I have just found this amazing website about national anthems from around the world. Not only do they have the lyrics, but several versions (including MP3 vocals) of about all national anthems, including old ones. Did you know for example that the UK's "God save the King/Queen" was also the national anthem of Imperial Germany until 1918 ? (listen here). It also has regional, unofficial anthems, as well as those of the Olympics, NATO, etc.
Did you know that the US national anthem was composed by an Englishman (John Stafford Smith) and that of Germany by an Austrian (Joseph Haydn).
Japan has the world's oldest anthem (Kimigayo).
What is your favourite anthems ? Personally :
The most engaging :
England (Rule Britannia) (a slightly better to be found here)
The most ceremonious :
England (Land of Hope and Glory)
The most emotional :
Russia/USSR
The most solemn :
Norway (instrumental)
Finland
Japan (Kimigayo)
The cutest :
The Netherlands (instrumental please !)
Switzerland (instrumental too)
The most lively and amusing :
Germany (Was ist - before 1866) - the Nazi version (Horst Wessel Song) is not bad either.
The most rythmic :
Brazil
Cuba (instrumental)
Greece (instrumental)
China
The most mystic :
India (absolutely vocal)
Japan (Gagaku style, as in Shinto temples)
For quick references to the main countries in good instrumental version, try this page
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