National Anthems

[johnlambert]

I personally think that "God save the Queen sounds like a funeral dirge, in my opinion a national anthem should inspire a nation to great things therefore I propose this for England and these for Scotland, I chose the Scoland ones because when I was a squaddie and part of the Army boxing team "black bear" was the anthem I marched into the ring too, and it worked, I was Army middleweight boxing champion 2 years running. What do other British ABers think of my choices?

[jake-the-peg]

Land of Hope and Glory's OK but the lyrics are all a bit of a meaningless "we're great" and it's not specifically English is it?

I'd go for Jerusalem - urging people not to be satisfied but to build a new Jerusalem in England's Green and pleasant land

[johnlambert]

Yeah I'd go with that Jake, it was actually a toss-up between the two, but I thought the words of "Land of Hope + Glory" would not alienate Englands athiest as much the words of "Jerusalem" would

[B00]

if no one goes for the above suggestions may I propose that we go along with Billy Connellys idea of using the theme tune for The Archers??

[littleoldme]

I seem to remember posting something remarkably similar about GSTQ some time ago, even down to the 'funeral dirge' analogy. However, if memory serves I believe my suggestion for an alternative English anthem was Tubthumping by Chumbawamba - its twin themes of bouncing back from adversity and...erm...going out and getting rat-ar5ed being quintessentially English.

The Welsh could have The Green Green Grass Of Home by Tom Jones while the Scots could stand proud and misty-eyed to the strains of Donald Where's Your Troosers by Andy Stewart.

Sorted.

[reinganum]

My own favourite for England is He is an Englishman from HMS Pinafore, which is a really rousing tune (and completely politically incorrect which scores a thousand points by my reckoning!)

I leave the Scots and the Welsh ABers to choose their own but the ones they sing at rugby internationals are OK by me.

[jake-the-peg]

I don't think we athiests would be too upset by that any more than God Save the Queen.

I think though that the reluctance to change would come from monarchists who would perceive a slight at the omission of the Queen fron the National Anthem.

Maybe when we have a change

[styley]

I like the Irish anthem, esp. the tune of it. Gets the excitment going before a soccer/rubgy/gaelic match etc.

[Pippa68]

Jerusalem for England...or 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' ;o)

[jno]

God Save the Queen needn't be a dirge. It's a waltz and could be played in a much more sprightly fashion; I don't know why musicians slow it to a crawl. The Americans use the same tune for one of their national songs (My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing) and I believe others may do the same.

I've always rather liked the Ukrainian anthem; its first line is 'Ukraine is not dead yet'.

[Kleiber]

I'll go with Flower of Scotland every time - in fact I actually like all our anthems, apart from God Save the Queen. I think something more stirring would be better.