English anthem

[Lancs Harp]

I see an MPs have been debating in Parliament on whether England should abandon GSTQ as its national anthem to be played before sporting events and the such like in favour of something more appertaining to England rather than Britain in the same way Scotland and Wales do. To be honest you would think Parliament would have a few more pressing things to be discussing, but there you go.

Suggestions from North of the border are always respected on such matters. Fire away fellas :greengrin

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Jerusalem, quality. Or I'm forever blowing bubbles.

[Rasta_Hibs]

I wonder if they will include lyrics glorifying fighting the Scots or will they have moved on?

[CropleyWasGod]

I wonder if they will include lyrics glorifying fighting the Scots or will they have moved on?

The line about "quelling the rebellious Scots" was only ever a parody; it was never part of the official anthem.

[Geo_1875]

Got to go along with Billy Connolly's suggestion of the Archers theme tune.

Dum di dum di dum .......................

[s.a.m]

Jerusalem, quality.

It is indeed. My choice,though,would be 'Chim Chiminey Chim Chiminey Chim Chim Chiree'. Has to be sung in a fake Cockney accent.

[Rasta_Hibs]

The line about "quelling the rebellious Scots" was only ever a parody; it was never part of the official anthem.

Hehe I did think of that after I hit submit!

[Haymaker]

I always thought the British National Anthem should be "Gold" by Spandau Ballet. Imagine that when at the Olympics.

[CropleyWasGod]

How about the song from Wembley a couple of years ago....

"**** off Scotland, we're all voting Yes."

:greengrin

[Sir David Gray]

One thing which I have noticed from all the English people who have commented on this today is that their reason for saying there should be a proper English national anthem is because "Scotland and Wales have theirs, why not us?"

I would also agree that England should have their own national anthem (I have done for some time now) but my reason for saying this is that they shouldn't have a national anthem which represents the whole of the United Kingdom.

The same goes for Northern Ireland although I accept the political situation there makes this issue a bit more sensitive for them.

[danhibees1875]

I thought God save the queen was the English anthem, and rule Britannia was the British anthem?

[Scouse Hibee]

I like GSTQ and see no reason to change.

[ronaldo7]

I like GSTQ and see no reason to change.

:agree: https://t.co/HKy6kxGYWt

[Danderhall Hibs]

I thought God save the queen was the English anthem, and rule Britannia was the British anthem?

I'm pretty sure that GSTQ is the U.K. Anthem. England and NI both use it - Dcotland and Wales choose not to.

[steakbake]

I see an MPs have been debating in Parliament on whether England should abandon GSTQ as its national anthem to be played before sporting events and the such like in favour of something more appertaining to England rather than Britain in the same way Scotland and Wales do. To be honest you would think Parliament would have a few more pressing things to be discussing, but there you go.

Suggestions from North of the border are always respected on such matters. Fire away fellas :greengrin

Jerusalem would be good.

[jodjam]

The line about "quelling the rebellious Scots" was only ever a parody; it was never part of the official anthem.

I was under the impression it was added in sometime after the last Jacobite rebellion and then removed years later.

[Hibrandenburg]

I'm pretty sure that GSTQ is the U.K. Anthem. England and NI both use it - Dcotland and Wales choose not to.

The Germans used to use it too (the melody). I once read an interesting anecdote that during the 1st world war, British troops in no man's land would whistle the first line of GSTQ and wait for the second line to be whistled back to identify their own troops. Apparently the Germans did the same.

[Just Jimmy]

The Germans used to use it too (the melody). I once read an interesting anecdote that during the 1st world war, British troops in no man's land would whistle the first line of GSTQ and wait for the second line to be whistled back to identify their own troops. Apparently the Germans did the same.

GSTK [emoji6]

[Colr]

I see an MPs have been debating in Parliament on whether England should abandon GSTQ as its national anthem to be played before sporting events and the such like in favour of something more appertaining to England rather than Britain in the same way Scotland and Wales do. To be honest you would think Parliament would have a few more pressing things to be discussing, but there you go.

