The Nazi-era German national anthem was played when the gold medals were awarded to German rowers Anne Knorr and Debora Niche at the World Sprint Canoe Championships in Szeged on Friday.
The version played at the ceremony includes the line “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,” prohibited since 1952.
“It was an unacceptable mistake, but we do not suppose any intention,” said German kayak-canoe association president Thomas Konietzko.
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It had to be a mistake I would think. Talk about dated sheet music. Most non-german epople don’t know that although the melody and most of the words are the same, the traditional first two stanzas are not sung on public occassions. Gone is the classic “Deutschland über alles”, (which BTW the cynic Nietsche felt was “the dumbest phrase in the world”).
Personally, I’ve always liked it as a tune- the melody conveyes some self confidence, with it’s use of the major musical chords. Our Hungarian anthem reverts to the minor chords, which give a moody sound, and gives the impression not of a conquering successful epople, but rather one celebrating defeat or defiance and survival in the face of, or the wake of defeat. It wasn’t in us to come up with a rousing, upbeat tune.