An Anthem Was Once Sung Back and Forth
An anthem is a song of identity. The word comes from antiphon, a chant sung alternately by two halves of a choir.
An anthem is a rousing song, especially one representing a nation. It began as *antiphon*, a piece sung alternately by two halves of a choir, one answering the other. English wore the word down over centuries until *antiphon* became *anthem*, and the alternating structure was forgotten while the grandeur remained.
- A national song. *The national anthem.*
- A choral church piece. *A cathedral anthem.*
- A song of identity. *A generational anthem.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | anthem | A stirring anthem. |
| Plural | anthems | Both anthems played. |
| Adjective | anthemic | An anthemic chorus. |
| Related | antiphon | A sung antiphon. |
| Related | hymn | A morning hymn. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The anthem is played before kick-off.National sense.
- The choir sang an anthem.Church music.
- The chorus is anthemic.Grand and singable.
Facts about national anthems
- Oldest melody in use — the Dutch Wilhelmus, dating to the sixteenth century
- Shortest — Japan's Kimigayo, at around thirty seconds
- No official words — Spain's Marcha Real has none
- Longest — Greece's official hymn runs to over a hundred stanzas
- Shared tunes — several anthems have used the melody of God Save the King
From Old English *antefn*, from Late Latin *antiphona*, from Greek *anti*, against or in return, and *phone*, voice.
Anthem or hymn?
A hymn is a song of praise, usually religious. An anthem is a set piece of identity, national or choral.
Which anthem is oldest?
The Dutch Wilhelmus has the oldest melody in current use, though it was only adopted officially in 1932.