Complex Numbers

Anthems

Ever listened to The Star-Spangled Banner? I mean, really listened to the words? The thing about our national anthem is that after a while, repetition robs it of its poetic force. And the thing was pretty damn poetic, at least until Roseanne Barr fucked it up at a baseball game.

Well, it turns out that as far as anthems go, ours is pretty tame. The British attacked; we kicked Tory ass; they went home with their union jacks between their legs. Now, they're practically the 51st state. Hell, we have more in common with England than we do with Hawaii. Still, if I had to choose which island to vacation on, it'd be the one with the volcano and hula skirts.

Anyway, here, Cracked presents national anthems that make ours look wimpy:

http://www.cracked.com/article_16735_6-national-anthems-that-will-make-you-tremb...

On Independence Day, Americans are probably feeling something approaching national pride. So we thought we'd take a closer look at the national anthem, that creepy ritual of bland patriotism.

We all know that the American national anthem tells the inspiring story of a brave flag that survives a scary night by believing in itself. But not all national anthems steal their plots from children's books. In fact, some countries aren't satisfied until their national anthem makes any child within earshot weep in terror. Here are six that take pride in their land to a whole new and insanely violent level.

Enjoy, and may the Fourth be with you today! (Unless you're from England, in which case... go eat a spotted dick or something.)