Sen. George Allen: Singing "Stille Nacht" in English is an insult. . .

[Faygo Kid]

Just watching the Hardball interview with that mental giant, Sen. George Allen, who said he thinks the national anthem (the Star Spangled Banner, for visiting FReepers), should be sung in English - because, after all, Francis Scott Key WROTE it in English. I bow before this powerful intellect, and will not sing "Silent Night" - or "I Want to Hold Your Hand," for that matter - from now on in anything but original German.

[rodeodance]

1. his Western motiff included a noose.

[Faygo Kid]

5. Yes, he said he was a "rebellious youth." He was "anti-establishment."

He won't get away with this. I am older, but of the same generation. Confederate flag waving and nooses (noosi?) were not "rebellion," for God's sake, in the 60s, they were more repugnant than today, because they were not stupid symbols - they meant death, and they meant business (see, civil rights workers, 1964). Bite me, you Confederate yahoo.

[fooj]

15. Besides, if he had a noose hanging in his office...

He was long out of school. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard him say that crap. Ugh.....

[shain from kane]

2. The Jimi Hendrix version didn't have any words. His head must have

exploded when he heard that one.
What does he think about "Dixie"?

[MSgt213]

3. Well he is a very smart man who knows who he is....Maybe you just don't

get his anti-establishment confederate flag waving self. Have confederate flags ever been considered anti-establishment?

[Faygo Kid]

6. Just posted this about my younger idiot contemporary, Sen. Allen

Posted this elsewhere on DU. Anti-establishment? Youthful rebellion? Sure, if when he was young that was all you considered lynchings, burnings and colored drinking fountains to be - youthful rebellion. Now the Boomer DUers need to speak up, and shut the a-hole down.

He won't get away with this. I am older, but of the same generation. Confederate flag waving and nooses (noosi?) were not "rebellion," for God's sake, in the 60s, they were more repugnant than today, because they were not stupid symbols - they meant death, and they meant business (see, civil rights workers, 1964). Bite me, you Confederate yahoo.

[MSgt213]

9. Well I'm a bit younger then both of you being born in 1960, but I don't

ever remember the confederate version of the hippie fighting against the man. And Tweety didn't challenge him on it.

[grytpype]

4. Here's George Allen relaxing with some friends.

[POAS]

7. SHouldn't we then sing the original lyrics?

The melody was taken from an old English drinking song "To Anacreon in Heav'n", here are the lyrics:



To Anacreon in Heav'n, where he sat in full glee,
A few Sons of Harmony sent a petition;
That he their Inspirer and Patron wou'd be;
When this answer arrived from the Jolly Old Grecian;
"Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
No longer be mute,
I'll lend you my name and inspire you to boot,
And besides I'll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

The news through Olympus immediately flew;
When Old Thunder pretended to give himself airs.
If these Mortals are suffered their scheme to pursue,
The Devil, a Goddess, will stay above stairs.
"Hark," already they cry,
"In transports of joy,
Away to the Sons of Anacreon we'll fly.
And besides I'll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.

The Yellow-Haired God and his nine lusty Maids,
From Helion's banks will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast but of tenantless Shades,
And the bi-forked hill a mere desert will be.
My Thunder no fear on't,
Shall soon do it's errand,
And damme I'll swing the Ringleaders I warrant,
I'll trim the young dogs, for thus daring to twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Apollo rose up and said, "Pry'thee ne'er quarrel,
Good sing of the Gods with my Vot'ries below:
Your Thunder is useless"--then showing his laurel,
Cry'd "Sic evitable fulmen" you know!
"Then over each head
My laurels I'll spread
So my sons from your Crackers no mischief shall dread,
While snug in their clubroom, they jovially twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.'

Next Momus got up with his risible Phiz
And swore with Apollo he'd cheerfully join--
'The full tide of Harmony still shall be his,
But the Song, and the Catch, and the Laugh,
shall be mine.
Then Jove be not jealous
Of these honest fellows,"
Cry'd Jove, "We relent since the truth you now tell us;
And swear by Old Styx, that they long shall intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Ye Sons of Anacreon then join hand in hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
'Tis yours to support what's so happily plann'd;
You've the sanction of Gods, and the Fiat of Jove.
While thus we agree,
Our toast let it be:
"May our Club flourish Happy, United, and Free!
And long may the Sons of Anacreon intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

[Kutjara]

10. Much better.

I can definitely get behind this as an anthem:

"Ye Sons of Anacreon then join hand in hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
'Tis yours to support what's so happily plann'd;
You've the sanction of Gods, and the Fiat of Jove.
While thus we agree,
Our toast let it be:
"May our Club flourish Happy, United, and Free!
And long may the Sons of Anacreon intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Hell yeah!!

[Faygo Kid]

11. Good point. And Francis Scott Key's family wasn't exactly "family values"

His son was boinking the wife of Daniel Sickles, later a "colorful" general in the Civil War. Sickles found out, and blew him away. Sickles escaped conviction in the first ever acquittal in U.S. history based on the defense of temporary insanity. Bet George Allen doesn't know that (or much else - another W. in terms of intelligence and knowledge).

[Kutjara]

8. While we're at it...

...can we please give the tune for the hymn 'America' back to the British? It is after all, the tune of their national anthem 'God Save the Queen/King (delete as appropriate.)' How would we like it if the tune for our national anthem was stolen for someone else's song (never mind that the tune was borrowed by Francis Key in the first place)?

[Faygo Kid]

13. Not "America the Beautiful," but "My Country Tis of Thee"

Your point is well taken, and when I become dictator, I will go with "America the Beautiful," an achingly beautiful song, over "The Star Spangled Banner." Always liked Simon & Garfunkel's "All come, in search of America. . .", or whoever did "America, where are you now, don't you care about your sons & daughters. Don't you know, we need you now, we can fight along against the Monster." May have butchered these, but what the hell. Better than the drinking song we have now (nothing against drinking songs!!!). I do like "O Canada," and for you Canadians visiting here looking for a stud muffin. . .

[Kutjara]

14. Sorry, you're right. I just don't know my hymns.

Any of the ones you suggest would be an improvement on the current dirge. It's time we dropped the war-happy 'rockets' and 'bombs' in favor of something that defines us in more positive terms. Personally, I could really get behind the theme from 'Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.'

[alfredo]

12. That rug wearing asshole is going to run for president.

[rep the dems]

16. Yeah, but

he's gonna get his ass handed to him. I think he's up for reelection in the senate this year, does anyone know how he's doing in those polls?

[alfredo]

17. I'm not sure.

Check his state forum here.