Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

The National Anthem

(92 Posts)
Floradora9 Tue 29-Nov-22 19:59:22

Listening to it before the football to-night it struck me that it is the only anthem not about the country but just about the king or queen Surely it is time to change this . Cannot say I wanted to watch the football but DH does and he has had a bad day so deserves to watch it .

Oreo Tue 29-Nov-22 20:02:39

I’ve been thinking the same Floradora9 we need a good uplifting anthem about our country, and God Save The King is a real draggy song anyway.

TillyTrotter Tue 29-Nov-22 20:16:33

DH was hoping our new Monarch may change our dreary National Anthem but not heard a mention of it.

Blossoming Tue 29-Nov-22 20:20:29

It’s a dirge.

Galaxy Tue 29-Nov-22 20:21:24

It's so awful.

grannydarkhair Tue 29-Nov-22 20:25:01

Billy Connolly on the National Anthem 😂

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nnnM-__JQ

Calendargirl Tue 29-Nov-22 20:28:34

It’s fine as it is.

Yammy Tue 29-Nov-22 20:30:34

It is a dirge and we should be singing about our diverse country, not the king.
It was actually originally sung when there was a threat from Prince Charles Edward Stewart to please one of the Hanoverian Georges. I asked the same question about two years ago. Got lots of answers but no agreement.
Maybe with a bit of luck, King Charles will commission a new one. Or I vow to thee my country or land of hope and Glory if not a new one?Come quickly to mind.

Grandma70s Tue 29-Nov-22 20:43:55

I Vow to thee my Country
and Land of Hope and Glory are good tunes, but the words are every bit as unsuitable as God Save The King.

Patsy70 Tue 29-Nov-22 20:57:38

My OH has been saying for years that we need a more uplifting National Anthem. ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ would be my choice, but open to other suggestions.

Hellogirl1 Tue 29-Nov-22 21:08:26

Jerusalem

Blossoming Tue 29-Nov-22 21:09:59

Do Wales, Scotland and NI have ‘official’ national anthems? They each have their own football and rugby teams and I can’t imagine they all sing God save the current hereditary monarch.

Doodledog Tue 29-Nov-22 21:10:55

I think that if we are going to change it we need a new one to be written, with words that are not about spreading our boundaries wider or making us mightier yet grin.

Something that represents all races and religions would be good, and if it talks about unity and pulling together, and has a jolly tune, so much the better.

Blossoming Tue 29-Nov-22 21:12:43

Jerusalem was a protest song.

Silvergirl Tue 29-Nov-22 21:13:29

I’m always bemused as to why England think it is their anthem to sing. IMHO it could equally be claimed and used by Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. England’s rugby team does the same. Just a thought!

Visgir1 Tue 29-Nov-22 21:27:47

grannydarkhair

Billy Connolly on the National Anthem 😂

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nnnM-__JQ

Totally agree good enough for the Archers good enough for everyone.

Casdon Tue 29-Nov-22 21:43:52

It is the ‘official’ national anthem for the whole UK, but the other nations use their own ‘unofficial’ national anthems in preference. Wales may have lost at the football tonight, but we won on the national anthem front.

paddyann54 Tue 29-Nov-22 21:51:09

That Welsh anthem brings me to tears everytime I hear it .
I'm the same with this ,which I would be happy to have as the Scottish one as F of Scotland is a dreary dirge

youtu.be/rmxqjzCxNEE

Mollygo Tue 29-Nov-22 22:07:48

Been discussed so many times and though I don’t mind the National Anthem for UK, espeI agree. National Anthem for UK, but I’d love something to sing when parts of the UK are playing against each other.

Callistemon21 Tue 29-Nov-22 22:16:40

Blossoming

Do Wales, Scotland and NI have ‘official’ national anthems? They each have their own football and rugby teams and I can’t imagine they all sing God save the current hereditary monarch.

Wales has an Anthem, Scotland sings an unofficial Anthem (but I'm sure the Scots could choose something more uplifting), N Ireland doesn't have one as far as I know.

paddyann54 Tue 29-Nov-22 22:27:34

I think we need something forward looking for a progressive country F of Scotland is dragging us back and the past has gone we have to look to a better future .315 years of WM rule hasn't been a success for us ,we can and will do mch better for ourselves.

Zoejory Tue 29-Nov-22 22:29:09

Maybe Living on a Prayer would do. Quite apt and everyone always sings along.

Casdon Tue 29-Nov-22 22:38:24

Callistemon21

Blossoming

Do Wales, Scotland and NI have ‘official’ national anthems? They each have their own football and rugby teams and I can’t imagine they all sing God save the current hereditary monarch.

Wales has an Anthem, Scotland sings an unofficial Anthem (but I'm sure the Scots could choose something more uplifting), N Ireland doesn't have one as far as I know.

Northern Ireland is the Londonderry Air, aka Danny Boy. None of them are official though, they are not recognised legally - not that it matters at all, they are adopted.

I think for England to change theirs though it will be people power at sporting events that does it, I don’t think a song is chosen, it’s more that it chooses you? (Eg why was Sweet Caroline the song for the Queen’s Jubilee?)

25Avalon Tue 29-Nov-22 22:55:27

I can’t say I’m particularly bothered as how often is it actually used apart from the football? Do you remember when it used to play at the cinema at the end of the film and we all had to stand? Not any more. Most National Anthems are pretty dire imo and few get sung just mimed to.

Doodledog Tue 29-Nov-22 22:59:00

Zoejory

Maybe Living on a Prayer would do. Quite apt and everyone always sings along.

😂