Patriotic oddities

11 craziest national anthems — including Spain’s wordless march

Image: Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández

National anthems are meant to inspire pride and unity, but some stand out for their oddities—whether in lyrics, melody, or length. From surprisingly short tunes to unconventional themes and even wordless anthems, these 11 national songs break the mold. Join us on a melodic journey around the world!

Image: Colton Jones

Japan’s anthem, Kimigayo, is one of the shortest in the world, lasting only about 45 seconds. Despite its brevity, Kimigayo dates back more than a thousand years, as its lyrics are based on a poem from the Heian period (794-1185).

Though in modern times the emperor of Japan has taken on a symbolic role, the lyrics express wishes for the emperor’s reign to endure eternally. The melody, for its part, is a minimalist composition that contrasts with the grandiose style found in many other national anthems.

Image: Daniel Prado

Spain’s anthem, La Marcha Real, is one of the few national anthems without official lyrics. Used since the 18th century, this purely instrumental anthem leaves words to personal or regional interpretation.

Attempts to add lyrics over time have failed due to political and cultural divisions, reflecting Spain’s complex history of strong regional identities.

Image: Mister Paps

Mozambique’s anthem, Pátria Amada, is the only national anthem in the world to explicitly mention a weapon of war—the Soviet-designed AK-47 rifle—as a symbol of defense and liberation. The silhouette of this rifle is even depicted on the national flag.

But despite appearances, the anthem is not merely a militaristic boast; it reflects the country’s struggle for independence, honoring the weapon that played a key role in overthrowing colonial rule.

Image: Alex Houque

Curiously, Liechtenstein’s anthem shares its melody with the British anthem, "God Save the Queen." The tiny principality adopted the tune in the 19th century, though with different lyrics.

However, this musical borrowing isn’t as unusual as it seems, since many countries at the time used the same tune, which in turn is believed to have originated from a traditional folk melody.

Image: Thiago de Andrade

Switzerland has four official national anthems; one for each of its four official languages. Each linguistic region uses the anthem in its own language: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

This multilingual approach embodies the country’s cultural diversity, ensuring every citizen hears the anthem in their native tongue.

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Unlike many national anthems that focus on heroes or battles, Dominica’s anthem highlights the island’s lush nature and the value of freedom.

It’s easy to see why natural beauty forms the foundation of national identity, given the island’s extensive jungles and thermal waters.

Image: Caleb Miller

The Vatican’s anthem is technically the Papal Anthem, which represents the Pope, not the state itself.

As a religious sovereign entity, the Vatican lacks a traditional national anthem, emphasizing the spiritual rather than territorial nature of the city-state.

Image: Magdalena Smolnicka

Malta’s anthem, L-Innu Malti, is one of the shortest national anthems, with lyrics in Maltese, a Semitic language with Romance influences.

Its melody is simple and direct, highlighting the island nation’s resilience and the cultural blend between European and Arabic influences.

Image: Григорий Захарьян

Turkmenistan’s anthem is known for its length and poetic language, extensively praising both the president and the country’s beauty.

Adopted in 1996 under the country’s authoritarian regime, the anthem blends national pride with glorification of leadership and has been subtly adjusted over time to mirror shifts in the country’s power structure.

Image: Matt Artz

Greece’s Hymn to Liberty is the longest national anthem in the world, consisting of 158 stanzas.

Written by Dionysios Solomos in 1823 during the Greek War of Independence, it originally was a lengthy poem celebrating freedom from Ottoman rule. Only the first two stanzas are officially used as the anthem, but the full text reflects deep historical and patriotic significance.

Image: Pedro Slinger

Uruguay’s anthem, Himno Nacional, is famously long and musically intricate, often lasting over four minutes.

Composed in 1833 by Francisco José Debali, it features multiple sections and a dramatic, operatic style. While its full text is shorter than Greece’s anthem, more stanzas are typically performed at public events, making it longer in practice.

THE GAME IS ON

Take a Dive into these 12 Sports Terms

Image: Jannes Glass

Each sport has its slang, shared by both players and fans as an inside language meant for those in the know. These words and expressions come from all over the place, with origins as varied as the messages they convey.

While some are secret words only used within the realm of the sport, others are very well known and have transcended barriers to become part of the universal lexicon. On this list, we've gathered some terms that made the jump from sports to everyday life. Care to take a look and see how many of these you know?

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

The phrase "beat someone to the punch" is one of those expressions that has made its way into pop culture. It originates from the world of boxing, where landing a punch before your opponent can be a game-changer.

Imagine a boxer anticipating their opponent's move, reacting quickly, and delivering a punch before the adversary can counter. That's the essence of "beating someone to the punch." Beyond boxing, this phrase transmits the importance of quick thinking and staying one step ahead.

