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> Americans generally are known to be more overtly patriotic than the citizens of most other countries
Right on plutarch.
I'd say the Poms are right up there as well (one guy in my office - a Pom) even has "Land of Hope and Glory" as his mobile's ring tone.
As per the comment above, "flag waver" is a derogatory term here - akin to "bleeding heart", "tree hugger" etc.
Like many Australians I suspect, I don't have a problem with overt displays of patriotism (more's the better I say), but it's not something that we do in Australia. Same with clutching the breast during the anthem or holding a corner of a flag - doesn't happen (there are a few sportspeople that do it, but it's not the rule - we are taught to stand to attention during the anthem. Probably a British 'stiff upper lip' sort of thing).
As has been pointed out previously, many Ozzies don't know ALL the words of the National Anthem. And, if they do, I bet they are unsure how many stars are on the flag. Or how many points there are on the big star - or the little ones for that matter. Or why. As for being able to pick it from the NZ flag when the two are flying side by side......70% maybe.
It's probably a rejection of the British history and aspects of 'the flag' (I've never heard it called anything else). Many these days are not impressed by the presence of the Union Jack. (Not in sufficient quantities to do anything about it I might add......).
Nevertheless we love our country just as much as anybody else - smug in the knowledge that it IS the best place in the world. Everybody else just thinks they've got it good. We know we DO.
stales
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I'd say the Poms are right up there as well (one guy in my office - a Pom) even has "Land of Hope and Glory" as his mobile's ring tone.
*Way, way out of date as an observation on mainland UK as far as I would register, stales - I doubt if this is true of more than one in a hundred people under the age of 50. Bear in mind, also, the strange effect of expatriate communities or peoples the world over - they tend to become "more English than England" about whatever are their respective roots.
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I suppose we sometimes refer to the Canadian flag as The Maple Leaf. For obvious reasons. There's an old song called "The Maple Leaf Forever" which I periodically play to death on the piano.
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Carpal Tunnel
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I recall that Scott Joplin wrote (among others) "The Maple Leaf Rag" - any connection?
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Joplin also wrote marches, I believe, which made me think of Sousa. Some years ago some IDIOT took the liberty of adding words to some of Sousa's best-known marches, including the Washington Post March.
The first line:
A Washington post is an important post...
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH
TEd
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"The Maple Leaf Rag" - any connection?Not sure, since I don't know how The Maple Leaf Rag goes. However, I have found a site with the LYRICS of The Maple Leaf Forever The Maple Leaf Forever - Lyrics
In Days of yore, From Britain's shore Wolfe the dauntless hero came And planted firm Britannia's flag On Canada's fair domain. Here may it wave, Our boast, our pride And joined in love together, The thistle, shamrock, rose entwined, The Maple Leaf Forever.
[CHORUS] The Maple Leaf Our Emblem Dear, The Maple Leaf Forever. God save our Queen and heaven bless, The Maple Leaf Forever.
At Queenston Heights and Lundy's Lane Our brave fathers side by side For freedom's home and loved ones dear, Firmly stood and nobly died. And so their rights which they maintained, We swear to yeild them never. Our watchword ever more shall be The Maple Leaf Forever
[CHORUS]
Our fair Dominion now extends From Cape Race to Nootka Sound May peace forever be our lot And plenty a store abound And may those ties of love be ours Which discord cannot sever And flourish green for freedom's home The Maple Leaf Forever
[CHORUS]However, it's hard to compare to The Maple Leaf Rag without the music. (Actually, it's a bit cheesy either way. Just fun to play on the piano.) I'll work on finding an online version of the song. EDIT: Here's a site with the lyrics, and you can click to hear a terrible MIDI version of the melody. Whatever works! http://ingeb.org/songs/indaysof.html
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Not sure, since I don't know how The Maple Leaf Rag goes.MIDI files at http://www.trachtman.org/ragtime/ -- also includes sheet music for this particular rag. Maple Leaf Rag was Joplin's first commercial success and kicked off the ragtime era. One of my favorites (also on that site) is Magnetic Rag, his last composition, which for years was difficult to find becuase of copyright matters.
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Nevertheless we love our country just as much as anybody else - smug in the knowledge that it IS the best place in the world. Everybody else just thinks they've got it good. We know we DO.
Aaah, stales I'm standing here with one hand on my bleeding heart, the other clutching the corner of the Aussie flag and saying "Hats off" (cross-threading) to you ... I couldn't have said it better m'self .
Wearing a black band on one of those very patriotic arms, mourning the loss of my hero Steve Waugh as Limited Overs Cricket Captain. He was robbed!
Hev
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