I can’t believe that I’m writing about this. Up until now, I’ve ignored the whole “Star Spangled Banner sung in Spanish” pseudo-controversy, because its extremely dumb (knowing the history of the Star Spangled Banner itself).
But, since I’m reading other lame comments on the topic, I feel compelled to add my own.
The lyrics of Hawaii’s state song (state anthem, if you will) is in the Hawaiian language. This makes sense, especially since it was written by King Kalakaua (the Merry Monarch ) in 1874 and was the kingdom's anthem from 1874 to 1893. There’s also (several) English translations of the song, but (as far as I’m aware of) its always sung in the native Hawaiian. Is this “unamerican”? I don’t think so, and I doubt that any (rational) “natives” (that is “locals”) of Hawaii would think it was. It just makes sense that a place with a non-English tradition as long as Hawaii’s (a tradition that predates the United States of America) would have a non-English anthem.
I say if folks want to sing the Star Spangled Banner in Spanish, French, or Serbo-Croatian, let ‘em. After all, they’re singing our song (all of ours).
Remember Me
© Copyright 2009 Bill Rapoza Theme Design by Bryan Bell newtelligence dasBlog 1.8.5223.0 || | Page rendered at 1/7/2009 3:54:40 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00) Pick a theme: BlogXP calmBlue Candid Blue dasBlog Discreet Blog Blue Elegante essence Just Html Mono Movable Radio Blue Movable Radio Heat orangeCream Portal Slate Sound Waves Tricoleur