Laurence Fox/Dame Vera Lynn versus BBC

I will have to come with you mcem, have you a boat? , I am happy to do the sandwiches.

So gwen are you suggesting that I should be deported as I have declared my dislike of both songs in question?

I copied and pasted this from an article online:
What about other countries?
Is Rule Britannia really so offensive compared to the lyrics of other countries' hymns? Judge for yourself...

France: La Marseillaise

'They're coming right into your arms, to cut the throats of your sons, your comrades! Let's march, let's march, that their impure blood should water our fields.'

Ireland: The Soldier's Song

'Some have come from a land beyond the wave, sworn to be free, no more our ancient sireland shall shelter the despot or the slave.'

US: The Star-Spangled Banner

The US anthem celebrates 'bombs bursting in the air' as they 'gave proof through the night that our flag was still there'. It then celebrates the spilling of 'their blood'… for 'conquer we must'.

Italy: The Song of Italians

'The Austrian eagle has lost his plumes. This eagle that drunk the blood of Italy and Poland, together with the Cossack.'

Hungary: National Anthem

Remembering the Ottoman Empire as a 'barbarian nation', Hungary's anthem still includes the following suspect line about the suffering it endured at the hands of a nearby neighbour: 'the Turks' slave yoke we took upon our shoulders'.

Portugal: A Portuguesa

'To march against the enemy guns! … To arms, to arms, on land and sea!'

Mexico: National Anthem

'War, war without truce against who would attempt to blemish the honour of the fatherland!' ... The patriotic banners saturate in waves of blood.'

Ellanvannin Thailand was overrun and occupied by the Japanese in 1941.
Why should anyone boycott Thailand? The prisoners suffered at the hands of the Japanese, not the Thais.

You are wrong if you think no-one cares.
There is a charity -the Children of Far East Prisoners of War www.cofepow.org.uk dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the Far East POWs.

My DH is a member. Perhaps you can work out why.

If people arent able to understand that people can like/dislike whichever songs they wish, those people have no business in this country.

At least there has now been a commitment to put those two songs back next year in the usual format

If we are such a racist country why does anyone want to come and live here?

Doesn't alter the fact that those POW's would never forget their ordeal in that country--those who survived. They certainly wouldn't have wished to return.

I'd make sure that the younger generation were made aware of the sacrifices these men gave while enjoying their holidays in Thailand.

I bet nobody gives a fig !!

Here here, Gwenisgreat1

Trisher I didn't say it was sung by fishermen though it may well have been.
I believe the mention of slaves in Land of Hope and Glory referred to that and obviously fishermen were taking a risk whilst they struggled to feed their families. It wasn't boastful it was to give hope. Is it wrong, in these difficult times, to allow people to hear songs that give joy and hope. Why erase our history?

The BBC has forgotten what the first 'B' stands for - British!! If people don't like Land of Hope and Glory, then they have no business in this country!!

Getting down from soapbox!!

annodomini

Hooty has it right. There is no political implication in not allowing these songs to be sung, simply protection from Covid19.

The BBC Singers will be there so if they can sing, You'll Never Walk Alone, I don't see why they can't sing the other two.

Gajahgran

Trisher did you read up on the Barbary Pirates and how wives and children were kidnapped on the Cornish coast whilst their fishermen husbands were trying to earn a living. The wives and children became slaves. Ain't the Internet great!

Also Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles Iceland and the countries bordering the Baltic I understand. There is a brilliant book by Sally Magnusson called The Sealwoman’s Gift, based on a true story which I highly recommend.

Gajahgran No I didn't. I just find it amusing that a song allegedly sung by sailors (really?) was about freedom which is one thing they were not.
I did see House through Time where he discussed the role of pirates in 18th century England.

Ellanvannin Far East POWs were prisoners of the Japanese, not the Thais.

The enmity lasted for decades and the atrocities and the suffering the prisoners endured are not forgotten.

Plenty of slavery going on using our own during the Second World War when POW's were in Thailand building the railways and bridges ( River Kwai ) Appalling conditions and many deaths. Do we boycott Thailand because of it ?

I bet those who were lucky enough to survive were glad to return to the " Land of Hope and Glory " ! The forgotten few, eh ?

Trisher did you read up on the Barbary Pirates and how wives and children were kidnapped on the Cornish coast whilst their fishermen husbands were trying to earn a living. The wives and children became slaves. Ain't the Internet great!

Hooty has it right. There is no political implication in not allowing these songs to be sung, simply protection from Covid19.

11:27GrannyGravy13

Land of Hope and Glory is No.1 in the iTunes chart ?

Fantastic GrannyGravy

We won't let these miserable buggers win

Isn’t it to do with Covid? I thought singing wasn’t allowed as it increases the risk of spreading the virus!

My friends’ daughter got married last week and there was no singing allowed in church.

Re the Notting Hill Carnival. We went to the second one - a jolly affair and we certainly weren't the only white people there.

Trisher

Strange if it was meant to hearten sailors that it was written when most British sailors were press ganged- so they were not volunteers who would find the words inspiring, but almost slaves-kidnapped

Indeed they were. There are several pubs in the U.K. called The Moon Under Water, which refers to the practice of the Navy recruiters putting a shilling in men’s glasses of ale, to trick them into taking the Queen’s Shilling.

Full story here, from the website of The Moon Under Water in St Petersburg, Florida.

www.themoonunderwater.com/about.php

So people can sing along in their homes, fine, just don't inflict it on the rest of us. I do like a bit of Elgar, but not the words, I'm with Elgar on that one. Actually you don't have to download many to be no 1.

Land of Hope and Glory is No.1 in the iTunes chart ?

Gajahgran

People need to learn their history. The slaves referred to are Britons who were captured by Barbary Pirates. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_on_the_Barbary_Coast. The songs were meant to hearten sailors and fishermen.

Strange if it was meant to hearten sailors that it was written when most British sailors were press ganged- so they were not volunteers who would find the words inspiring, but almost slaves-kidnapped.
The words have been changed as well. It used to be "rule" slightly different to the Victorian "rules" and it used to be 'will' not 'shall'. Ain't Wiki wonderful!!!