our national anthem

I'm a Jerusalem type me, and nothing wrong with a 2 minute long anthem.

Could could go for the last two verses if you wanted a short version

Like GSTQ, find it very patriotic and moving personally.

Never been a fan of Jerusalem.

Personally i would much prefer Land of Hope and Glory, and very surprised no one else has mentioned this yet.

PL54 said:

People's problem is that the National Anthem is too British - why replace it with another non-English song ?

My problem with it is that it isn't British at all - it celebrates/promotes one individual at the expense of the essence of everything that is British and even Britishness itself. Even worse it invokes god as her protector.

Billy Connolly had it right.......

Altogether now.... ( to the theme of the Archers )

Rum tee tum tee rum tee tum rum tee tum tee tum tumm.....

ozaddick said:

Croydon said:

Some of those proms videos are magical

I've been on You tube looking at the Prom video's. Really heart stirring stuff.

Jesus I'm really home sick now!!

Just console yourself with the fact that the Britain in those videos doesn't really exist (unless we're hosting the Olympics !).

I have to say I think the anthem is absolutely terrible, and it's not even English. I'm from New Zealand originally and "God Save The Queen" was our anthem when I was growing up. Nowadays they've got an equally terrible anthem which is at least specific to New Zealand, and sounds slightly less awful when sung in Maori.

I dread the times in England games when the supporters roll out that awful dirge and I temporarily lose the will to live.

It's probably why I fanatically avoid the pre-game rituals whenever I watch England or New Zealand play any sport. I don't mind missing the first couple of minutes, just to be on the safe side...

Henry Irving said:

ozaddick said:

BlackForestReds said:

PL54 said:

People's problem is that the National Anthem is too British - why replace it with another non-English song ?

My problem with it is that it isn't British at all - it celebrates/promotes one individual at the expense of the essence of everything that is British and even Britishness itself. Even worse it invokes god as her protector.

It was British. Back in the days "for King and country". That's not the case anymore.

My History isn't the greatest but that all changed with Immigration post WW2. The first major Influx of Immigration was from Poland after the war, in 1948 over 150,000 were allowed to settle in the UK. The government then offered the West Indians to settle on mass, with promises of employment.

Patriotism is a completely different concept nowadays.

Your history isn't great I agree : - )

Waves and waves and waves of immigration before WWII, WWI, the Boer War, the Crimean War..........the Battle of Agincourt, the battle of Hastings, the Roman invasion.

Thanks.

Henry Irving said:

ozaddick said:

BlackForestReds said:

PL54 said:

People's problem is that the National Anthem is too British - why replace it with another non-English song ?

My problem with it is that it isn't British at all - it celebrates/promotes one individual at the expense of the essence of everything that is British and even Britishness itself. Even worse it invokes god as her protector.

It was British. Back in the days "for King and country". That's not the case anymore.

My History isn't the greatest but that all changed with Immigration post WW2. The first major Influx of Immigration was from Poland after the war, in 1948 over 150,000 were allowed to settle in the UK. The government then offered the West Indians to settle on mass, with promises of employment.

Patriotism is a completely different concept nowadays.

Your history isn't great I agree : - )

Waves and waves and waves of immigration before WWII, WWI, the Boer War, the Crimean War..........the Battle of Agincourt, the battle of Hastings, the Roman invasion.

Told you Henry!

MuttleyCAFC said:

Our national anthem is rubbish, but is a good match for the team!

At least you are consistent you said exactly the same just over a year ago on this thread!

Thats why we played so rubbish!, we want to make sure its only forced upon everyone in Brazil just one more time.

Maybe it just needs some backing dancers in using moves which involve flash dance mixed with some MC Hammer shit, ala David Brent.

Dirge.

I don't mind GSTQ at all but I wish we'd do all five verses at sporting events - if only to see Rooney struggling to remember the words and to wind up some of the other nations that have over-long anthems.
I like it that as a country we are so self-assured that we don't have an official national anthem nor bother to put the name of our country on our postage stamps.
It, too, amuses me that the Yanks just borrowed the tune and added their own lyrics for their national anthem My Country, 'Tis Of Thee which was only replaced by The Star-Spangled Banner in 1931. It probably goes without saying that that tune, too, was borrowed from elsewhere and was written by a Brit.