mind.

I don't think that battle was as important, was it? Although I've read that the war of 1812 is often underrated, that it was truly pivotal.

Grannie (blushing)

[Withywindle]

12. It was pretty important

Losing Baltimore would have been a baaad blow, as close as it is to Washington. But it wasn't war-deciding the way NO was, I don't think.

Come from a long line of Baltimoreans...we get uppity about the few things we're famous for. (That and John Waters!) :hi:

[TallahasseeGrannie]

13. Well you have every right

to stand up for Baltimore! Which, by the way...used to be rather ugly in my memory but I went through there last year and it is very charming. What happened?

[Withywindle]

15. Gentrification!

Some of that, and some real money and love being sunk into the place finally.

I don't actually live there - I'm in Chicago. But most of my US relatives are there.

[Random_Australian]

14. The Australian National Anthem!

:D

[hedgehog]

18. Words? We won't ask you to sing it.

[Random_Australian]

19. Australians all let us rejoice, for we are young and free,

with golden soil and wealth for toil,
our home is girt by sea.
Our land abounds in nature's gifts of beauty rich and rare;
in histories page at every stage, advance Australia fair.
Rejoice for strains and let us sing, Advance, Australia fair!

[Proud_Democratt]

20. Onward Christian Soldiers

:sarcasm:

[SPKrazy]

21. Star Spangled Banner Is National Anthem

and in the verse that is usually sung, there is no reference to God