What lyrics for a National 'British' Anthem

I Vow to Thee My Country seems to express suitable sentiments.

Including the second verse?

Sorry for the grin, but it might not go down too well with the anti-religion folks on GN!

Have u got words for 2nd verse handy ?Just to get me up to speed .

Do you remember Billy Connolly suggesting the theme tune from "The Archers" as a much jollier tune?

You'd never please everyone with any lyrics!

It's the 3rd verse that's religious. The 2nd which I've never heard sung, is bloodily violent. I can't put a link but google it or go to wiki.

I vote for 'Land of hope and glory' . Good music, too.

Land of hope and glory, Mother of the free
How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee?
Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set,
God who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet

Second thoughts, might be a problem with those last two lines

Thanks very muchly , see what is meant by last two lines offending some folk

Both I Vow to Thee My Country and Land of Hope and Glory express sentiments that have little relevance in the twenty-first century. If the present National Anthem, which is equally old-fashioned, were to be replaced, it would be better to have something completely new – ideally relevant and memorable words and a catchy sort of tune.

words of I vow to thee my country

The second verse refers to heaven!

JO4 The second verse is hardly ever sung. It's the the third verse, which is usually sung, that refers to heaven.

We could have this bit from Shakespeare, set to a really good stonking tune.

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,--
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm this England.

It would only do the the English though. Scots and Welsh can think of their own.

And Paul McCatney can write the music.

The French don't seem to worry about blood and guts in their National Anthem.

JO4 Your link doesn't include the second verse all about my country calling me from afar.

absent

There were only the two verses when I was at school.

Found it! (good old Wiki)

I heard my country calling, away across the sea,
Across the waste of waters she calls and calls to me.
Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet on her head,
And round her feet are lying the dying and the dead.
I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns,
I haste to thee my mother, a son among thy sons.

I think we'd need to leave it out.

Jings, Despite driving DH mad by mumbling Shakespeare to Beatles tunes, She's Leaving Home is the only one that comes close....and not THAT close.

JO4

"I heard my country calling away across the sea
Across the waste of waters she calls and calls to me,
Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet on her head,
And round her feet are lying the dying and the dead.
I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns
I haste to thee my mother, a son among thy sons."

This was written in the light of World War I but, as mentioned, is rarely sung these days. Hardly surprising, I would have thought. Were there no patriotic women in those days or is it just difficult to find a rhyme for daughters?

I have a vague feeling in the back of my mind that there is somewhere that uses or used to use this hymn as its National Anthem but can't remember who. It's probably one of those obscure (to me) places like the Gilbert & Ellis Islands that aren't even called that any more.

Ok merlot! It was a suggestion!

absent I've already put that up.

Yes, I know JO4 but I didn't see your post until I had posted mine. Just a matter of timing. Sorry.

That's ok absent.

I am just being picky! Take no notice.

Well, it looks like Hey Jude is becoming our Olympic Anthem if not the national one but who cares if everyone's having a fab time

This would do ok.

We'd have to whistle it this fast