If by "more lyrics" you mean "longer", then Greece's national anthem, with 150 verses, has it beaten easily. I think the Internationale (6 verses of 8 lines each, plus a 4-line chorus) is also longer, as are many others- for instance, the Marseillaise, with its 8-plus-6 lines per verse, and 6 verses plus the rather unsettling "childrens' verse".-Its the only patriotic song AFAIK that has more lyrics than the star spangled banner.
Hence why I'd rather have The Maple Leaf Forever as the national anthem.
Think about this:
-It was created in 1867, when Canada was created. O Canada, OTOH, does not have that link to Canada's beginnings.
-It was our unofficial anthem before O Canada was designated by parliament.
-Its the only patriotic song AFAIK that has more lyrics than he star spangled banner.
-As well, if you actually read the song, it has relatively few reference to beating the French (ie, General Wolfe).
Overall, it was an awesome anthem.
I'd love to see "Condor Pasa" as the Peruvian anthem.
Here it is in Andean instruments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtUZzCe6-bk&feature=related
Here's a more "formal" version in European classical tradition by Placido Domingo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qmOKsDb3AY&feature=related
Honestly, most Latin American countries have mind-numbingly boring Italian-style operatic anthems that don't at all reflect the folk cultures.
I think they were singing "The Eyes of Texas (are upon you)"...
Dumb question: Why is "Waltzing Matilda" considered a good candidate for a national anthem? It's about a hobo who steals a sheep and drowns himself when the cops show up.
I thought that "Australians are descended from criminals" thing was just a stereotype?