Ban The National Anthem?

[mushroom25]

apparently it's outdated, and not reflective of global values...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3828682/University-considers-banning-National-Anthem-graduation-ceremonies-links-increasing-far-right-nationalism.html

if that's the case, what song would properly reflect britain's modern multicultural position in the world?

[Buenchico]

I always refuse to stand for an an anthem which calls upon a deity I don't believe in to 'save' a monarch whom I refuse to recognise. (I can't recall it forming part of my uni graduation ceremony 40 years ago. Perhaps Sheffield was more enlightened then than KCL is these days).

I don't think that any new anthem needs to specifically embrace multiculturalism; it simply needs to avoid anything which goes against it. It would also help if it was actually memorable. (How many people know the current anthem beyond the first verse, I wonder?).

Even better, it would help if there was general agreement as to exactly how many verses there were. (Some 'authoritative' sources say that there are officially only two verses in the current anthem, whereas the majority cite three, with others saying that there are four, five or even six).

[Mamyalynne]

Seems like every other day someone is calling for something to be banned, why can't folk just get on with their lives and either ignore or work round stuff they don't care for?

[Cloverjo]

I don't want it banned. I find it moving when it's played at Olympics medal ceremonies, for example, even though I'm neither religious nor a monarchist.

[youngmafbog]

Well I am not religious nor do I support the Monarchy.

However the majority do do so I always stand and sing and always will because I believe in this great country of ours and the song simply reflects our greatness as afar as I am concerned.

[youngmafbog]

One problem with things like sporting event is that the Jocks, the pads and the Taffs all have their own song but the National anthem is just that. National and not Engerland.

[ladybirder]

This version's not outdated. Way to go!!! Hope it works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hIE0vKQf6w

[youngmafbog]

Well the Sex Pistols also did a brilliant version!

[naomi24]

//Basically, f*** the nation state.' //

Why is anyone listening to him?

[tamborine]

Mr Andullhi would do well to follow his opines, resign from the college due to its patronage and enlist at a Bangla uni.

[Old_Geezer]

Anthems are about tradition and the past, not some idea of where someone thinks we should be. I like the pomp & ceremony. I don't care that much about references about belief in deities and acronistic morarchs. It is not supposed to be taken seriously anyway. It's symbolic.

[youngmafbog]

With you OG

[douglas9401]

You've always got Swing Low Sweet Chariot to fall back on YMB :)

[youngmafbog]

Yep, at rugby at least Douglas

[Cloverjo]

I love Flower of Scotland, and I'm not Scottish.
During the Commonwealth Games, I'm envious of how much the Scots put into singing it, while England usually has Jerusalem, which doesn't really mean much to anyone, except fans of William Blake maybe.

[youngmafbog]

Maybe that is because Nationalism has been pushed out by people with beliefs like yours ?

[douglas9401]

Let's not go down the dirge road at this time of night or somebody will bring up Jerusalem.

[douglas9401]

Psychic, that's me. :)