Anthems of the UK Nations at Major Sporting Events

[Vice Admiral]

Of the constituent nations of the UK, two don’t have a problem.  Before football, rugby union and rugby league internationals, Scotland uses " Flower of Scotland" and Wales has "Land of My Fathers" (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau).

Meanwhile, England and Northern Ireland both use “God Save the King”.  This, of course, is also the national anthem of the United Kingdom – although it feels more English than Scottish, Welsh or Irish.  The FA has also used "Jerusalem" and "Land of Hope and Glory" at certain events such as the Commonwealth Games.

There is a case for adopting one of the latter two songs as the official English anthem.  Both have wonderful, rousing tunes (though so, done well, does “God Save the King”).  However the words of both have what, in the 21st century, are doubtless regarded as fatal flaws: “Land of Hope and Glory” is too imperialistic; “Jerusalem” has Christian overtones.  And rewriting them simply wouldn't work.

But then most national anthems are hardly modern in tone.  The Argentinian one translates as follows:

Hear, mortals, the sacred cry:
"Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!"
Hear the sound of broken chains
See noble equality enthroned.

Their most worthy throne have now opened
The United Provinces of the South.
And the free people of the world reply:
“To the great Argentine people, cheers!"

May the laurels be eternal
That we were able to achieve.
Let's live crowned in glory
Or let's swear to die with glory!

Anyway, the problem England has is that a small number of her footballers don’t want to sing “God Save the King” – a phenomenon that goes back many years.  And last night, while most of the players made a reasonable fist of singing the anthem, two did not.

A sullen-looking individual with a beard (seems to be Reece James) and a sullen-looking individual with slightly tinted hair (seems to be Djed Spence) did not sing.  James vaguely moved his lips, but in such a way as to make it clear that he was a refusenik.  Spence just looked surly and unpleasant.

It looked awful.  The ceremonial moments before a World Cup semi-final are not the place for cheap negative gestures.  The singing of the anthems is an important part of the build-up to the match.  The unity and the dynamic of the team should take priority over personal “principles”. 

Perhaps the two men were too lazy to bother learning the words – ten minutes’ work.  More probably, they have no feelings of loyalty towards the country or – most probable of all – they don’t like the King or the institution of monarchy.   (It is perhaps unfortunate that our anthem focuses not on the nation, but on an individual as its representation.)

Compare this with the Argentinians.  The full-blooded passion with which all the players sang their anthem was, literally, inspiring.  It said a lot about them as a team, and about their attitude to their country.

Perhaps their unity and their patriotism gave them a psychological advantage.  Perhaps it is one of the reasons they won the match.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Surely it’s a personal decision whether to sing the anthem or not?

There’s a chance that the players that didn’t sing the anthem were in their “zone”, mentally preparing for what is ahead of them.

Of course footballers aren’t generally the sharpest knives in the drawer so it probably wasn’t a political thing.

[Pillowtalk]

scrap all anthem and flags.

[Vice Admiral]

Surely it’s a personal decision whether to sing the anthem or not?

If you have anthems (but see below), they should be sung. 

You can’t have a combination of hearty singers and “conscientious objectors” or the whole thing becomes an absurdity.  If the players in question don’t like this country – as seems to be the case – they shouldn’t play for the England team.

Anthem-singing is, among other things, a bonding exercise.  It shouldn't be an opportunity for petulant, overpaid young men to display their resentments.

scrap all anthem and flags.

I rather agree.

Twenty-two blokes kicking a ball about on a patch of grass has become altogether too much of a production.  It's only a game.  Football plus supposed "patriotism" is a messy combination. 

Meanwhile, the Argy players celebrating their victory while holding a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" was of course an absolute disgrace.

[Jerboa]

England anthem should be Fat Les Vindaloo.

[mr.bluesky]

England anthem should be Fat Les Vindaloo.

Nah, it should be the Worzels " I've got a brand new Harvester "

[mr.bluesky]

If you have anthems (but see below), they should be sung. 

You can’t have a combination of hearty singers and “conscientious objectors” or the whole thing becomes an absurdity.  If the players in question don’t like this country – as seems to be the case – they shouldn’t play for the England team.

Anthem-singing is, among other things, a bonding exercise.  It shouldn't be an opportunity for petulant, overpaid young men to display their resentments.

I rather agree.

Twenty-two blokes kicking a ball about on a patch of grass has become altogether too much of a production.  It's only a game.  Football plus supposed "patriotism" is a messy combination. 

Meanwhile, the Argy players celebrating their victory while holding a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" was of course an absolute disgrace.

The Italian national anthem is almost as long as the game 

[Pillowtalk]

 
Twenty-two blokes kicking a ball about on a patch of grass has become altogether too much of a production.  It's only a game.  Football plus supposed "patriotism" is a messy combination. 

Hear, hear!

[Jerboa]

Nah, it should be the Worzels " I've got a brand new Harvester "

No that should be for the people's republic of Wessex.