Wasn’t it great to hear “Advance Australia Fair” and “Land of our Fathers” sung properly at the other day’s Wales versus Australia rugby international?
Particularly with the Australian anthem, we are generally given for matches played in Australia, some whiny, nasally version from someone who cannot sing and are only there because of some “celebrity” status.
To hear both the anthems sung by the Welsh male choir (and the crowd) was a sheer pleasure that brought tears to my eyes.
Who on earth selects the so-called singers for the anthems at Australian hosted sporting fixtures?
Copies of the singing at Cardiff should be shown to administrators of all sporting groups to show how the national anthems should be presented.
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wallythefly said | December 2nd 2008 @ 8:09am | Report comment
Yes! Absolutely!
Yikes said | December 2nd 2008 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Amen!
Taylor Bridge said | December 2nd 2008 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
On the money, it wa s bread from heaven.
if John williamson cant do it get him to delegate a clone.
mtngry said | December 2nd 2008 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
We need baritones to sing Advance Australia fair and give everyone a chance to hit the high notes.
Dave said | December 2nd 2008 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
Taylor Bridge, ANYONE but John Williamson!! When he sings, the entire world is treated to a fabricated ‘ocker accent the likes of which hasn’t been heard since Barry McKenzie.
Homer said | December 2nd 2008 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Bring back the Brumbies Choir. 30 bearded, beer gutted men belting out Tie me Kangaroo Down Sport will get the team pumping.
Love the Welsh singing. Fantastic to listen to in the pub agfter the game as well, they just keep going and going.
Dublin Dave said | December 2nd 2008 @ 8:45pm | Report comment
Absolutely!!!
National anthems should be sung by a choir or played by a military or police brass band. This habit of getting some X-factor contestant to sing a “soulful” version of a national anthem that does not lend itself to such a treatment is one import from the United States that should be sent back immediately marked “Damaged Goods”.
One of the most cringe making experiences of my life occurred a long time ago during a fleeting (and now happily passed) infatuation with American Football. I went to the World Bowl at Wembley, the final of a competition featuring teams from around the world but which were almost entirely made up of NFL rejects. The London Monarchs played the Barcelona Dragons and at the start of the game, the local national anthem God Save the Queen was played.
Traditionally, the band of the Royal Marines would have done the honours but this was an American show so they did it their way. Into the centre of the pitch strode The Moody Blues, who, even in 1991were aging rockers with shoulder length wispy grey hair. Two of them were carrying acoustic guitars and the third had a toy drum strapped across his shoulders. Everybody stood to respectful attention as they tuned up and started to play.
Can you imagine the horror? Ever seen 80,000 shudder in aghast embarassment for nearly 30 seconds?
I have.