National Anthem

[Arti]

Old debate, I know, but do you think that the national anthem should be changed? I'm not a republican, nor indeed any way anti-royal, but I would like a national anthem that lauds the country and its people, rather than, mainly, just one person, ie the monarch.
Aswell as the latter verse(s) in our anthem (about duffing-up the Scots), do you think that the rest of it is out-dated? Do you think it should be changed?

[MarkRae]

I couldn't have put it better myself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nnnM-__JQ

[Bobbisox]

yes to Land of Hope and Glory

[redman41]

I like 'Swing Low sweet Chariot' like they have at Twickenham, not sure if it's suitable as National Anthem though.
God save the Queen is outdated

[craft1948]

I used to love listening to Jerusalem on the Proms............

[craft1948]

but that wouldn't work 'cos it's about England :-(

[redman41]

Thought 'Jerusalem' was about 'Jerusalem' craft !! :-))

[MarkRae]

Ah, the good old Victorians, eh, Crafty...:-) Not only was England the centre of the civilised world, but Jesus came here too!

[Arti]

Good link, Mark. Funny and true.
Bobbi, if we had your suggestion, I would feel proud to rise to my feet when it was played.

[Bobbisox]

me too arti, it is such a rousing piece of music, not a dirge

[Buenchico]

As an atheist republican, I'm not exactly in favour of a dirge which calls upon a god (who I don't believe in) to 'save' a queen (whom I don't recognise).

'Jerusalem' has always seemed an odd hymn to me anyway, with some very strange words.

'Land of Hope and Glory' sounds great at the Proms but the words are too out of date for modern circumstances.

'Swing Low sweet Chariot' sounds good at Twickers but I've no idea what connection it has with the nation!

It could be worse though. Have you seen what Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico have got? ;-)
http://www.guardian.c...tional-anthem-rewrite

I think the safest bet is to do away with words altogether and just have something orchestral and cheerful. Like this, perhaps? ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thuuik8z978

[jno]

Swing Low was sung was first sung at Twickenham because England were fielding a black player and people seemed to take this as the occasion for an old-fashioned '*** spiritual'. I suppose it's better than making monkey noises and throwing bananas on the pitch, as at football matches, but no, its connection with Britain is minimal.

I also think a proper anthem would be about the country rather than the monarch, but given the extreme embarrassment of many Brits is speaking nicely of their country, I'm not sure that the current one isn't more suitable after all.

[Bobbisox]

I vow to thee my country, is another one

[Jan1957]

I like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmeQ_M7fPMw

[Jan1957]

Snap Bobbi. x

[Bobbisox]

ha-ha Jan
good lass :-)

[jno]

Chris, the Mexican one sounds very close to the Marseillaise, which many feel is the finest of all national anthems, bloodsoaked or not.

The first lilke of the Ukrainian one is "Ukraine is not dead yet", which might fit the temperament of many ABers.

[jno]

first *line*

[CanisMajor]

no it's fine as it is. What do you suggest?

[CanisMajor]

anyway it isn't just about the monarch. there are 5 verses of a range of targeted praise. We usually only ever hear at most 2 verses.

[Arti]

Canis: Out of the 6 verses of GSTQ, three are exclusive to the queen and 1 is about crushing the Scots. I mentioned in my OP, that it is MAINLY about the monarch. Considering that there are 60m people in this country, I would say that my remarks were accurate. As I also mentioned, I'm not anti-royal. I would have no objection to a new anthem including a reference to our monarch, say in the third-or-so verse. As regards my choice, I would be open to a brand new one or an updated version of something like Land of Hope and Glory.