Anthems: the Liechtenstein compromise
I was listening to the Nolan show this morning on which the young unionist, Stephen Warke, took the IRFU to task for its decision not to play "God Save The Queen" before tonight's international rugby match against Italy at Ravenhill. The IRFU says the "Soldier Song" and "Ireland's Call" will be played when the team is in the Republic, but only "Ireland's Call" outside the jurisdiction. The decision has caused quite a rumpus on the Ulster Rugby Fans Forum.
I'm not sure what the solution is, but it struck me as ironic that in the same week that we have a political controversy over no "God Save the Queen" at Ravenhill, we heard it twice at Windsor Park, as the same melody is used for Liechtenstein's "Oben am jungen Rhein" (something my colleague Kevin Connolly explained expertly on yesterday's Talkback.)
So perhaps when the Rugby World Cup is done and dusted and the IRFU is seeking to arrange further friendlies for Ravenhill they should fix a match with a Liechtenstein XV, thus ensuring that the tunes of both "Ireland's Call" and "God Save The Queen" will be played. There is such a team, whose link I provide below. It might be a sporting mismatch, but it's a perfect anthemic compromise.
Oh and there's no truth to the rumour that the team's known as the "Duchy Originals"
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I think we are back to the small mindedness which people like Stephen Warke are intent on upholding over the playing of national anthems. Lets get over this petty mindedness and rediculous waste of time spent on trivial issues. I have no time for Stephen Nolan giving air time to this issue. Talk about some real issues please. The future doesnt bode well if this is the attitude of a Young Unionist
Yes and the future doesnt bode well for the "Shared Future" agenda or a long sought after pipe dream that is a united (sp?) Ireland, if "trival" issues like this is anything to go by. Talk about hypocrisy and double speak.