Which country's national anthems do you find the most stirring?

Joining the choir on this one.

Best: Russia/USSR

Runner up: France

Worst: Japan

Runner up: Great Britain

Billy Connolly suggested the theme tune to The Archers as a suitable replacement for the deary God Save the King. I could get behind that.

None for me.

When we were kids in England, they would play "God Save the Queen" after the last movie in cinemas. We would duck out as soon as the credits came on so we didn't have to stand up while they played it.

OK, the national anthem concludes the Proms, but after some robust 'LoHaG'.

The UK has a host of anthems associated with national identity.

'God Save the King/Queen' (national anthem), 'Rule Britannia', 'Jerusalem' (used as an anthem by suffragettes and the England Cricket team), 'Land of Hope and Glory' (which usually concludes the Proms concerts) and 'Abide With Me' (which is sung before the FA Cup Final). Each of what were the regions, now called 'nations' (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), have their own anthems, unofficial anthems, and stadium songs too.

'God Save the King/Queen', the American anthem, 'My Country 'Tis of Thee', and 'Oben am Jungen Rhein' (the national anthem of Liechtenstein), share the same tune.

Most football clubs have their own anthems too. Most of the planet associate 'You'll Never Walk Alone' with Liverpool, but Borussia Dortmund and Glasgow Celtic fans also sing it. Everton take to the pitch to the theme from the 60s/70s TV series 'Z-Cars' (as have Watford, Sunderland and Workington, at various times). West Ham have 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles', Man City, 'Blue Moon'.

Attempts to tinker with the words of anthems to make them more politically correct, or trying to ban them, meets with considerable opposition. Attempts to ban Tom Jones' 'Delilah' by Welsh rugby authorities ended badly. It is also sung by Stoke City supporters. 'Jerusalem' is popular at funerals in the UK, and many request that the 'original version' is played (with 'England' rather than 'Britain').

Ah_soToday 04:04 am JST

The French have this was nailed with their uplifting uplifting anthem that your can roar out, even if your limited French means it has to just be, "Lala la la la la la la laaaa lala..."

Wow, you are right. That is possibly the most violent of all of them. "Let the impure blood water our fields!"

The French have this was nailed with their uplifting uplifting anthem that your can roar out, even if your limited French means it has to just be, "Lala la la la la la la laaaa lala..."

The Italian one !!

Just going by the lyrics and melody, "March of the Volunteers" is actually very stirring. I practiced it as a kid and find myself singing it even now on rare occasions, for no particular reason.

The Scottish national anthem (Scotland the Brave, not Flower of Scotland)

Surely you mean Scots Wha Hae. That was always considered the Scottish anthem when I was young. It can certainly be described as "stirring", and quite violent. I understand Burns wrote it in support of the French Revolution, but he couldn't say that directly as he would have been jailed (or worse).

By oppression's woes and pains! 

By your sons in servile chains! 

We will drain our dearest veins, 

But they shall be free!

The Scottish national anthem (Scotland the Brave, not Flower of Scotland), the French and, despite Putin and his cronies, the Russian anthem.

I like the German anthem, but I keep seeing panzers in my head lol

Most stirring? That sounds a little violent - visions of ugly nationalism.

The song below (Hermless, by Michael Marra) was proposed as a new national anthem for Scotland. Stirring in the sense of stirring your tea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F44WfZoIN4

Ukraine's national anthem is also a banger, particularly when sung by cossacks (alright not technically cossacks I guess)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJjg-rFDVtg

Let's not forget: the Russian anthem is essentially the Soviet one. No doubt they had some great composers in Russia. It's a pity they still are an unreformed imperial state.

Bit cliche but America's Star Spangled Banner comes to mind. It's such a rousing anthem and various artists have done great renditions of it. Also, not their national anthem? but Singapore wrote a song for their National Day called We Are Singapore; and the song, especially its second chorus is quite moving. Lastly, as others have mentioned here, Russia's national anthem really makes you sit up straight and pay attention. I remember hearing it played at the Olympics and was like "wow!".

Russia's is a real banger I have to admit. I'd be willing to invade my neighbours after hearing it I reckon. Different gravy.

Wales, France, Italy, Russia all good.

Worst? Japan is dire but nothing quite as miserable as "God save the Queen or King". Sounds like something to be played at a funeral. Rule Britannia would be much better!

The UK, Russia and France.

Nothing awkward about the Russian national anthem...GBR48

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOAtz8xWM0w

The Russian people hold close to there heart.

"Kimi Ga Yo" - Japan National Anthem Japanese & English lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29FFHC2D12Q

French National Anthem - "La Marseillaise" (FR/EN)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIQSEq6tEVs

National anthem of Australia - Advance Australia Fair (lyrics)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl8eKxI-zeU

My Favourite by an country mile Australia’s:Waltzing Matilda.......You have my vote Gene Hennigh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ52jOcXlfc

Ok Waltzing Matilda is a patriot’s anthems

All the above I find capture the soul of the nations.

Australia's unofficial national anthem is, "Waltzing Matilda." That one is great. But unofficial. Most all national anthems lack in music and lyrics. They are more like psalms.

(Unfortunately) Russia. Awkward.

For lyrics, 'The Red Flag'. It is the anthem of the British Labour Party and of the Tooting Popular Front. Power to the People! I think the JCP use a version of it.

The Welsh anthem was mentioned - 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' ('Land of My Fathers'). Check this out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwdZOHm8r-Y

Wales also has an unofficial anthem, 'Yma o Hyd'. It's essentially a Welsh nationalist protest song (directed at the English). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emPhXdwhQoE

North Korea. When you here that baby you know good days are just ahead.

The French and Italian.

Despite my hatred of Putin, I think Russia has a great national anthem. The country itself has a long and interesting history, with great achievements in areas like the arts: it's such a shame that the people have suffered with terrible leadership for so long (Tsarism, communism, Putinism.)

Not a great fan of Japan's anthem, to be honest.

MoonrakerToday 09:05 am JST

Wales is quite nice with a male voice choir.

Seconded!

Wales is quite nice with a male voice choir. Apart from that, generally, I despise anthems and always turn down the sound while they are playing on TV. I will listen out for Kiribati though, since I don't know it.

In the quaint tropics of Kiribati, their anthem resonates throughout the island, stirring citizens to twirl in synchrony, gyrating enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, their anthem prompts joyful bouncing, showing that even tiny and obscure nations can have a sense of national pride.

And let's not forget the elusive Principality of Sealand, where the anthem echoes throughout the oil platform, causing spontaneous outbreaks of jig.

These obscure anthems may not be well-known, but they certainly know how to get a nation (and myself) moving!