Switzerland Launch Public Contest For New National Anthem (Old has God, prayer: "outdated concepts")

World TVPC ^ | 6 Aug 2013 | Matt

[Cronos]

The European nation of Switzerland is renowned for being an idealistic country that most embraces both its traditions and innovation compared with others, but it seems as though the former is being replaced by the latter in one crucial case, after the government announced an initiative to find a new national anthem.

Currently, Swiss people proudly listen to the tune and lyrics to “Swiss Psalm”, but in recent years, the ‘lyrics’ part, which has been part of the song since its creation as a ‘patriotic song’ in 1841 (predating the current ‘Federal State’ of Switzerland founded in 1848), will now be replaced on account of being ‘too old-fashioned’.

The original music had been composed by Alberich Zwyssig (although it only became the official national anthem in 1981 (which before then was “Rufst du Mein Vaterland”, set to the same tune as British anthem ”God Save The Queen”)), while the current lyrics to “Swiss Psalm” (in 4 different languages) reference God, prayer, mountains and sunshine, deemed as outdated concepts, and as such the government are passing the initiative over to the 8 million citizens of their country, in a contest which will end with the implementation of a new national anthem in 2015.

The competition, running from January-June 2014 and open to ‘all Swiss nationals and foreigners living in Switzerland’, is primarily looking to find new lyrics, although entries are free to be a freshly-composed song if that is their preference.

Lukas Niederberger, the leader of the project who represents the ‘Swiss Society for Public Utility’ (SGG), summarised: “The real problem is above all the text. Officially the anthem is a psalm, a prayer, but of course we have an open society, religiously neutral. We have atheists, no single god, so this anthem is a difficulty. Many people are conservative and the anthem is emotional, but if a composer creates a super song, then we can change the tune too.

[Cronos]

The real problem is above all the text. Officially the anthem is a psalm, a prayer, but of course we have an open society, religiously neutral. We have atheists, no single god, so this anthem is a difficulty.

God, prayer, mountains are out-dated.

the Swiss forget their history....

[Cronos]

Swiss Anthem ("Schweizerpsalm")

by Albert Zwyssig (1808-1854) - Originalversion in deutsch

When the morning skies grow red
And over us their radiance shed
Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light!
When the alps glow bright with splendor,
Pray to God, to Him surrender!
For you feel and understand
That God dwelleth in this land.
That God, the Lord, dwelleth in this land.

In the sunset Thou art night
And beyond the starry sky
Thou, O loving father, ever near!
When to Heaven we are departing
Joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting!
For we feel and understand
That God dwelleth in this land.
That God, the Lord, dwelleth in this land.

When dark clouds enshroud the hills
And gray mist the valley fills
Yet Thou art not hidden from thy sons!
Pierce the gloom in which we cower
With Thy sunshine's cleansing power
Then we'll feel and understand
That God dwelleth in this land.
That God, the Lord, dwelleth in this land.

Towards us in the wild storm coming,
You yourself give us resistance and stronghold,
You, almighty ruling, rescuing!
During horror and nights of thunderstorms
Let us childlike trust Him!
Yes, we feel and understand,
That God dwelleth in this land.
That God, the Lord, dwelleth in this land.

[dr_lew]

God, prayer, mountains are out-dated.

Not to mention "The European nation of Switzerland."

"Nation" ... what kind of bullcrap is that?

[combat_boots]

And here, I wanted to visit Switzerland.

Oh well.

[max americana]

My brother visited Switzerland 4 years ago after college and went Euro tripping. One afternoon he went to the hostel manager to tell him they were leaving first thing in the morning and the entire room of the manager office was wall to wall firearms. You’ll love it there.

[BerryDingle]

Have you ever wondered why the media has avoided the discussion of Hitler avoiding Switzerland?
This is one of the many reasons for that, The New York Times can probably give you all the rest without looking.

The one I can think of off hand is every citizen is armed.

[BerryDingle]

And here, I wanted to visit Switzerland.

Go ahead, you'll love it.

[Secret Agent Man]

God laughs at the swiss. sad, really.

[Secret Agent Man]

this puts most country’s national anthems to shame.

[Cronos]

well, technically Switzerland is not a nation, rather a confederation.

[dr_lew]

Mmmm.

As per Wikipedia, the whole question of a Swiss anthem is a confused mess, so I guess we ought to let them stew in their own juices.

[GeronL]

So, the new Swiss national anthem is “Baby Got Back” or “Can’t Touch This” or maybe something from Justin Beiber??

[GeronL]

That is an awesome anthem

[ken5050]

Best is when the side of a mountain opens up, and 2-3 Swiss fighters roll out and take off..

[ken5050]

Muslims are busy figuring out how to put a Muzzein atop the Eiger..

[JSDude1]

The sad part is that when you read (or sing) the second verse of our US national anthem it becomes obvious that our song too is a hymn. (even appears in our hymnal at church, along with others that worship God and honor our country such as Battle Hymn of The Republic).

Most Americans do not know this (about our national anthem).

[Pining_4_TX]

Countries that turn their backs on God do not like the results. Foolish, foolish people.