It has always puzzled me why countries choose national anthems that are difficult for average folks to sing.
As well as The Star Spangled Banner, The Marseillaise; O Canada and God Save The Queen can put quite a strain on the vocal chords.
It has always puzzled me why countries choose national anthems that are difficult for average folks to sing. As well as The Star Spangled Banner, The Marseillaise; O Canada and God Save The Queen can put quite a strain on the vocal chords.
I suspect it was because before Edison's invention of the phonograph cylinder if you wanted music you either produced it yourself or (a lot less often) paid someone to do it. I believe the average person had a lot more experience singing, and the didn't find these songs difficult, unlike people today, who just turn on a radio, cd/mp3 player, or whatever, and rarely ever sing themselves. Once upon a time it was one of the marks of a well-brought-up woman to be able to sing and play the piano.
Yeah, I'm sure some of you ladies out there in FReeperland can still do both. My point is how few of you there are.