Suggestions from North of the border are always respected on such matters. Fire away fellas :greengrin

They must have sorted the economy then if they have the time to devote to ephemera like this.

[Colr]

I was under the impression it was added in sometime after the last Jacobite rebellion and then removed years later.

It was but not officially - more a music hall version.

[snooky]

Jerusalem would be good.

... or Maggie's Farm? :wink:

[heretoday]

They must have sorted the economy then if they have the time to devote to ephemera like this.

It pained me to see a Labour MP up on his hind legs speaking about this. When they've sorted out the housing problem, the health service, immigration and unemployment among other things then is the time to worry about trivia.

[marinello59]

I was under the impression it was added in sometime after the last Jacobite rebellion and then removed years later.

Nope.
It was made up by someone and circulated by pamphlet. These days it would appear as a post on an Internet forum or similar. 😃

[NAE NOOKIE]

GSTQ is a daft national anthem anyway ..... an anthem should be about the country, not saving some rich overprivileged bint who lives in a big hoose / hooses at the taxpayers expense.

Yes the English should have their own anthem .... Jerusalem is a cracking wee tune and kicks the ass of Flower of Scotland to be honest. Perhaps the Proclaimers should be asked to knock something up for us, nobody can do sentimental but still sound like they could give you a kicking like they can.

Nothing beats the Italian anthem though ....... its quality :greengrin

[CropleyWasGod]

GSTQ is a daft national anthem anyway ..... an anthem should be about the country, not saving some rich overprivileged bint who lives in a big hoose / hooses at the taxpayers expense.

Yes the English should have their own anthem .... Jerusalem is a cracking wee tune and kicks the ass of Flower of Scotland to be honest. Perhaps the Proclaimers should be asked to knock something up for us, nobody can do sentimental but still sound like they could give you a kicking like they can.

Nothing beats the Italian anthem though ....... its quality :greengrin

It also alienates those who do not believe in the Abrahamic deity. :greengrin

[Scouse Hibee]

GSTQ is a daft national anthem anyway ..... an anthem should be about the country, not saving some rich overprivileged bint who lives in a big hoose / hooses at the taxpayers expense.

Yes the English should have their own anthem .... Jerusalem is a cracking wee tune and kicks the ass of Flower of Scotland to be honest. Perhaps the Proclaimers should be asked to knock something up for us, nobody can do sentimental but still sound like they could give you a kicking like they can.

Nothing beats the Italian anthem though ....... its quality :greengrin

Something about folk that say "the English" instead of England.

[Danderhall Hibs]

How about "Altogether Now" by the Farm?

[blackpoolhibs]

Anything by Russ Abbot would do fine.

[--------]

The line about "quelling the rebellious Scots" was only ever a parody; it was never part of the official anthem.


Not a parody - it was sung during the time of the '45 and ditched by the 1780's as I understand it.

GSTQ isn't really a National Anthem so much as a Royal Anthem, and in the present day there are lots and lots of people who really don't like it, not all of them Scots or even Scottish Nationalists. Anyone who genuinely believes in democracy and the human equality can hardly sing the thing with any sincerity, I would have thought.

Full lyrics - the one that causes the problem is #6.

1. God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us;
God save the Queen!

2. O Lord our God arise,
Scatter her enemies
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!

3. Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign;
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen!

4. Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world over.

5. From every latent foe,
From the assassins blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!

6. Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
And like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush.
God save the Queen!

It might be appropriate to remember that in the context of the '45 and the Jacobites, GSTQ isn't just a royal anthem; it's also an aggressively Protestant one, and that the king it entreats God to save was born in Germany and spent as much time there as he did in England. (He never visited Scotland as far as I'm aware.)

[NAE NOOKIE]

Something about folk that say "the English" instead of England.

