xenophobic jerk

[trochee]

I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English.

might as well say "English -- the language the Bible was written in". Because Francis Scott Key has the direct line on the Original Intent, dontcha know.

I wonder if he's upset about the modifications to the melody too?

ETA: Erik Bakovic has more on Language Log.

Comments

[q-pheevr.livejournal.com]

Well, I think everyone should learn and sing the original lyrics, dammit.

To Anacreon in Heav'n,
Where he sat in full glee,
A few Sons of Harmony
Sent a petition
That he their Inspirer
And Patron would be;
When this answer arrived
From the Jolly Old Grecian:
"Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
No longer be mute,
I'll lend you my name
And inspire you to boot,
And besides I'll instruct you,
Like me, to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."

[trochee.livejournal.com]

heh.

[q-pheevr.livejournal.com]

I mean, it may not have anything to do with the United States, but it beats the hell out of rubbish like this:

And where is that band
Who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war
And the battle's confusion
A home and a country
Should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out
Their foul footsteps' pollution!

Tortuous syntax and a level of raw bloodlust matched (in the anthemic genre) only by "La Marseillaise." Is this really what Bush wants immigrants to learn about their adoptive country?

[trochee.livejournal.com]

I'm not even sure what that *means* ! but it's clear that the Klingons would approve.