Aardvarks on Parade

"Aardvarks on Parade"
	Page one of the sheet music
	Proposed anthem of the Principality of New Eiffel
Lyrics	Isaac "Cadno" Richards (proposed)
Music	Walker Schroeder, 20 May 2020
Preceded by	"Stand Tall, New Eiffel"
Succeeded by	None
Audio sample
	Aardvarks on Parade file; help;

"Aardvarks on Parade" is an instrumental song that was the proposed national anthem of the erstwhile Principality of New Eiffel. It was commissioned by Zabëlle I to the composer Walker Schroeder, Chancellor of the Unitary State of Swivia, on 28 April 2019 as a replacement for "Stand Tall, New Eiffel". The song was still in the planning stage by 27 December, as Schroeder admitted he had unintentionally became preoccupied with other lines of work, before being finished on 20 May 2020. However, due to the crisis in New Eiffel resulting in government shutdown, the anthem was never proposed nor enacted into law. Although the song is fully instrumental, a lyrical version had been written and proposed by New Eiffelic statesmen Isaac "Cadno" Richards.

Etymology

The idea for the anthem to be named "Aardvark" was jocularly proposed to Schroeder by Zabëlle I on 20 May 2020 in order for the song to be listed first in lists of micronational anthems in alphabetic order. His Majesty claimed that aardvark was the "second highest [word] alphabetically" (after a). In response, Schroeder proposed instead designating it "Aardvarks on Parade" to give the proposed anthem a brighter-sounding name. This was much to Zabëlle I's liking, who subsequently chose it as the song's official name. On 30 August, the name was officially translated into seven New Eiffelic languages, though no lyrical verses were translated.

Melody

The song is composed in the key of G major, and follows a simple "A B A" structure in 4/4 time. As described by Schroeder; "B is a bit (perhaps too) whimsical and lighthearted, while A is the triumphant bit [one hears]". The song also includes a light and bouncy saxophone solo using some bent notes in the middle of the song and incorporates triplet syncopation and the use of rising third arpeggios. Schroeder said that he wanted to make it simple, and "focused more on making something which sounded whimsical enough to be deserving of the name Aardvarks on Parade." Depending on the version, the anthem is about fifty seconds in duration, followed by four seconds of silence.

History

Background

On 27 April 2019, Schroeder, then-Chancellor of the Unitary State of Swivia, advertised on MicroWiki's official Discord, MicroWiki@Discord, that he was writing music and offering it to micronations to adopt as national anthems. Schroeder further declared the following day that he only did instrumental and writing lyrics was up to the commissioner, also stating that they would "not be very long but [still] be well thought out music". He also noted that he was preoccupied with his education and thus, would "only compose a few [anthems]". Schroeder cited that his commissions were free; "Honestly I'm just trying to provide a small service to a few micronational leaders, because I recognize the lack of musicality in today’s society". Then-Prince of New Eiffel, Zabëlle I, approached Schroeder via the private messaging feature and requested an anthem, later asking for it to incorporate trumpets.

Work and completion

The song was still in the planning stage by 27 December, as Schroeder admitted he had unintentionally become preoccupied with other lines of work. Apologising for the wait, Schroeder reassured Zabëlle I that it would still be completed. On 20 May 2020, Zabëlle I reconfirmed that he still wanted a triumphant anthem. By then, Schroeder had started charging money for anthems, however, the two eventually agreed that Zabëlle I would pay by offering advertising services for Schroeder's work. Schroeder later submitted a short draft to Zabëlle I, which he was highly fond of. The song was finished that same day. On 21 May, Zabëlle told Schroeder that he was very delighted with the song, and praised Schroeder's work, adding "It was worth the wait." He also stated that he would attempt to propose it as the official national anthem of New Eiffel despite its ongoing crisis.

As a national anthem

Due to the crisis in New Eiffel, which began on 14 December 2019, the document forming the Transitional Government of New Eiffel was signed by His Majesty on 1 May 2020, and parliament became a transitional legislature, bringing a de facto government shutdown. As such, the anthem was never legally proposed nor enacted into law. The song was, nevertheless, quite popular among New Eiffelians, and there had been a growing support for it to become the official national anthem. On 11 August, Zabëlle made an official recommendation to the public to adopt the anthem, which he lined up to coincide with New Eiffel Unity Day. A lyrical version was proposed by New Eiffelic statesmen Isaac "Cadno" Richards on 14 August. Nevertheless, despite these efforts, the crisis eventually led to the dissolution of New Eiffel on 1 November, before the anthem could ever be adopted.

Proposed lyrical version

On 14 August 2020, Richards approached Zabëlle I with a proposed lyrical version he had created. The lyrics metaphorically compare New Eiffel to the mythical Phoenix, a bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again, with the lyrics symbolising New Eiffel's strength during the crisis. The coat of arms is then referenced—"Holding a coat of foxes"—and the prince Janus I is mentioned alongside his subjects, "God Save the King" being stated as well. The eponymous title of the song is also mentioned twice. The lyrics, like the anthem, are in the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.

A Phoenix has risen,
A Phoenix has risen,
New Eiffel has once more risen,
From its former grave.

Holding a coat of foxes,
God Save the King,
Janus and his subjects rise again.

After tyranny and discord,
God Save the King,
New Eiffel rises again.

Forward New Eiffel,
Forward New Eiffel,
Let us see Aardvarks on Parade.

Forward New Eiffel,
Forward New Eiffel,
Once again, Aardvarks on Parade.

Phoenix has risen,
A Phoenix has risen,
New Eiffel has once more risen,
From its former grave.

External links

Full anthem, available as an MP3
Sheet music
"Aardvarks on Parade" is available for free download at the Internet Archive

Aardvarks on Parade

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