French Singer Modifies National Anthem to Promote Immigration Unity
French-Canadian singer Nina Tonji alters ‘La Marseillaise’ lyrics at NFL game, sparking backlash over pro-immigrant message.
2 min read
French-Canadian singer Nina Tonji has sparked controversy by altering the lyrics of France’s national anthem, ‘La Marseillaise,’ before performing at an NFL game in Paris. The change, which replaced ‘Qu’un sang impur abreuve nos sillons!’ with ‘Qu’un sang uni abreuve nos sillons!’, was intended to promote national unity and include immigrants, according to Fox News. The original line, meaning ‘May impure blood water our furrows/fields,’ referred to enemies and traitors, particularly French immigrants fighting alongside foreign armies during the French Revolution.
Tonji’s modified version, described as a ‘political’ move, shifts the anthem’s message from exclusion to solidarity. The alteration has drawn significant backlash, with prominent figures in France criticizing her for disrespecting the anthem’s traditional meaning and spirit. Social media has amplified the controversy, with many expressing outrage over the change.
Nina Tonji performs the national anthem of France live from @StadeFrance 🇫🇷 @NFLFrance
Yves Bourdillon, a journalist for Les Echos, questioned how Tonji would react if the Canadian anthem were similarly altered. His post on X, translated, highlighted the hypocrisy of such a move. Meanwhile, Mathieu Bock-Côté, a well-known intellectual and media personality, accused Tonji of not knowing how to sing and not respecting the anthem’s traditional interpretation.
La chanteuse canadienne Nina Tonji s’est cru autorisée à changer les paroles de la Marseillaise en la chantant hier lors du premier match de NFL en France, car elle n’aime pas le mot “impur” (qui à l’époque n’avait aucune signification raciale, il désignait les ennemis, traitres, aristos, etc). Elle l’a remplacé par le mot “uni”, qui n’a aucun sens, puisque censé être positif (nous sommes tous unis, tout) alors qu’il s’agit quand même du sang d’ennemi. Bref, il serait intéressant de voir la tête qu’elle ferait si on réécrivait l’hymne canadien, dont voici la version suggérée par Canard Hirsute, vu que les références à la religion et aux ancêtres sont déplaisantes (je joins aussi le texte authentique);
Some have called for stricter regulations to prevent such alterations, with Fox News suggesting that the NFL could require artists to sign binding contracts ensuring they perform songs as written. This incident comes amid ongoing debates about national identity and immigration, with similar controversies emerging in the U.S. involving figures like LeBron James.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
