Author Topic: New English National Anthem (Read 7152 times)

Thephoenix · « **on:** April 03, 2020, 10:04:53 pm »

I know.... Maybe it's naive and wishful thinking to expect a serious response to this.
I'm not anti royal.... Just fed up and frustrated that for sporting events (remember them) or state occasions,
the Ol 'God Save The Queen' just doesn't do it for me, especially compared to the rousing anthems of Wales and Scotland.
Australia managed to get their own. Why not England
Maybe if Andrew's on this forum, he might have a suggestion😁

Answers on a postage stamp............ And yes I'm hoping for some serious answers, but naturally fully expecting some irreverent , sarcastic and humorous suggestions.

David1970 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:08:12 pm »

Totally agree, England need its own National Anthem.

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:08:25 pm »

Surely if England is to have it's own national anthem it has to be Jerusalem. Written by William Blake 1804

winkywanky · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:13:58 pm »

I second that. I think it's been mooted before? But yes, gets my vote.

But it should be the Emerson, Lake & Palmer version

.

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:15:45 pm »

Quote from: winkywanky on April 03, 2020, 10:13:58 pm

I second that. I think it's been mooted before? But yes, gets my vote.

But it should be the Emerson, Lake & Palmer version .

:thumbsup:totally agree to the E.L.P version

David1970 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:16:55 pm »

Quote from: mr.bluesky on April 03, 2020, 10:08:25 pm

Surely if England is to have it's own national anthem it has to be Jerusalem.

We would be the only country with a National Anthem named after a city claimed by 2 other other countries, are you being serious.

Jonestown · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:17:53 pm »

Got to be Billy Bragg's grand old A New England.

David1970 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:20:33 pm »

We would be the only country with a National Anthem named after a city claimed by 2 other other countries, are you being serious.
Why not New York, New York by Frank Sinatra, at least York is in England if you are going to have foreign cites in the title.

Kool Keef · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:22:14 pm »

Whatever it is the National Anthem should be about the country & it's people, not some nonsense about protecting one particular family.
It should be above & greater than that imo.

winkywanky · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:22:37 pm »

Quote from: David1970 on April 03, 2020, 10:16:55 pm

We would be the only country with a National Anthem named after a city claimed by 2 other other countries, are you being serious.

It's purely a Biblical reference, as you probably realise. The words are 100% about England.

As for the melody, I would argue there's few other national anthems that are even half as rousing and passionate.

My absolute fave is Russia's, it brings a tear to my eye. But then again, so does Putin

.

Beamer · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:30:59 pm »

I Vow to thee my Country ..... must be in with a shout, especially if it can be sung a bit more lively. Like La Marseillaise.

David1970 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:33:43 pm »

Quote from: winkywanky on April 03, 2020, 10:22:37 pm

It's purely a Biblical reference, as you probably realise. The words are 100% about England.

As for the melody, I would argue there's few other national anthems that are even half as rousing and passionate.

My absolute fave is Russia's, it brings a tear to my eye. But then again, so does Putin .

I ain’t standing to attention to a tune about a city in the Middle East, the Jews and Muslims can keep it.

Got to agree about Russia, very stirring

Why do we need old Victorian tunes. Should get the guy who wrote the Irish rugby anthem Shoulder to Shoulder to write a new one, it’s a great anthem.

winkywanky · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2020, 10:35:00 pm »

Quote from: David1970 on April 03, 2020, 10:33:43 pm

I ain’t standing to attention to a tune about a city in the Middle East

Duh, it's not about the Middle East

. Never mind.

sadolddeejay · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2020, 11:03:44 pm »

"a 2006 survey conducted by the BBC suggested that 55% of the English public would rather have "Land of Hope and Glory" than "God Save the Queen" as their national anthem."

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Thephoenix · « **Reply #14 on:** April 03, 2020, 11:05:01 pm »

Jerusalem, Vow to thee my country, Land of hope and glory...... They all have that stirring quality.

But why not have a competition.... Didn't The Aussies do that?

The current anthem just doesn't inspire..... Often the sporting participants just seem like going through the motions or miming, and it's so outdated now.

