Which Would You Rather Sing?

[venator]

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

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!

O lord God arise,
Scatter our enemies,
And make them fall!
Confound their knavish tricks,
Confuse their politics,
On you our hopes we fix,
God save the Queen!

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 ov'er

From every latent foe,
From the assasins 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!

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!

THE RED FLAG

The people's flag is deepest red,
It shrouded oft our martyred dead,
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold,
Their hearts' blood dyed its ev'ry fold.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.
Within its shade we'll live and die,
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
We'll keep the red flag flying here.

Look 'round, the Frenchman loves its blaze,
The sturdy German chants its praise,
In Moscow's vaults its hymns are sung
Chicago swells the surging throng.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.
Within its shade we'll live and die,
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
We'll keep the red flag flying here.

It waved above our infant might,
When all ahead seemed dark as night;
It witnessed many a deed and vow,
We must not change its colour now.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.
Within its shade we'll live and die,
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
We'll keep the red flag flying here.

It well recalls the triumphs past,
It gives the hope of peace at last;
The banner bright, the symbol plain,
Of human right and human gain.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.
Within its shade we'll live and die,
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
We'll keep the red flag flying here.

It suits today the weak and base,
Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place
To cringe before the rich man's frown,
And haul the sacred emblem down.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.
Within its shade we'll live and die,
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
We'll keep the red flag flying here.

With heads uncovered swear we all
To bear it onward till we fall;
Come dungeons dark or gallows grim,
This song shall be our parting hymn.

Then raise the scarlet standard high.
Within its shade we'll live and die,
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
We'll keep the red flag flying here.

[venator]

Actually, I prefer the anthem of the Fourth Reich - no words, just hum...

"In 1972, the Council of Europe adopted Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme as its anthem. In 1985, it was adopted by EU leaders as the official anthem of the European Union. There are no words to the anthem; it consists of music only. In the universal language of music, this anthem expresses the European ideals of freedom, peace and solidarity."

[douglas9401]

Neither, ta. When I see it written down though, I think the national anthem could do with a facelift.
Knavish tricks, thine arm extend, thy choicest gifts all kind of date it.

I wonder if Kanye's available.

[DTCwordfan]

Britten's version of the National Anthem is not bad for this Germanic music originally.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV1-OkHQ9KQ

[Baldric]

There seems to be a verse missing, but not to worry, I've found it

///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 King.///

[douglas9401]

Nice one Baldric. Want to follow it up with 'One world cup and two world wars'.

The planet's turned and we've moved on.

[Baldric]

No thanks, I don't do Football

[naomi24]

They're both pretty grim. I move we opt for "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life".

[Togo]

This is the version we need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KveGc6lgSAE

[wolf63]

Flower of Scotland, Caledonia or Scotland the Brave are brilliant songs.

[Cloverjo]

Listening to the Natinal Anthem when a British athlete is at the top of the podium at the Olympics always makes me well up.

[Ken4155]

This is the first time i've ever seen the words to both, in full, side by side, so to speak, and i must say i find The Red Flag a tad more 'rousing'. Though i don't think i'd sing either - i'd just stand with my head bowed respectively:-)

[EDDIE51]

Here is the full version,you have to scroll down.
I don't think the SNP will be too happy with verse 6 !
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/anthem.html

[Prudie]

I'd prefer Land of Hope and Glory but having said that I don't think about the words - it's the music that should instil national pride. By that I mean I don't actually think about the Queen or my stance on the Monarchy when I'm singing the national anthem.

[Baldric]

Eddie, see 07.35

[Old_Geezer]

What a strange either/or question.

The Red Flag is clearly an unreasonable option for a national anthem since it mentions other coutries. It is a political anthem not a national one.

As for which I'd rather sing. Makes little odds. Folk would be enchanted by my voice for either anyway.

[Old_Geezer]

...countries...

Like I always type !!!!!!!!!!!

[EDDIE51]

Verse 2 has been considered somewhat 'inappropriate ' since at least the 1800s.
I think the version written By Hickson is more suited to the present day and possibly to Corbyn ?
http://electricka.com/etaf/muses/music/shared_musical_treasures/god_save_the_queen/popups/hickson_lyrics.htm

[Retrochic]

how about a nice short one celebrating your country rather than politics or royalty? (IMO I would cut out the God bit though)

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

[venator]

Quite right, OG - I was referring to Mr Corbyn's preference for the Red Flag.

I'd forgotten the verse about crushing the rebellious Scots - perhaps we might reintroduce it, anent the SNP? (joke)

Do they sing the full 12 verses of the Red Flag at Conference?

[viv41]

I prefer the National Anthem, but wish our national song was 'Jerusalem'.