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Column What’s the point of our national anthem today?

The singing of Amhrán na bhFiann can be a powerful moment – or it can be embarrassing, writes Gerry Smyth. What are national anthems really for?

TONY MULQUEEN, a councillor with Clare County Council, recently asked RTÉ to broadcast the national anthem “each night before midnight in the spirit of Irish pride and nationhood.”

However, replying for the corporation, Peter Feeney has said that to do so would be “cumbersome” and “counter-productive” in respect of Cllr Mulqueen’s aims.

National anthems are the product of emerging nations in search of cultural validation. Along with the flag, the currency, and a range of other invented ‘traditions’, the national anthem is one of the means whereby an imaginary unit (‘Great Britain’, for example) is compelled into existence.

Given the fragmented, often illusory nature of modern nationhood, it’s no wonder that such pieces of music are frequently contentious.

National anthems are intended to be what the theorists call ‘metonymic’, in so far as they stand in for the country with which they are associated.

Some national anthems are amongst the most famous and most metonymic pieces of music in existence: who can hear La Marseillaise or God Save the Queen (or King) or The Star-Spangled Banner without conjuring the nations with which these songs are associated?

On the other hand, you may be less familiar with Jana Gana Mana (India), Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu (Kenya) or El Gran Carlemany (Andorra).

And then there’s Amhrán na bhFiann – A Soldier’s Song (or is it The Soldier’s Song or The Soldiers’ Song?). Someone looking for a crash course in modern Irish history could do worse than trace the troubled status of that piece of music from the time of its composition in 1907 down to the present day.

As Kevin Myers wrote in 2010: “A debate about the utility and the suitability of Amhrán na bhFiann is as seasonal as spring: it’s what we do, whenever the rugby season isn’t going so well.”

Predicament

The exchange between Cllr Mulqueen and Mr Feeney may be regarded as the latest exchange in that debate. Such an exchange can, moreover, be troped in all sorts of ways: country versus city, tradition versus modernity, duty versus pragmatism. One suspects, given the ongoing assault upon traditional notions of nationhood, that Mr Mulqueen is likely to remain disappointed.

Anyone who doubts the continuing power of the national anthem as a sign of Irish identity should recall that magical evening back in August when Katie Taylor stood in front of ExCel Arena in London to receive her gold medal.

And yet, if you look at the footage of the ceremony you’ll notice that the Golden Girl is not exactly bursting forth in song. It’s not quite as embarrassing as that famous scene when John Redwood, the newly-appointed Secretary of State for Wales, tried to blag his way through the Welsh national anthem (Hen Wlad fy Nhadau) – exposing, in a way that commentary or newsprint never could, the poverty of Tory claims to hegemony (find it on YouTube: it’s hilarious).

Nevertheless, many of us will be familiar with Taylor’s predicament on the night. My own engagement with Amhrán na bhFiann has always been anxious, both in terms of the sentiments expressed by the words, as well as the language in which they’re expressed. By the age of fourteen I knew every lyric to every Beatles song, but from whatever combination of laziness, impatience and alienation, I could never get past ‘Sinne Fianna Fáil’.

From a musical perspective, there seems to be an implicit tension between national anthem lyrics (which tend on the whole to extol the virtues of the imagined nation) and the music itself, which frequently bears an uncertain relation to the musical traditions of the nation it is supposed to represent.

Jimi Hendrix alerted the world to the power of ‘mishearing’ the national anthem when he performed that blistering version of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at Woodstock in 1969. Would a jazz version of that same piece make people (including Americans) feel differently about the USA? How about a flamenco version of La Marcha Real, or a reggae version of Jamaica, Land We Love?

And what would an ‘Irish’ national anthem sound like? What are the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Irish’ music in the international soundscape?

Perhaps, following the stereotypical logic of a movie like Titanic, we should have two national anthems: one, slow and yearning (low whistles, atmospheric ‘Celtic’ harmonies) to be played on occasions of gallant defeat; and another, wild and raucous – the full diddley-eye treatment – to be performed when we actually manage to win something.

Gerry Smyth is a lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University.

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    Mute Guy Incognito
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:45 AM

    did ye really have to turn Shane’s win into a dig an Enda Kenny? Shane deserves his own article on the Journal, without any spin in the story.

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    Mute Watcher-on-the-Wall
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:58 AM
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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:19 AM

    In before people start b*tching about Enda Kenny

    Side note; They’d also b!tch if he DIDNT congratulate Shane Lowry

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    Mute Peadar Ó Gréacháin
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:23 AM

    I was going to throw in a dig, he’s not worth it.

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    Mute Thomas Mac
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:35 AM

    “Enda is a knobhead “- Thomas Mac .

    “Shane played great golf over the four days and thoroughly deserved this huge victory “-Thomas Mac

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Aug 10th 2015, 6:16 PM

    Biffoff Enda…

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    Mute Pepper Brooks
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:38 AM

    Click bait from the journal. This story is written solely to generate negative comments about Enda. About as subtle as a bull in a china shop. It’s standard procedure for the Taoiseach to congratulate major international sporting achievers. Anyway to be fair to Enda he is a sports fan, whatever else you think of him.

