Commonwealth Games Anthem

[waimarie]

After some 18 replies to an earlier question on sports teams anthems, we do not seem to have an answer to individual countries of the UK.

Does anybody know yet what anthem has been selected when (if) England wins any gold medals in Melbourne?

The opening ceremony is on Wednesday 15th March (which wasn't a good date for Julius Caesar) and is not too far away. I would imagine even our sports bodies might have some idea by now?

[KebabMeister]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_national_anthem

[B00]

I don't understand- is there a specific reason why our national anthem wouldn't be used waimarie?

[kazza12345]

i would guess because if wales and scotland and england are entering seperately, you couldnt use the same national anthem for all 3? At the begining of the rugby at the weekend, they played one song for wales and god save the queen for england - strange!

[Loosehead]

Depends on the games I remember when the Comonwealth games where in Edinburgh the anthem for England was "Land of Hope and Glory" however at later comonwealth games They played "God Save the Queen". For Scotland it's "Flower of Scotland" and for Wales it's same as last Saturday's

[waimarie]

Yes Boo, that's the problem. The anthem 'God Save the Queen' is the UK anthem, whenever the individual entities of the UK/GB enters competitions(England/Scotland/Wales/N.Ireland) it is not usual to play GSTQ when the medals are presented or, as a courtesy before a match in the case of the England v Wales rugby match last Saturday. Each country has its own anthem/national song.

A very good example of this is The Commonwealth Games which will be held in Melbourne, starting the 15th March. So, it would seem opinions are still divided. I wonder what odds are being offered at the bookies?

[waimarie]

Many thanks KebabMeister, The 'wikipedia' site gives a good broad brush offering from all countries. So, it would seem to come down to either 'Land of Hope & Glory' or 'Jerusalem'. Still wonder what the odds are for each?

[Quizmonster]

As I pointed out in the earlier thread you refer to, Waimarie - or one such thread anyway - the "land" in "Land of Hope and Glory" is the UK, not England.
It was, after all, a line in the 'Coronation Ode' written by AC Benson to accompany Elgar's 'Pomp and Circumstance March No 1' music. It was for Edward VII's coronation and he - just like the present queen - was monarch of Great Britain and not just England.
It always tickles me, as a Scot, when Englishmen belt out the words, totally oblivious to the fact that this is not a hymn to them, but equally to the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish, too! I do hope that's the anthem chosen.

[Stu in USA]

They always play "God save the Queen" when England play football, even when its against one of the other UK countries, and I don't remember any comments/objections when it happened recently against Wales and N.Ireland.

[Hans_Olo]

I think God save the queen is the anthem used, although I too remember land of hope and glory being used in previous games. I'm sure there are a number of other countries that enter the commonwealth games that officially have god save the queen as their anthem. Do those countries have separate anthems for the games?

[waimarie]

Hi Hans_Olo, I think you will find that each Commonwealth member will have their own, individual anthem and that GSTQ may be played only at the opening/closing ceremony. The reason I asked this question is the recurring soul searching for an English, as against British, identity. I sincerely hope we (the English) manage to win a gold medal at the Games so that I can sleep at night!!