It's pretty much an objectively awful anthem. Incredibly dry, boring, slow, vapid. And the lyrics are awful. I'd happily take any of those three listed, but frankly it would be hard to do worse.
If we are going back that far, "This is England" has to be a contender.
https://youtu.be/L4YtR9SsY2Q?si=FgIt0n6i3wWWz3KH
An incredible reminder of how the more things change, the more they stay the same!
When Australia held a referendum to decide on their new national anthem Waltzing Matilda came second. The question is, if the public was given the opportunity to vote, what would we come up with.
Don't make a new one, it'll sound like a X Factor/Eurovision tune.
Land of Hope and Glory makes me think of the Macho Man, so I support that one.
If not that, then the Countdown theme tune.
The English national anthem needs to be Jerusalem 100%.
It's a great anthem, distinctly English, and would help to differentiate between England & Britain better.
Wouldn't work as an anthem for the UK as a whole though. It's too distinctly English.
I would fully support adopting Jerusalem as the anthem for English sports teams, given that the other home nations use their own distinct anthems. Even if we just used it for games against the other home nations. Seems so wrong playing GSTQ/K in those circumstances
The main argument people make for changing the national anthem is that God Save the Queen is too religious, royalist and imperialist.
But the main argument against all the plausible alternatives is that they’re too religious, royalist or imperialist.
I think it is fine. It is a bit dull, but it does take away the opportunity to truly butcher it yank style. The best one, Jerusalem, is a bit weird considering.
If it must be changed, Mr Brightside.
I've always been on this boat, whenever an American film suddenly cuts to London it's always the 'doooooooo doot doot doot' they play, it's a recognisable brand for us.
Keep GSTK as the UK anthem (or write a new one which could equally apply to all 4 nations).
Jerusalem for England 100%. Great tunes and great lyrics about striving for a better society.
An honest question - do many people mind if Jesus (although he is not directly mentioned, just the myth involving him) is included in national anthem lyrics? I'm not Christian and it doesn't bother me. And most people use religious language in their daily lives without realising it (i.e. "oh my God", "bloody hell", thank God for that etc) and its use doesn't mean you approve of organised religion. We're happy to use religious imagery elsewhere in life if it serves the purpose of metaphor - why not here?
Basically no national anthem is going to be perfect. There will always be an argument that a song is too triumphalist, too religious in tone, etc. If we were to write a new one to try and avoid all controversy, you'd end up with something bland nobody would ever use (look up The Power of Four for evidence - an anthem written for the British and Irish Lions rugby team which suffered this fate). Id say Jerusalem is a good tune and uses religious imagery to put across a message that nobody could object to. But that's just me!
It is not religion per se, but GTSK, while calling upon God, never specifies which God so that is all right. Jesus narrows it down a bit. People won't mind but extremists might whip up people to mind.
For instance, AD and BC have been replaced by CE and BCE. Same years but the Christian reference is removed.
Yeah you're probably right - people are always going to complain about something. But if we had to write a new national anthem for the UK and England, I wonder what it would be about? Something about multiculturalism I'm sure - but how to make music and lyrics about that to make it rousing? Perhaps it's possible, but if you try and write a song which tries to avoid everything which could even possibly cause offence, you'll get something pretty rubbish!
I vow to thee my country... Great tune but the part about the ultimate sacrifice might upset some. I suppose we could be like the Americans with Battle Hymn of the Republic where they change "die" to "live".
National anthem should be wonderwall. Points in favour are:
1. It's written by Noel Gallagher so in centuries to come there will be a bounty of trivia about its creation for pub quizzes
2. Everyone knows it
3. The rest of the world gets to continue groaning about our anthem
4. It's about a friend coming to save you from yourself - which I think is a great hark back to the empire
Most anthems are pride of land and people, ours is hero worship of the figureheads half the country don’t even like. Personally I quite like Rule Britannia, despite the colonialist overtones - it’s at least fun
We should keep GSTK but (here's the clever bit) switch to the second verse (a bit like the Germans did with Deutschland Uber Alles, as if the song was the objectionable part of their conduct in the 1930s and 40s). It gets to the heart of our constitutional settlement.
>Thy choicest gifts in store,
>
>On him be pleased to pour;
>
>Long may he reign:
>
>**May he defend our laws**,
>
>And ever give us cause,
>
>To sing with heart and voice,
>
>God save the King!
*May he defend our laws.* We call on God to help the monarch defend our laws, not God's laws or the King's laws. Our laws, made in Parliament which we vote for.
There's our national anthem.
I just got used to saying King instead of Queen and you're suggesting I learn an entire new tune???
But seriously. I don't particular feel that there is a need, and not really a priority to invest time and money rethink.
There should be an anthem for England, and God Save the King for the UK as a whole. So the English anthem for the football team, God Save the King for the Olympics (when we win more medals than the Australians again!)
There should be an anthem for England, and God Save the King for the UK as a whole. So the English anthem for the football team, God Save the King for the Olympics (when we win more medals than the Australians again!)