Thought maybe Charles might agree to a change, but he's been waiting so long for God Save The King, I doubt it

Thephoenix · « **Reply #15 on:** April 03, 2020, 11:21:28 pm »

Wow...... Pleasantly surprised with the response.
Can't help wondering how long it'll be before some of the more derogatory suggestions surface.
Or have I misjudged the members?

With some of literary talent I regularly see displayed on this forum, I wouldn't be surprised to even see some suggested lyrics.
We could then forward the best one to Camilla our future Queen.

crfc · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2020, 12:00:48 am »

Can't you Saes just use the theme from the Archers with the GSTQ lyrics...
(as per Billy Connolly

)

WARSZAWA16 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2020, 12:47:42 am »

Quote from: crfc on April 04, 2020, 12:00:48 am

Can't you Saes just use the theme from the Archers with the GSTQ lyrics...
(as per Billy Connolly )

Thanks for reminding me. I just found and watched it:

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daviemac · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2020, 12:56:15 am »

Slightly off topic but I remember someone on a football thread, not sure if it was here or 'over the road', slagging off the Spanish team for not singing along with their national anthem.

Home Alone · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2020, 02:24:55 am »

Quote from: Beamer on April 03, 2020, 10:30:59 pm

I Vow to thee my Country ..... must be in with a shout, especially if it can be sung a bit more lively. Like La Marseillaise.

Possibly. Certainly not the National Dirge, as I always think of the current English National Anthem. Mind you, I'm not a royalist.

Of the anthems I've heard and - more or less - understood, La Marseillaise is the best anthem in the world by a mile. There's so much pride in it.

For me, Deutschland uber Alles and Amhran na Fian - the Irish Republic's anthem would come second and third. The Scots seem to sing Flower of Scotland with much more fervour these days. 15, 20 years ago, it sounded to me almost as an apology for an anthem. Now, certainly at Six Nations rugby internationals, it seems to be sung with the fervour a National Anthem should inspire.

Home Alone · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2020, 02:26:57 am »

Quote from: daviemac on April 04, 2020, 12:56:15 am

Slightly off topic but I remember someone on a football thread, not sure if it was here or 'over the road', slagging off the Spanish team for not singing along with their national anthem.

Ah, bless!!

Home Alone · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2020, 02:36:31 am »

Quote from: Thephoenix on April 03, 2020, 11:05:01 pm

Jerusalem, Vow to thee my country, Land of hope and glory...... They all have that stirring quality.

But why not have a competition.... Didn't The Aussies do that?

The current anthem just doesn't inspire..... Often the sporting participants just seem like going through the motions or miming, and it's so outdated now.

Thought maybe Charles might agree to a change, but he's been waiting so long for God Save The King, I doubt it

Yes, if I remember alright, Advance, Australia Fair won a competition when they decided to drop God save the Queen. Mind you, if you listen to some of the lyrics, they betray its origin as a somewhat maudlin Victorian poem.

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2020, 05:59:16 am »

Quote from: David1970 on April 03, 2020, 10:16:55 pm

We would be the only country with a National Anthem named after a city claimed by 2 other other countries, are you being serious.

Have you ever seen the Lyrics to Jerusalem. "Until we have built Jerusalem in Englands green and pleasant land"

sadolddeejay · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2020, 06:12:26 am »

I suggest the theme from Only Fools and Horses, as it increases the chances of people knowing the words.

Beamer · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2020, 08:39:26 am »

Quote from: sadolddeejay on April 04, 2020, 06:12:26 am

I suggest the theme from Only Fools and Horses, as it increases the chances of people knowing the words.

Great but too much mention of Shepherds Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush

Teessider · « **Reply #25 on:** April 04, 2020, 09:10:44 am »

This would be a good anthem for current times:

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David1970 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 04, 2020, 09:40:32 am »

Why not get Simon Cowell to organise one of his shit shows to pick a new anthem or have a Eurovision type show to pick it. Its the only way you will get the pubic interested.
But on second thought you might get a Boaty McBoatface or Wembley Way situation.

