Singer Opts for 'Black National Anthem'

[Demonpenz]

A jazz singer shocked some Denver residents after replacing the words to the national anthem with those of the "Black National Anthem" during the annual State of the City address this week.

Rene Marie was asked to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper delivered the annual address on Tuesday. Instead, she sang the lyrics of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" — a hymn commonly referred to as the "Black National Anthem" — to the tune of the national anthem, MyFOXColorado.com reported.

"If anyone has got a right to be angry it's probably me," Hickenlooper told the station. "I guess what I feel most is just deeply disappointed."

The mayor said only Marie, her husband and a musical adviser knew what the local jazz singer had in mind.

"What she said was that she was very sorry, that she meant no disrespect, that she was trying to make a creative expression of her love for the country," Hickenlooper said.

But the change in lyrics angered many residents, including City Councilman Charlie Brown.

"I was mad," he told MyFOXColorado.com. "I almost walked off the stage."

Brown said the matter needs to be addressed. "There is no substitute for the national anthem."

[chasedude]

Maybe they should have called Rosanne?

[stlchiefs]

I would have definitely walked off, in a VERY loud fashion. That is bs, the national anthem is not your song of choice, it is an established song. Focking bullchit.

[Demonpenz]

She probably did it to up her sales.

[Donger]

Nice.

Marie said she deliberately chose to sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" to the tune of the traditional anthem because she doesn't relate to the lyrics of the Star Spangled Banner.

"I wanted to express how I felt about living in this country as a black woman," Marie said.

[Demonpenz]

How do you explain this to kids. Now son treat everyone the same exept for black people.Dad that black woman sings whatever she wants.
Well son that is because we put a whippin in the 80's on the guy from reading rainbow

[Deberg_1990]

Total BS..

If she doesnt like Americas established customs and traditions, shes free to move to another country.

[Donger]

Is it really any worse than this?



I think I hear some extraneous words.

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Donger

Is it really any worse than this?

I don't understand why some singers really need to go "over-the-top" when singing songs like this? Keep the timing and syncopation the same and just sing the song the way it's written.

[tomahawk kid]

Not saying everyone has to like what she did, but that whole "Freedom of Speech" thing can be a real m#ther fucker can't it?

[mcan]

Yeah, it's pretty rude to take a chance like that when the function isn't really about you. If it goes over well, then you're golden. If it doesn't go over well, then you've ruined some other poor guys' night, but not your own. It's a selfish act of expression at an inappropriate time.


BUT!


Let's not get all high and mighty about it. It's times like these where a little bit of understanding and open mindedness can take an awkward situation and turn it into something positive. Only useless negativity and resentment result when two people get into a battle of pride and principles. Nobody died here. Nobody was trying to hurt anybody. In fact, nobody got hurt at all.

[Demonpenz]

One local resident added "If she wasn't going to sing the anthiem....she should atleast thrown in THE CAMPTOWN LADY"

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

Not saying everyone has to like what she did, but that whole "Freedom of Speech" thing can be a real m#ther fucker can't it?

Its just the whole total lack of respect for established customs and traditions i have a problem with.

Plus, she made it all about her. Some people just dont "get it" and probably never will.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

Not saying everyone has to like what she did, but that whole "Freedom of Speech" thing can be a real m#ther fucker can't it?

Yeah, pretty much. I personally think what she did was rude but I suppose she has the right to do it.

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by mcan

Yeah, it's pretty rude to take a chance like that when the function isn't really about you. If it goes over well, then you're golden. If it doesn't go over well, then you've ruined some other poor guys' night, but not your own. It's a selfish act of expression at an inappropriate time.


BUT!


Let's not get all high and mighty about it. It's times like these where a little bit of understanding and open mindedness can take an awkward situation and turn it into something positive. Only useless negativity and resentment result when two people get into a battle of pride and principles. Nobody died here. Nobody was trying to hurt anybody. In fact, nobody got hurt at all.

You expressed my point much more eloquently that I did.

Totally agree this was inappropriate given the event and occasion. However, I'm glad I live in a country where someone can do something like this should they choose to do so and not get stoned for it.

Everyone might not like it (myself included), but I would hope that everyone would keep an open mind and fight off the immediate urge or negativity towards the woman or the choice she made.

See the councilman who said, "I almost walked off stage". fucking please. Grow up, be an adult and afford that woman the same rights you take for granted and enjoy yourself.

I'm sure there's been times when Mr. Charlie Brown said something that not everyone agreed with and he wasn't berated for it.

Some folks across the country don't agree with the Arrowhead faithful inserting "CHIEFS" at the end of the anthem - BUT we in KC don't consider it disrespectful, just a tradition and part of our expression of not only the anthem, but how we relate to it as part of our homefield advantage.

What this woman did isn't so different from what we do at every Arrowhead home game if you think about it in those terms.