The National Anthem

2. O Lord our God arise
Scatter her enemies
And make them fall
Confound their politics
Frustrate their knavish tricks
On Thee our hopes we fix
God save us all

This is my favourite verse - with a heartfelt "God save us all"!!

As a Scot, I prefer to draw a veil over verse 6, though if it could somehow be adapted to Nicola Sturgeon . . . . . .

I agree with roses. I thought it was disrespectful considering the occasion. He is now the leader of a major political party and whether it goes against his principles or not, there are certain things he should conform to. He can't just do what he likes.

Far less hypocritical than John Redwood miming the Welsh anthem, and with such a daft look on his face. respectful silence would have been preferable.

Hell bells, we have had to put up with a Pof WALES who chooses not to sing the WELSH national anthem ,

No I didn't definitely not - two views are better than one and, as we crossed, this view was obviously due

crossed posts; you said it a lot better than me GG !

Perhaps it's time that we had a new 'national song' rather than one that celebrates the sort of imperialistic attitude that can inspire man to fight man? The ceremony is meant to praise those brave souls who fought, not for one privileged person but the persecuted who needed help. [I'm not anti monarchy, by the way; rather fond on them in fact, but have never really thought about it before].

This seems to be the modern equivalent of beheading or hanging, drawing and quartering which, at one time, would happen to someone who didn't agree with the sovereign's religion to me. Now we have death by media.

Does this mean that we cannot have a democratic republican as an MP?

The last verse of the National Anthem is:

Lord, grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush and like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush.
God save the King.

I imagine many of the Scots Nats would have a problem with the National Anthem too if they were asked to sing it all the way through.

Perhaps the National Anthem - in a country which is largely not committed to Christianity and has a sizable minority who are, at the very least, ambivalent about the monarchy, particularly after this queen - is out of date rather than Corbyn being out of step.

When I say must, it is not for me, but it is part of his job as representative as the head of his party, if he doesn't understand this, he won't be able to do the job.IMO he does understand it though.

rosesarered just at first glance at the pic on the front of the DT, 2 women in posh hats and 1 man in uniform seem to have their mouths shut too. It is not an unusual thing during the National Anthem. I feel we have become much more hung up on what things look like, we'll be expecting the "hand on heart" position next like they do in many countries.
What's that quote about Pharisees? I am sure soontobe can help out.

I would rather the media focused on the "big stuff", today's PMQs for instance.

Leaders of political parties must sing it, and especially at services like the one yesterday.

Because it is the National Anthem , we may not care for either the wording, the sentiments or the tune, but at this moment in time, it is what we have.

Alea, some do care more about clothes worn than what a person says

Wasn't there a similar furore when Wayne Rooney didn't sing before an England match? I noticed that at the last match he did sing. Media pressure or perhaps he just learned the words?

rosesarered, I doubt a Welsh leader wouldn't want to express their love for and pride in country. How can you say the national anthem is inclusive of all the countries of the UK? Crush the rebellious Scots is inclusive ?

Btw, I am not a monarchist especially, feel lukewarm about anything Royal,
But it IS our National Anthem and JC is in a position of power ( which he hasn't fully realised as yet.)

(and enjoy)

I think this is the start of the fall of Corbyn. Didn't take long did it?! Can you imagine a Prime Minister not singing the National Anthem at the Cenotaph? Can you imagine the atmosphere at the regular meetings with the monarch at Buck House?

Things are starting to get really --funny- interesting. We can now sit back and watch.

I would disagree Alea, don't think it was the clothes, it was the refusal to sing.

The fact that a lot if people dislike our National Anthem for not being inspiring is neither here nor there.

Storm last seen looking for a teacup?
Lots of people in the photo I saw seemed to have their mouths shut. He stood up respectfully and that should be an end of it, but oh no, the media have decided to go for the "mismatched jacket and trousers" the " undone top shirt button" etc I may not be a Corbyn supporter, but this seems too trivial to bother about.
Michael Foot's "donkey jacket" may have done for his political career, is image really all we care about?

Cornergran, I agree with your post.Lots of levels.I think that this simply echoes the feeling that a lot of people have, can you really have an effective Leader Of The Opposition ( maybe the next PM.... Not that I think he will be) but in theory he could be, who is a Republican, and a committed pacifist
In the job? yesterday was about celebrating the bravery of the young( for the most part although my late FIL was 40 when he was flying during the war) RAF pilots, as a pacifist Corbyn,if he had been alive at the time, would have refused to fight. Singing the National Anthem was part of this service of rememberance of their bravery and duty.
anniebach, you say you love your own National Anthem, how would people in Wales feel about a Wesh Leader refusing to open his mouth?It doesn't matter that the British Anthem is God save the Queen rather than simply about the country, because it can't be, My country is England, but the British National Anthem has to be inclusive of all the countries in Britain, so as the Queen is the Head Of State, it makes sense.

Nice tweets Eloethan. He is a republican in his views and, in a free country, has the right to express that view. I have no issue with him maintaining a respectful silence. Tory press looking for any excuse and they will find plenty, real or imaginary. Danger lies in how many people jump on their bandwagon as they did for Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband. I will be interested to see what happens at PMQs today.

I think I agree with everyone about this. Corbyn behaved with dignity and I dislike our National Anthem it not exactly rousing or inspiring.

I agree with Luckygirls point completely.

I found it interesting a year or so ago that when we went to seaside brass band performance that my son was conducting. At the end they played the drum roll introduction bit to the national anthem and we all stood up without a second thought. There's programming for you.

It's a storm in a teacup and probably a predictable one, knowing Corbyn's previous record. But it's a great gift to the right wing press.