French national anthem La Marseillaise, originally written to rouse troops, is called upon again to rally humanity after the tragic Paris attacks that left 127 dead and some 200 injured.
Though aware of what was happening in the city, hundreds of football fans watching the friendly match decided not to be cowed into submission by terrorism and proceeded to sing the anthem as they evacuated from the Stade De France.
Dans un tunnel de sortie du Stade de France, sortie dans le calme…. Et la Marseillaise. #fier
Posted by Karl Olive on Friday, 13 November 2015
An estimated 80,000 fans were in attendance and explosions could be heard during the match. Fans were told to remain in the stadium as exit points were limited.
Over in Italy, the La Marseillaise was played as a show of unity with the people of France during a Serie B (2nd division) match between Livorno and Vicenza on Nov. 14. Both sets of fans also clapped along and applauded at the end.
#LivornoVicenza Al “Picchi” suona La Marsigliese in segno di vicinanza alle vittime di #Parigi #ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/cB8jhuAGil
— Luca Aprea (@Cafeponci) November 14, 2015
It is, however, not entirely surprising that the anthem was used as an anthem of defiance. In the classic movie Casablanca, there was a memorable scene where customers of a bar belted out an impromptu rendition of La Marseillaise to drown out a group of Nazis.
Just read the first verse (and the entire song here) and you will understand why.
Arise children of the fatherland
The day of glory has arrived
Against us tyranny’s
Bloody standard is raised
Listen to the sound in the fields
The howling of these fearsome soldiers
They are coming into our midst
To cut the throats of your sons and consorts
Top photo from here
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