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Thread ID: 134921 2013-09-03 09:17:00 nz national anthem meaning andreap (17151) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1352667 2013-09-07 00:15:00 I just saw this line in the last verse:

"Guide her in the nations' van"

The nation's van!

Note the use of the definite article. "The" indicates this nation only owns one van.

Not two or three vans. Not a Fleet of vans. Not a collection of Vans. Just one. The nation's van. But obviously it must be a very large van to contain the nation.

Does our van possess a current WOF, or if rented from Avis or Hertz or Rent a Dent, a COF?

Is it a Nissan, a Ford, a Mercedes, a Morris Minor? Why doesn't our anthem tell us?

What colour is our van?

These questions need to be answered. Immediately if not sooner. Our anthem doesn't tell us!

:annoyed:

Tis short for Vanguard (en.wikipedia.org) :lol:
feersumendjinn (64)
1352668 2013-09-07 01:01:00 Any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

The leading units moving at the head of an army
Cicero (40)
1352669 2013-09-07 02:32:00 And what are you thoughts on the Haka??

Re-manufactured gibberish. I view it much the same as I would if the wallabies came out in holding a didgeridoo each while hopping around a fire.

Granted its now so much a part of the All Blacks that it has its place, otherwise I'd be happy if I'm never subjected to another.
Metla (12)
1352670 2013-09-07 02:36:00 Having said all that, I'd actually just get rid of the English version, Do it in Maori.

While we are at it, lets rename the country,change the flag, and revert all place names back to those used by the prior inhabitants of the country.

Turn the entire country into a Themed amusement park, We can dress up all the descendents in grass skirts, get them to poke their tongues out at the Tourists, day trips into black power houses, an afternoon at Wins, then a weekend pissup and a family trip to KFC (Kai for children).....

Chur Bro
Metla (12)
1352671 2013-09-07 02:47:00 I think the shaft refers to how the current government are treating us
Sounds about right to me
Agent_24 (57)
1352672 2013-09-07 05:45:00 Tis short for Vanguard (en.wikipedia.org) :lol:

:thumbs:
WalOne (4202)
1352673 2013-09-07 06:05:00 Having said all that, I'd actually just get rid of the English version, Do it in Maori.

While we are at it, lets rename the country,change the flag, and revert all place names back to those used by the prior inhabitants of the country.

Turn the entire country into a Themed amusement park, We can dress up all the descendents in grass skirts, get them to poke their tongues out at the Tourists, day trips into black power houses, an afternoon at Wins, then a weekend pissup and a family trip to KFC (Kai for children).....

Chur Bro

I am sure the Minister of something or other would go along with that, lets hope he sees this.
Cicero (40)
1352674 2013-09-08 11:27:00 Seems they didn't have a great understanding of the English language back in the day .

While I too find it an embarrassing load of dribble, we should remember that it was written in the colonial vernacular of the period, and hence sounds awkward (at best) to our ears . I much prefer it sung in Maori, because the dribble is then incomprehensible, but sounds more melodic to my ears .

It is god-awful though .

BTW Metla, welcome back, you have been sorely missed .

Cheers

Billy 8-{)

It is good for a dog to have a few fleas, it keeps him from worrying about the fact he's a dog . . . . . . . ;)
Billy T (70)
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