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Music Notes #15
Aug. 5th, 2015 11:49 pmHeil Dir Im Siegerkranz 
My Country 'Tis of Thee
These two icons were named after songs that share commonality with "God Save the Queen." They use the same melody, but different words. These are not translations, but whole new lyrics created by authors to Americanize/Germanize the melody.
"My Country 'Tis of Thee" was once the de facto anthem of the United States of America before "The Star Spangled Banner" became the anthem. It's still referenced occasionally in public speeches, taught in public schools, and sung (at least, the first stanza is, not the rest of the song), but not as much as the national anthem or other American patriotic songs.
"Heil dir im Siegerkranz" was the official national anthem of the German Empire from 1871 (when Germany was united as one country under Prussian rule) to 1918 (when Germany lost WWI, the Kaiser abdicated, and the German republic was declared).
Since I had already used "God Save the Queen," I thought it would be interesting to use two other songs that were based on it for different icons. The circumstances were also taken into account when assigning the icons. Nonon looks like she's commanding her minions like an Emperor for the "Siegerkranz" icon, and Nonon looks like she's individually reflecting on something in appreciation for the "'Tis of Thee" icon.
"My Country 'Tis of Thee" can be listened to here.
"Heil dir im Siegerkranz" can be listened to here.
My Country 'Tis of Thee
These two icons were named after songs that share commonality with "God Save the Queen." They use the same melody, but different words. These are not translations, but whole new lyrics created by authors to Americanize/Germanize the melody.
"My Country 'Tis of Thee" was once the de facto anthem of the United States of America before "The Star Spangled Banner" became the anthem. It's still referenced occasionally in public speeches, taught in public schools, and sung (at least, the first stanza is, not the rest of the song), but not as much as the national anthem or other American patriotic songs.
"Heil dir im Siegerkranz" was the official national anthem of the German Empire from 1871 (when Germany was united as one country under Prussian rule) to 1918 (when Germany lost WWI, the Kaiser abdicated, and the German republic was declared).
Since I had already used "God Save the Queen," I thought it would be interesting to use two other songs that were based on it for different icons. The circumstances were also taken into account when assigning the icons. Nonon looks like she's commanding her minions like an Emperor for the "Siegerkranz" icon, and Nonon looks like she's individually reflecting on something in appreciation for the "'Tis of Thee" icon.
"My Country 'Tis of Thee" can be listened to here.
"Heil dir im Siegerkranz" can be listened to here.