Image: Travel Nomads

"Get the ball rolling" is another one of those multi-purpose phrases that has transcended its realm. Rooted in sports, particularly those in which a literal rolling-of-the-ball gets the game in motion, this idiom has transcended its athletic origins to become a versatile expression applicable in various contexts. It embodies the concept of taking the first step to activate a process or activity.

Image: Muyuan Ma

"Drop the ball" transcends its literal origins to become a metaphor for missed opportunities and blunders. Originating from the world of football, where a dropped ball signifies a failed play, the term has evolved to encapsulate moments of failure and disappointment across not only various sports but everyday life as well.

When an athlete or an everyday person "drops the ball," it means more than a mistake. It embodies a lapse in concentration, a missed chance to capitalize on a critical situation.

Image: leah hetteberg

Very few sports phrases carry as much drama as "Hail Mary." Originating from American football, this term describes a last-ditch, long-distance pass typically thrown in the last moments of a game. The name draws inspiration from a Christian prayer, emphasizing the low probability and high stakes of this bold play.

These days, "Hail Mary" is a metaphor for any last-minute attempt at success. Whether in business or personal endeavors, invoking the spirit of the "Hail Mary" signifies taking a bold leap with the outcome hanging in the air.

Image: Riley McCullough

The term "Monday Morning Quarterback" has become a staple in sports slang, describing the hindsight wisdom of fans or criticizing decisions made during a game, particularly in football. Coined from the idea that everyone seems to have a game plan on Monday, this phrase embodies the post-game analysis that occurs with the benefit of hindsight.

Image: Hermes Rivera

The phrase "to pull one's punches" emerges from the world of boxing, where precision and strategy are extremely important. To "pull one's punches" means to deliberately lessen the force or impact of a blow, demonstrating restraint and calculated finesse in the heat of competition.

Beyond the ring, the phrase has permeated various other sports and everyday language, symbolizing the art of strategic restraint. Whether in basketball, soccer, or business negotiations, the concept of pulling punches reflects the wisdom of holding back and strategically choosing when to unleash full force.

Image: Julia Joppien

The phrase "to win by a nose" encapsulates the excitement of a victory achieved by the slightest margin. Originating from horse racing, where horses often cross the finish line with only a nose-length advantage, this sports slang has transcended its equestrian roots to describe triumphs in various athletic endeavors.

The term has also become a metaphor for success in activities outside the track. Whether in business, academics, or personal achievements, "winning by a nose" emphasizes the resilience and determination required to secure victory when the competition is stiff.

Image: Joshua Peacock

You have heard this one for sure. The phrase "knocked it out of the park" stands as a beacon of success and accomplishment. Originating from the grandeur of baseball, where hitting a home run involves sending the ball soaring out of the stadium, this idiom has become a universal expression for achieving extraordinary feats.

The phrase has seamlessly integrated into everyday language, symbolizing exceptional achievements.

Image: John Fornander

Derived from the world of tennis, the phrase "the ball is in your court" is a popular idiom in everyday language. In tennis, when the ball is in a player's court, it signifies their responsibility to make the next move. This nuanced expression has found resonance beyond the tennis court, embodying the idea of personal accountability and decision-making.

In various settings, be it professional, personal, or otherwise, saying "the ball is in your court" implies that someone has the responsibility to take action or make a decision.

Image: Gerhard Crous

Whether in sports or life, being on the receiving end of a "cheap shot" is never a good thing. Originating particularly in contact sports like boxing and hockey, a cheap shot refers to an unfair or unsportsmanlike move, often aimed at surprising an opponent or causing them harm.

The expression has grown past the sports realm and "cheap shot" has become a metaphor for any unethical tactic used in various aspects of life. Labeling an action as a "cheap shot" means an attempt to gain an advantage through not-so-fair means.

Image: Keith Johnston

Someone who "takes one for the team" is sacrificing in favor of the collective effort. Originating from team sports, particularly in situations where an individual endures discomfort or adversity for the greater good of the team, this expression has found resonance beyond the athletic arena.

The phrase has become a metaphor for acts of sacrifice and altruism in various aspects of life. Whether in the workplace, friendships, or family dynamics, individuals who are willing to "take one for the team" exemplify the values of collaboration and putting the greater good above personal gain.

Image: Sigmund

Anyone who ever played the game of pool knows that having your cue ball behind the 8 ball is a rough spot to be in. In the lexicon of sports slang, the phrase "behind the 8 ball" paints a vivid picture of facing challenges and adversity. The expression has been used to describe the hardships individuals encounter in sports and life.

Whether dealing with setbacks at work or personal life, being "behind the 8 ball" signifies the need for resilience and strategic thinking to turn the tide in one's favor.