Is it not generally known that the first verse of the German national anthem is banned?

[MmeLindt]

Or is Pete Doherty really such an idiot?

Guardian article here actually fails to mention that the first verse is not just controversial, it is illegal to sing it in Germany.

Thanks to this thread, I've had "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit..." running around in my head all bloody afternoon...

My ds had a test on it, so I had to help him learn both lyrics and tune, all 3 dss have been running around singing it constantly for about 3 bloody weeks, watching world cup anthems on you tube etc etc grrr.

If he doesn't get top marks I'kk scream.

Actually, as the test was last week, we'd just started to recover, but now, thanks to ml, (and PD) it's all been raked up again. grrr

Pete Doherty, for example, is....

Of course it was done for attention,hasn't been in the news for a fewweeks has he after all?

One incident: highly suspicious (esp. when he has had to tlak himself deliberately intoposition to keep repeating said mistake).... two, given the Spanish incident, is just beyond.

Actually, presumably he would have to learn the anthem if he's going to sing it, and presumably in the course of finding it or having it being given to him, someone should have said "by the way, don't sing the first verse. It is hugely controversial as it was used by the Nazis". In his drug-addled little brain, I do imagine he may have got confused and thought they said "definitely sing the first verse", but it's more likely he did it to court controversy. He's pretty much fallen off the planet (celebrity planet that is) since he stopped dating Kate Moss. He has to do something to keep in the news.

Interestingly, the top result from Google for "german national anthem lyrics" doesn't explicitly say that the first verse shouldn't be used. It says that the first was the Nazi anthem, the second is not "forbidden" but isn't used because of it's "wine women and song" theme () and that the third is the modern official anthem.

But I still don't doubt that PD did it on purpose.

I had no idea (but then I've never needed to know, iyswim)

he is such a useless waste of space - i can't believe i gave up my time to read shit about him - or write it.

enough of this for that pathetic excuse for a fucking human being

At the risk of sounding dorky beyond belief, the first verse is not banned. The German Wikipedia (o fount of all wisdom!) says there was a court case confirming that fact in Luneburg in 2003.

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutschlandlied

What I didn't know is that the third verse is actually protected by law (as a symbol of the state), and you cannot disparage it. Unless you are an artist and then you can claim artistic freedom.

Not that Doherty is an artist, of course.

I didn't know and I aren't fick or noffin

I didn't know that the first verse is a no-no, this is the first I've heard of it.

I did know that one of the verses of 'God Save The Queen' was removed because it talked about crushing 'rebellious Scots'. (It was removed in 1745 apparently though )

He is a vile character.

It is a shame because the Libertine's first album is great. I always feel a bit grubby listening to it though. He is a hideous waste of space.

wow you learn something new every day,
not that PD is a pratt I knew that, but never knew that about the german national athem

I learnt all three verses in primary school (mid-80s) in Germany, but it was made clear to us that the first two verses are not to be used.
I suppose I wouldn't really expect a non-German national to know it's taboo - although he must have obviously looked up the music & words for it somewhere, and everywhere will point out that the first two verses are not acceptable.

oh and of course I've now got 'voooon der Maaaas bis an die Meeehemel' going round my head

He also should have twigged when he did it the first time around and people started booing and hissing that there was something amiss, but then decided to sing it again 3 times.
Pete Doherty, for example, is DEFINITELY a twat

I had no idea, this is the first I've heard of it.
I know the tune, but only because of F1

Did you know that the second verse of the Australian National Anthem is not used anymore?

And here it is

When gallant Cook from Albion sail'd,
To trace wide oceans o'er,
True British courage bore him on,
Till he landed on our shore.
Then here he raised Old England's flag,
The standard of the brave;
With all her faults we love her still,
"Brittannia rules the wave!"
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

I didn't know.

"he must have obviously looked up the music & words for it somewhere, and everywhere will point out that the first two verses are not acceptable."

As I pointed out, the top Google hit for "german anthem lyrics" doesn't.

cakeywakey there are some much more recent verses of the British national anthem that have been quietly forgotten, not just the 1745 Scot-crushing one

ditto the one in All Things Bright And Beautiful that implies that God sanctioned poverty and the class system...

Really MrsBadger? Did not know that. The ATBB verse sounds charming

[coughs]

Oh Lord our God arise
Scatter her enemies and make them fall
Confound their politics
Frustrate their knavish tricks
On thee our hopes we fix
God save us all!

and

The rich man in his castle
The poor man at his gate
God made the high and lowly
And ordered their estate...

Bravo MrsB, a lovely tone. Shame about your choice of song. I blame Louis myself

no doubt he knew what he was up to, i'd love to know what his thinking behind it was though.as in did he do it looking for the reaction he got or did he expect it to become some post-modern ironic monthy python skit.
either way stupid thing to do.
i still love his music though.