David Bruce wrote: > And for anyone else who looks on the Marseillaise as "revolutionary music", > remember that, in north Africa especially, it is seen as an oppressive icon of > French imperialism, as bloody a symbol of butchery as the Union Jack flag. > > If you have ever seen French military strutting whilst singing it, you will > sympathise with this point of view. In Algeria in the old days, it was the > racists who sang this now (for me) loathsome song. It's still sung regularly at > Le Penn rallies in France, as well as (less significantly) before some sporting > events. > Similarly the American National Anthem. But I think its is because both France and America betrayed their revolutionary past and corrupted their revolutionary songs. > > BTW, the posts on Hans Eisler et al have been fascinating. I'm off to find out > more. > I agree. Please post more, everyone. Henry C.K. Liu
