Nations: Mania: Anthem

Louis ArmstrongIf the Manic flag is an intricate mess of symbols, the anthem is a simple expression of joy.

In our passion to change the world, we can become so involved in the work of politics that we forget why we began. Ultimately, political struggle, though the right course in an unjust world, is merely a means, not an end. If it is bathed in glory, it is glory borrowed from the liberty and joy it will bring. The poignancy of pregnancy derives from the prospective birth of a child: without that, it would be a nasty sickness - just months of backache, throwing up, and swollen ankles.

It is for this reason that the anthem of Mania is not one of those fine songs, from the International to John Lennon's Imagine, written to criticise the insanities in our society and inspire struggle, but rather a song celebrating human joy - the ultimate purpose of that struggle.

Bob Thiele and George WeissWhat a wonderful world was written by George Weiss and Bob Thiele, first performed by the inimitable Louis Armstrong, and released as a single in 1968. Since then it has been covered by many different artists, from Sam Cooke to thrash metaller Ghoul, but Armstrong's original recording remains the version played on great Manic occassions of state, and sometimes on less great occassions.

To hear it, click here. There is no need to stand.

What a Wonderful World

I see trees of green, red roses too,
I see them bloom for me and you,
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night,
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by,
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?",
They're really saying "I love you".

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know,
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world,
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

Oh, yeah...