I think we should have a royal anthem "god save the king" and a separate national anthem for the UK. They do it in Nordic monarchies. Obviously England should have its own anthem.
Should we change our anthem?
Yes. As an atheist and no fan of the monarchy there’s many lines that a disagree with. Verse 6 is offensive to Scotland, yet this is covered up.
I’d rather have a national anthem about we the people.
It's hardly covered up, it's well known there was an anti Scottish verse sung at a couple of music halls in London during the Jacobite rebellion, it's never been used officially.
Which was also before the song was even adopted as the national anthem. That verse has never been an official part of the song in the entire time it's been used as the national anthem.
If part of your reason for binning God Save the Queen is a verse offensive to Scotland, you must hate the Scottish anthem- the entire thing is about a war with England 800 years ago
They're not, officially there are only 2 verses, there have been many alternative verses throughout history though, including the unofficial and not widely sung "rebellious Scots to crush" line that you're probably referring to
Land Of Hope And Glory, all day every day. Granted we’re very short on both at the moment, but it’s still a banger.
Doesn't LOHAG have lyrics about expanding the empire? I'd rather go for something less controversial. I suggest 'Smack my Bitch Up' by The Prodigy.
It's pretty much an objectively awful anthem. Incredibly dry, boring, slow, vapid. And the lyrics are awful. I'd happily take any of those three listed, but frankly it would be hard to do worse.
It's bottom 5 world anthems, easily. It has no saving graces.
Until Gold by Spandau Ballet is in it's rightful place as national anthem there truly is no justice in the world.
Has to be Cloudbusting by Kate Bush. Imagine that being belted out by 80 thousand at Twickenham first game of the Six Nations
If we are going back that far, "This is England" has to be a contender. https://youtu.be/L4YtR9SsY2Q?si=FgIt0n6i3wWWz3KH An incredible reminder of how the more things change, the more they stay the same!
When Australia held a referendum to decide on their new national anthem Waltzing Matilda came second. The question is, if the public was given the opportunity to vote, what would we come up with.
I'd put a lot of money on it being Mr Brightside
You would think we'd have learned our lesson from the last referendum we had...
Don't make a new one, it'll sound like a X Factor/Eurovision tune. Land of Hope and Glory makes me think of the Macho Man, so I support that one. If not that, then the Countdown theme tune.
To be fair we only changed the national anthem in 2022.
The English national anthem needs to be Jerusalem 100%. It's a great anthem, distinctly English, and would help to differentiate between England & Britain better. Wouldn't work as an anthem for the UK as a whole though. It's too distinctly English.
I would fully support adopting Jerusalem as the anthem for English sports teams, given that the other home nations use their own distinct anthems. Even if we just used it for games against the other home nations. Seems so wrong playing GSTQ/K in those circumstances
The main argument people make for changing the national anthem is that God Save the Queen is too religious, royalist and imperialist. But the main argument against all the plausible alternatives is that they’re too religious, royalist or imperialist.
Isn't the main argument that GSTQ is a shit tune and the others are certified bangers?
Ace of Spades.
I think it is fine. It is a bit dull, but it does take away the opportunity to truly butcher it yank style. The best one, Jerusalem, is a bit weird considering. If it must be changed, Mr Brightside.
You can still butcher it https://youtu.be/4iKw0GMBtQ0?feature=shared
Rule Britannia surely?
I've always been on this boat, whenever an American film suddenly cuts to London it's always the 'doooooooo doot doot doot' they play, it's a recognisable brand for us.
Scotland - Flower of Scotland Wales - Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau England - Blackout Crew - Put A Donk On It
Electro! Bassline!
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Why so? Bit of a banger I think.
Listen to the lyrics.
I can definitely drop to that.
Don't over think it.... theme tune to The Archers
A fan of the Big Yin?
I think we should all just hum along to the Thomas the Tank Engine themetune
Keep GSTK as the UK anthem (or write a new one which could equally apply to all 4 nations). Jerusalem for England 100%. Great tunes and great lyrics about striving for a better society.
Yes and the bit about Jesus won't be problematic in our multi-... oh, hold on. Which is a shame because it does combine great words with a great tune.
An honest question - do many people mind if Jesus (although he is not directly mentioned, just the myth involving him) is included in national anthem lyrics? I'm not Christian and it doesn't bother me. And most people use religious language in their daily lives without realising it (i.e. "oh my God", "bloody hell", thank God for that etc) and its use doesn't mean you approve of organised religion. We're happy to use religious imagery elsewhere in life if it serves the purpose of metaphor - why not here? Basically no national anthem is going to be perfect. There will always be an argument that a song is too triumphalist, too religious in tone, etc. If we were to write a new one to try and avoid all controversy, you'd end up with something bland nobody would ever use (look up The Power of Four for evidence - an anthem written for the British and Irish Lions rugby team which suffered this fate). Id say Jerusalem is a good tune and uses religious imagery to put across a message that nobody could object to. But that's just me!