Blackpool Rock · « **Reply #27 on:** April 04, 2020, 10:00:43 am »

Yeah about time England had it's own anthem to be played at events such as Rugby and Football internationals, the Scots and Welsh don't play god save the queen.
Jerusalem has always been a popular shout and would get my vote though looking at the words it's about religion so perhaps not particularly relevant to the modern world we live in.
Then you have to consider all the opposition as no doubt some groups would choose to be offended and say it wasn't "inclusive"

So the question is really in 2 parts, should England have it's own national anthem rather than a new one and secondly should there be a new national anthem

Personally I think we should stick with God Save the Queen as the overall national anthem but just an updated version like this

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David1970 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 04, 2020, 10:07:34 am »

Quote from: Blackpool Rock on April 04, 2020, 10:00:43 am

Yeah about time England had it's own anthem to be played at events such as Rugby and Football internationals, the Scots and Welsh don't play god save the queen.
Jerusalem has always been a popular shout and would get my vote though looking at the words it's about religion so perhaps not particularly relevant to the modern world we live in.
Then you have to consider all the opposition as no doubt some groups would choose to be offended and say it wasn't "inclusive"

So the question is really in 2 parts, should England have it's own national anthem rather than a new one and secondly should there be a new national anthem

Personally I think we should stick with God Save the Queen as the overall national anthem but just an updated version like this

External Link/Members Only

Problem with God Save The Queen is it’s the British not the English national anthem, England need it own one.

Blackpool Rock · « **Reply #29 on:** April 04, 2020, 10:10:56 am »

Quote from: David1970 on April 04, 2020, 10:07:34 am

Problem with God Save The Queen is it’s the British not the English national anthem, England need it own one.

Did you read my post

David1970 · « **Reply #30 on:** April 04, 2020, 10:18:15 am »

Quote from: Blackpool Rock on April 04, 2020, 10:00:43 am

Then you have to consider all the opposition as no doubt some groups would choose to be offended and say it wasn't "inclusive"

The new anthem could have 4 verses all the same words.
Verse 1 in English, 2 in Arabic, 3 in Urdu and 4 in Pashtun.
With a positive section on the Prophet Muhammad of course.

Happylad · « **Reply #31 on:** April 04, 2020, 11:03:02 am »

Land Of Hope And Glory has one of the best possible tunes for bellowing out at football/rugby/sports matches, military shows, and all other occasions when the average englishman feels the need to sing (without having first been primed with ale), the choristers can let rip in their several parts, and the words are suitably nationalistic and inspiring. While it is strictly part of the Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1, it can, and does, stand entirely on its own, and, of course, the tune was composed by England`s greatest composer

One only has to hear it sung at the Proms to realise - THERE IS NO OTHER VALID CHOICE.

winkywanky · « **Reply #32 on:** April 04, 2020, 11:06:48 am »

Quote from: Blackpool Rock on April 04, 2020, 10:00:43 am

Yeah about time England had it's own anthem to be played at events such as Rugby and Football internationals, the Scots and Welsh don't play god save the queen.
Jerusalem has always been a popular shout and would get my vote though looking at the words it's about religion so perhaps not particularly relevant to the modern world we live in.
Then you have to consider all the opposition as no doubt some groups would choose to be offended and say it wasn't "inclusive"

So the question is really in 2 parts, should England have it's own national anthem rather than a new one and secondly should there be a new national anthem

Personally I think we should stick with God Save the Queen as the overall national anthem but just an updated version like this

External Link/Members Only

Good point.

I think the melody is so good and so well known, and the general feel of the lyric so appealing and rousing, perhaps there could be a respectful tweak to the words to remove or lessen the religious element?

The German national anthem is like this I believe, was it not a very old hymn?

David1970 · « **Reply #33 on:** April 04, 2020, 11:27:25 am »

Quote from: winkywanky on April 04, 2020, 11:06:48 am

Good point.

I think the melody is so good and so well known, and the general feel of the lyric so appealing and rousing, perhaps there could be a respectful tweak to the words to remove or lessen the religious element?

The German national anthem is like this I believe, was it not a very old hymn?

Did they not remove the words “Germany, Germany above all" from the original version?

Blackpool Rock · « **Reply #34 on:** April 04, 2020, 11:37:44 am »

Quote from: David1970 on April 04, 2020, 11:27:25 am

Did they not remove the words “Germany, Germany above all" from the original version?

Yeah think it was the 1st verse and made illegal to sing after WW2

winkywanky · « **Reply #35 on:** April 04, 2020, 11:38:49 am »

Quote from: David1970 on April 04, 2020, 11:27:25 am

Did they not remove the words “Germany, Germany above all" from the original version?