The Scots, the Irish, the Welsh, the Germans, the Italians, the Martians ....... If you read it as an insult SH it wasn't meant to be.

[Lancs Harp]

In todays "secular" and multicultural England could you really use Jerusalem, a Christian hymn, as a national anthem?

Its words are pretty nonsensical anyway, even to a christian

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

I just like the tune!

[--------]

In todays "secular" and multicultural England could you really use Jerusalem, a Christian hymn, as a national anthem?

Its words are pretty nonsensical anyway, even to a christian


So nonsensical, in fact, that most Christians I know don't consider the thing a Christian hymn at all.

"England's green, unpleasant land?" Odd way to talk about your country.

[Scouse Hibee]

So nonsensical, in fact, that most Christians I know don't consider the thing a Christian hymn at all.

"England's green, unpleasant land?" Odd way to talk about your country.

Haha very good :-)

[Bristolhibby]

GSTQ is a daft national anthem anyway ..... an anthem should be about the country, not saving some rich overprivileged bint who lives in a big hoose / hooses at the taxpayers expense.

Yes the English should have their own anthem .... Jerusalem is a cracking wee tune and kicks the ass of Flower of Scotland to be honest. Perhaps the Proclaimers should be asked to knock something up for us, nobody can do sentimental but still sound like they could give you a kicking like they can.

Nothing beats the Italian anthem though ....... its quality :greengrin

France's beats the Italians. Hands down the best anthem going.

J

[Keith_M]

I see Jerusalem is a popular choice.

Quite a good song for a National Anthem.

[Caversham Green]

Land of Hope and Glory seems the obvious choice to me.

[Glory Lurker]

National anthems are stupid, really. A country sings a set song, often written decades/centuries ago in a totally different world, and not only is the sentiment often out of date, but the musical styles are much of a muchness and old-fashioned.

I hope England go for something totally different, a "World in Motion"-type shift from the dreary norm.

[Scouse Hibee]

National anthems are stupid, really. A country sings a set song, often written decades/centuries ago in a totally different world, and not only is the sentiment often out of date, but the musical styles are much of a muchness and old-fashioned.

I hope England go for something totally different, a "World in Motion"-type shift from the dreary norm.

Disagree, a traditional national anthem is something to be proud of and serves that very purpose when sung/played at suitable occasions. Changing anthems to keep with the times would defeat the purpose.

[Mixu62]

They could still use GSTQ, just use the Sex Pistols version instead....

[Colr]

In todays "secular" and multicultural England could you really use Jerusalem, a Christian hymn, as a national anthem?

Its words are pretty nonsensical anyway, even to a christian

Don't really go with that. As an atheist, I treat references to God as metaphorical so have no particular issue with their use.

[Colr]

So nonsensical, in fact, that most Christians I know don't consider the thing a Christian hymn at all.

"England's green, unpleasant land?" Odd way to talk about your country.

anyone else remember the Spitting Image version sung by the Thatcher cabinet puppets?

[Colr]

Land of Hope and Glory seems the obvious choice to me.

I think that is a British song rather than an English one.

[Colr]

National anthems are stupid, really. A country sings a set song, often written decades/centuries ago in a totally different world, and not only is the sentiment often out of date, but the musical styles are much of a muchness and old-fashioned.

I hope England go for something totally different, a "World in Motion"-type shift from the dreary norm.

"One-on-one, get round the back"? Bit suspect!!

[Lancs Harp]

Don't really go with that. As an atheist, I treat references to God as metaphorical so have no particular issue with their use.


That's fair enough but thats obviously your own view an not the view of every atheist. I wonder how it would be perceived with people other faiths?

My point being if England is a so called secular country then is such an anthem the right choice?

Interesting in that you're an atheist and would be in favour of something like Jerusalem and Im a church goer and Im not. :wink:

[snooky]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nnnM-__JQ

Altogether now ....

:singing: "Rump pa pum pa pum pa pum, rum pa pum pa pum pum"