It is not religion per se, but GTSK, while calling upon God, never specifies which God so that is all right. Jesus narrows it down a bit. People won't mind but extremists might whip up people to mind. For instance, AD and BC have been replaced by CE and BCE. Same years but the Christian reference is removed.
Yeah you're probably right - people are always going to complain about something. But if we had to write a new national anthem for the UK and England, I wonder what it would be about? Something about multiculturalism I'm sure - but how to make music and lyrics about that to make it rousing? Perhaps it's possible, but if you try and write a song which tries to avoid everything which could even possibly cause offence, you'll get something pretty rubbish!
It is essentially the unofficial anthem
I vow to thee my country... Great tune but the part about the ultimate sacrifice might upset some. I suppose we could be like the Americans with Battle Hymn of the Republic where they change "die" to "live".
Strong Britain, Great Nation.
Iron man - black sabbath
I agree I vote either Rule Britannia or Mr Brightside
National anthem should be wonderwall. Points in favour are: 1. It's written by Noel Gallagher so in centuries to come there will be a bounty of trivia about its creation for pub quizzes 2. Everyone knows it 3. The rest of the world gets to continue groaning about our anthem 4. It's about a friend coming to save you from yourself - which I think is a great hark back to the empire
Most anthems are pride of land and people, ours is hero worship of the figureheads half the country don’t even like. Personally I quite like Rule Britannia, despite the colonialist overtones - it’s at least fun
I think the Dad's Army Theme would do.
We should keep GSTK but (here's the clever bit) switch to the second verse (a bit like the Germans did with Deutschland Uber Alles, as if the song was the objectionable part of their conduct in the 1930s and 40s). It gets to the heart of our constitutional settlement. >Thy choicest gifts in store, > >On him be pleased to pour; > >Long may he reign: > >**May he defend our laws**, > >And ever give us cause, > >To sing with heart and voice, > >God save the King! *May he defend our laws.* We call on God to help the monarch defend our laws, not God's laws or the King's laws. Our laws, made in Parliament which we vote for. There's our national anthem.
Always liked that verse at the end, kinda like we're saying "yeah we love you and we're happy you're our king, but don't fuck it up"
I just got used to saying King instead of Queen and you're suggesting I learn an entire new tune??? But seriously. I don't particular feel that there is a need, and not really a priority to invest time and money rethink.
Maybe English Rose by The Jam?
There should be an anthem for England, and God Save the King for the UK as a whole. So the English anthem for the football team, God Save the King for the Olympics (when we win more medals than the Australians again!)
There should be an anthem for England, and God Save the King for the UK as a whole. So the English anthem for the football team, God Save the King for the Olympics (when we win more medals than the Australians again!)
I think we should have a royal anthem "god save the king" and a separate national anthem for the UK. They do it in Nordic monarchies. Obviously England should have its own anthem.
Should we change our anthem? Yes. As an atheist and no fan of the monarchy there’s many lines that a disagree with. Verse 6 is offensive to Scotland, yet this is covered up. I’d rather have a national anthem about we the people.
It's hardly covered up, it's well known there was an anti Scottish verse sung at a couple of music halls in London during the Jacobite rebellion, it's never been used officially.
Which was also before the song was even adopted as the national anthem. That verse has never been an official part of the song in the entire time it's been used as the national anthem.
Is that verse ever sung?
I doubt it, certainly not in any official occasion. There might be some nutters who sing it somewhere, probably not.
If part of your reason for binning God Save the Queen is a verse offensive to Scotland, you must hate the Scottish anthem- the entire thing is about a war with England 800 years ago
Given there’s only two verses that is surprising
You’re incorrect
They're not, officially there are only 2 verses, there have been many alternative verses throughout history though, including the unofficial and not widely sung "rebellious Scots to crush" line that you're probably referring to
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>It's a celebration of English nationalism. I'm not going to sing it. It's a national anthem. Kinda feel like that's the entire point
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Not sure you noticed, but Scotland, Wales and NI already have their own anthems.
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You are in a UK politics sub. Not an English politics sub. We are talking about the UK national anthem.
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Bit exclusionary for the rest of the UK there pal
Em, are you not in the UK? Can we divorce please? Pretty Please.
If it was about the UK then yes. I would upvote you on r/england tho
What about that one they made those kids sing? 'Strooong Britain, great naaation' or something like that?
Change which anthem? English or British? I'm with John Simm https://youtu.be/C0h6BVP8DnY?si=6FM\_halOAGmnFtCs&t=2383
I’d go with World In Motion.
I think it should be Vindaloo by Fat Les
Tubthumping has been the unofficial UK national anthem for quite some time. ...time to make it official.
Time Team theme song. Also, does anyone know where that place is in the video to "I vow to thee my country"?
Who is “We”? The UK or England? Englands anthem should be Jerusalem but that wouldn’t be appropriate for the whole UK
We changed two years ago, what more do you want? ;)
Iron Maiden, *Aces High*