Deutschland, Deutschland uber alles was NOT in the original hymn

.

Those lyrics became part of the first version of the German national anthem, and then after WW2 they were removed for obvious reasons.

winkywanky · « **Reply #36 on:** April 04, 2020, 11:39:33 am »

Quote from: Blackpool Rock on April 04, 2020, 11:37:44 am

Yeah think it was the 1st verse and made illegal to sing after WW2

You beat me to it

freeze44 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 04, 2020, 11:40:14 am »

Combine Harvester by the The Wurzels? Sure we can all get behind that!

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Happylad · « **Reply #38 on:** April 04, 2020, 11:45:49 am »

The tune from the German National Anthem is actually part of Haydyn`s `Kaiser Quartet`. However, as with so many other good tunes, it was simply appropriated as a suitable tune for an english hymn as well, and appears in The English Hymnal and several other collections. It was, however, generally avoided during WWII for obvious reasons.

Of course, the Germans had a good selection of home grown music to choose their hymn tunes from, whilst english composers` music was not only less prolific, but also tended generally to be a bit less adaptable, with, of course, a few notable exceptions.

David1970 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 04, 2020, 11:46:45 am »

Quote from: freeze44 on April 04, 2020, 11:40:14 am

Combine Harvester by the The Wurzels? Sure we can all get behind that!

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Inspired idea, gets my vote

sadolddeejay · « **Reply #40 on:** April 04, 2020, 01:01:46 pm »

Quote from: Beamer on April 04, 2020, 08:39:26 am

Great but too much mention of Shepherds Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush

Well, I'm old school. I still love a bush.

Malvolio · « **Reply #41 on:** April 04, 2020, 07:36:46 pm »

It surely has to be A Song of Patriotic Prejudice:

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ulstersubbie · « **Reply #42 on:** April 04, 2020, 08:01:01 pm »

The English should have their own anthem, I say this as a proud Scot. God Save The Queen should be consigned to the historical dustbin. What makes me really laugh is that very few people these days believe in a "GOD", and why would you want to save the Queen, she couldn't give a f**k about the rest of us.

Kyuss · « **Reply #43 on:** April 04, 2020, 08:16:07 pm »

Would have to tweek the lyrics, but always thought Hero's by David Bowie would make a good national anthem.

timsussex · « **Reply #44 on:** April 04, 2020, 08:55:49 pm »

either Jerusalem or Land of hope and Glory for me

trivia corner
Blakes Poem Jerusalem only existed in 50 copies of a privately printed book for nearly 100 years then the King asked Robert Bridges the poet Laureate to put together some inspiring poetry in 1916. Fortunately Bridges owned one of the copies
We will skim over how high an anthology of poetry was on the needs of the plebs dying in the trenches especially when Bridges asked his friend from Eton (Parry) to put a tune to the words to form a hymn

oh and reputedly Elgar hated the words that Benson put to his pomp and circumstance march no 1

Thephoenix · « **Reply #45 on:** April 04, 2020, 10:26:44 pm »

Thanks for your responses.

I've carefully considered all your suggestions, and so I will be starting an online petition to change the English national anthem to 'Combine Harvester sung to the tune of Jerusalem, with harmonies in Arabic, Urdo and Pashtun.

winkywanky · « **Reply #46 on:** April 04, 2020, 10:50:37 pm »

Well done, that should keep everyone happy

crfc · « **Reply #47 on:** April 06, 2020, 11:34:12 pm »

Jerusalem the remix
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King Nuts · « **Reply #48 on:** April 10, 2020, 08:58:29 am »

Quote from: Thephoenix on April 03, 2020, 11:05:01 pm

Jerusalem, Vow to thee my country, Land of hope and glory...... They all have that stirring quality.

But why not have a competition.... Didn't The Aussies do that?

The Aussies had a vote on it, and went with the execrable 'Advance Australia Fair'.

King Nuts · « **Reply #49 on:** April 10, 2020, 09:00:22 am »

Quote from: ulstersubbie on April 04, 2020, 08:01:01 pm

why would you want to save the Queen, she couldn't give a f**k about the rest of us.

Yeah, that's right. Her TV appearance the other night was such bollocks, wasn't it.

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Author Topic: New English National Anthem (Read 7152 times)