Land of Hope and Glory

Ellianne

^discusssounded to me like a command from a teacher.^
I agree. What would you like us to discuss? The music, the lyrics, its usage, the current hooha?

I agree.....possibly expecting a right old barney??

Tge big familiar tune in Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, eventually Land of Hope and Glory, begins very quietly, more in reflectiveness than triumph.
Elgar was no tub-thumping supporter of Empire, and he was ambivalent about having this melody, first heard at the Proms in 1901 and then used in the Coronation Ode for Edward VII the following year, turned into a patriotic hymn when the First World War broke out. The war caused him terrible anguish, though it has to be admitted he was at least as concerned for the fate of military horses as he was for the men.
So he was never very enthusiastic about the words that A C Benson fitted to his big melody, and actually begged for some other less grandly imperial words to be substituted for them. But by then it was too late: the public adored them, and Land of Hope and Glory became a smash hit. The association with the Proms continued, and by the late Twenties it had become a Last Night fixture, though it was only with the televising of the Proms from 1947 onwards that the singalong became a visual spectacle as well, with balloons and silly hats.

JenniferEccles Well said re Jerusalem. It's good to hear someone supporting Boris Johnson on here instead of the bigoted remarks of the looney left.

Bigoted remarks of the looney left?

Great tune. Let’s rework the words.

The idea that Jerusalem is anything to do with how wonderful England is is so laughable. It's a poem by Blake about the disastrous changes the Industrial Revolution has brought to the country. If anything it is a direct condemnation of Tory values. The only solution to this is the second coming when Jesus returns (the legend being he visited in his youth). Sing it as loudly as you like, as our English master said when I was at school "If you understood the real meaning you would not sing so loudly or with such enthusiasm."
As a "looney leftie" I have sung all three songs and understand why some people may find two of them offensive.
Personally I'd like The Red Flag, or The Internationale sung more often. Or the wonderful Italian communist Bandiera Rossa www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMpdHhuT-is&list=RDaMpdHhuT-is&start_radio=1&t=0

Jerusalem was sung with such gusto in school assemblies. Everyone loved it I’m sure, the way it was belted out even by morose, bored schoolboys.

Janpt

JenniferEccles Well said re Jerusalem. It's good to hear someone supporting Boris Johnson on here instead of the bigoted remarks of the looney left.

Would this fit with the “uncalled for comments “ thread I wonder

Trisher . I love Bandiera Rossa.

MawB2- thank you for that. Had no idea- very interesting.

May I borrow this, MawB2? It is worth repeating.

Bigoted remarks of the looney left - wow

At school we sang Jerusalem as a special treat on significant days. I particularly remember singing it on the day we took the 11 plus.

Oh well we have the choice between the " looney left with their demeaned intellect" running around using the "F" word (not in front of the grandchildren of course) whilst the upstanding, pearl clutching citizens are singing Land of Hope & Glory with a doily out for the Queen ?

Anyone who doesn’t lap up every word of our dear leader is now designated a “looney”.

I personally think the world has gone bonkers!

Is it really necessary to call anyone looney whether they are left of centre or not?

I never remember singing "Jerusalem" at school. I might have done, but it obviously didn't make any impression. To be honest, I don't think I've ever sung it.

Signed

A left wing looney

My pearls haven’t seen the light of day since pre lockdown and I only use doilies at Christmas under my cake and mince pies!!

GrannyGravy13

Is it really necessary to call anyone looney whether they are left of centre or not?

It's not only unnecessary, but rude (IMO).

Signed

A left wing looney (allegedly)

growstuff we agree on something ??

Obviously I mean unnecessary and rude.

Anniebach

Lucca the ‘f’ word is offensive to many, fact.

I am sure it is. That’s not my point! I was disputing the fact that anyone who uses the word, even if only occasionally, is by definition lacking in vocabulary.

I'm fascinated by the outrage being expressed over the use of the letter F as it is mainly being expressed by posters who support the most mendacious, corrupt and incompetent PM the country has ever had. And his equally appalling government.

Not a whisper of moral outrage about that...

Hardly needs discussion!

Like Dame Judy and Janey Godley I’m not adverse to the odd swear word. What I do object to in those whose vocabulary is so limited theY keep using the same one, ad nauseam.

To be honest I’m more offended by what some people think rather than the language they use to express themselves.