You know, watching the Olympics over the past couple of weeks, and more specifically the medal ceremonies, I notice that most of the athletes sing while on the stands. I found myself wondering what in the heck they were saying. Would anyone be willing to write out thier country's nation anthem? (And preferably supply an English translation as well. I know that will destroy any rhyming in the words, but I'm just curious as to what the words are.) I've also noticed that the U.S. has a very long national anthem. Most other coutries anthems last only about a minute.

http://www.sorcerers.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/7/6025.html?

I guess you haven't heard this one too much in the summer's olympics, but I'm posting it anyway ;)

"Ja, vi elsker dette landet"
Ja, vi elsker dette landet, som det stiger frem,
furet, værbitt, over vannet, med de tusen hjem.
Elsker, elsker det og tenker på vår far og mor
og den saganatt som senker drømmer på vår jord.

English translation:

Yes, we love with fond devotion
This our land that looms
Rugged, storm-scared o'er the ocean,
With her thousand homes.
Love her, in our love recalling
Those who gave us birth.
And old tales which night, in falling
Bring as dreams to earth.
And old tales which night, in falling
Bring as dreams, as dreams to earth.

And here's the melody ;)
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/5536/NORGE.mid

Du gamla du fria du fjällhöga nord
Du tysta du glädjerika fria
Jag hälsar dig vänaste land uppå jord
Din sol din himmel dina ängder gröna
Din sol din himmel dina ängder gröna

Du tronar på minnen från fornstora dar,
då ärat Ditt namn flög över jorden.
Jag vet att Du är och Du blir vad du var.
Ja, jag vill leva jag vill dö i Norden.
Ja, jag vill leva jag vill dö i Norden.

Ye old ye free ye mountainhigh north
Ye silent ye joyful free
I salute you most beautiful land upon Earth
Your sun your heaven your meadows green
Your sun your heaven your meadows green

You sit upon memories of ancient glory
When honoured your name flew round the globe
I know that you are and will be what you was
Yes, I want to live and die in the north
Yes, I want to live and die in the north

I actually had to look up the text, apparently there are two verses I didnt know about. Translation is completely mine.

Argentina has 3 versions of the national anthem: one usually used in sports events that is just the begining and the end (instrumental); the original (never used because is too long in lyrics) and the short that we use. It is hard for me to translate here where I'm posting, I'll do at home and tomorrow I'll post it (if is ok for the moderator)

Oid ¡mortales! el grito sagrado:
¡Libertad, Libertad, Libertad!
Oid el ruido de rotas cadenas:
Ved en trono a la noble igualdad.
Ya su trono dignísimo abrieron
las Provincias Unidas del Sud
y los libres del mundo responden:
Al gran pueblo argentino ¡Salud!
y los libres del mundo responden:
Al gran pueblo argentino ¡Salud!
Sean eternos los laureles
Que supimos conseguir
Coronados de gloria vivamos
o juremos con gloria morir.

The complete Australian National Anthem AFAIK:

Australians all let us rejoice
For we are young and free
We've 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 history's page let every stage
Advance Australia Fair

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands

For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair

In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia fair

But I think the song that's being used in Telstra ads on TV at the moment is better - "We Are Australia"

*wonders where HarbourBoy is and is surprised he hasn't posted already*

The NZ anthem is horrible at the best (yes, worse than the flag - very patriotic aren't I). Atleast when it's sung in Maori you can't understand the words.

God of nations! at Thy feet
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our Free Land.
Guard Pacific's triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand

Men of ev'ry creed and race
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our Free Land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our Free Land.
Lord of battles in thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our Free Land.
From dishonour and from shame
Guard our country's spotless name
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our Free Land.
Guide her in the nations' van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy Glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand. Then in Maori. Although only the first verse is usually sung (in both languages) and most kiwis probably wouldn't even know the others existed (except HB of course).

The Spanish anthem has no words, so our athlets have to whistle it. :)