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    Mute Richard Cheney
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:40 AM

    Comment of the week

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    Mute Peter Slattery
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:42 AM

    Ah here, it’s not even 9am on Monday morning…

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    Mute Elma Phudd
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:45 AM

    Also, like him or loathe him, a decent media outlet would surely refer to him as ‘Kenny’ in the headline. You wouldn’t read ‘David’ congratulates such and such in the UK. He’s still our Taoiseach.

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    Mute North Korean General
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:46 AM

    Don’t think much of Enda the parasite…

    Well done Shane, U.S. Open next….

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    Mute Infidel
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:48 AM

    It’s gutter journalism stuff and it totally distracts from Shane’s wonderful achievements. It should be about Lowry not Enda.

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    Mute Dave cullen
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    Aug 10th 2015, 9:48 AM

    Shane is an incredible talent,the other man is a dredge on Irish society.Hopefully lots more to come from Lowry.

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    Mute Wayne O'Fathaigh
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:24 AM

    Surprised he found the time, yesterday as he was on the Tarmac at Knock waiting to great a known Pedophile protector and a man who bullied sexual abide victims and lied to the same victims about his knowledge of their attackers previous abuse!

    Yep that’s right Enda roles out the red carpet for Cardinal Timothy Dolan!

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    Mute Colin Reilly
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    Aug 10th 2015, 10:28 AM

    Could have sworn you were on about Gerry Adams until the second paragraph

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    Mute Wayne O'Fathaigh
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    Aug 10th 2015, 10:59 AM

    Strange how Enda will grandstand and criticise Gerry or the Catholic Church but then role out the red carpet for this man

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    Mute Colin Reilly
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    Aug 10th 2015, 11:38 AM

    You must love carpets, always banging on about them

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    Mute Michael Mc Gauley
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:26 AM

    Wait now the British media will claim him as English. Delighted for u Shane.

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    Mute Steve Monk
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:30 AM

    stupid comment

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    Mute VinHeffer89
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:38 AM

    It’s not that stupid. As Brenda Fricker said, “When you’re pissed drunk at a train station you’re definitely Irish but when you win an Oscar you’re definitely British”.

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    Mute John Lennox
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    Aug 10th 2015, 4:54 PM

    Its a long standing tradition of the BBC to do this.

    Same applies for Scottish sports people, they are British when they win and Scottish when they lose.

    I don’t think it is a deliberate policy but just a deeply ingrained mindset in the British media.

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    Mute Freebetcitydcom Mike
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:22 AM

    Shane lowry to Enda “its a pity the feeling isnt mutual”.

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    Mute Anto Curran
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    Aug 10th 2015, 8:25 AM

    Haha his congratulations message is so generic! it’s just short of him saying “well done on doing well in that game you play”

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    Mute John Smith
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    Aug 10th 2015, 9:21 AM

    The Irish amateurs also had a good week at the International European amateur open in Slovakia with a 2nd and 3rd place finish and 5 in the top 20, a huge achievement that shows that we keep producing great golfers on this island. Half the walker cup team could be Irish at this rate.
    http://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2015/8/9/second-in-european-again-classy-hurley-edges-ireland-closer-to-famous-five-for-walker-cup

    Great win for Shane, I hope he has a good week this week.

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    Mute Niall Power
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    Aug 10th 2015, 9:15 AM

    Hopefully the people of Mayo have seen enough not to reelect him?

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    Mute Cyril
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    Aug 10th 2015, 9:01 AM

    He is such a sad joke like something out a darbey o gill movie. Thats inda i am talking about he would not lace Shane’s shoes .

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    Mute gary kelly
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    Aug 10th 2015, 10:28 AM

    Great victory

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    Mute Peter Higgins
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    Aug 10th 2015, 4:29 PM

    Well done, Shane! It’s the other Lowry that terrifies Enda.

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    Mute The Irish Bull
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    Aug 10th 2015, 10:24 AM

    Well done Shane. Enda, PFO!

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    Mute Seamus Brady
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    Aug 10th 2015, 9:31 AM

    Does this mean that Shanes family have paid the water tax

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    Mute Eamon Mac Gowan
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    Aug 10th 2015, 1:13 PM

    Fellow Clara man Brian Cowen will be even more pleased.

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    Mute Eugene Conroy
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    Aug 10th 2015, 10:29 AM

    shane lowry tells enda we are all not so proud of you efforts

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    Mute Des Doran
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    Aug 10th 2015, 9:55 AM

    And how much will he tax him when he’ gets home?

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    Mute Ray Laffan
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    Aug 10th 2015, 10:13 AM

    Hes like Charlie in Italia 90

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    Mute Irish big fellow
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    Aug 10th 2015, 11:39 AM

    Smashing stuff Shane. Pity the spoilers that have nothing else to do but be cynical about your great victory. We are all proud of of you including Enda and maybes even the Sports Dept in RTE.

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    Mute Barty
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    Aug 10th 2015, 10:31 AM

    Has Shane been claimed by the English yet?

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