National Anthems

[WHL]

Just listening to the French National anthem being sung at the match with Holland, and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.talk about a rousing anthem, do you have any anthems that do it for you???

[ApusApus]

Just listening to the French National anthem being sung at the match with Holland, and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.talk about a rousing anthem, do you have any anthems that do it for you???

No, but I have a couple that do the opposite!


Shane

[bromerzz]

God Save The Queen - has to be the best anthem as the version most commonly played is also the shortest.
But there are some nice rousing anthems out there.

[jen]

Whilst I too like our own anthem.

Watching the last night of the Proms over the weekend two of my favourites are played Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory and I would be thrilled if Jerusalem became our anthem.

[mike strand2]

Thank you Flossie - Wonderful. Just wish I cold hear it in a cathedral, rather than my laptop at home!

[mike strand2]

As much as I think "God Save The Queen" is an apt National Anthem for the UK, I do think the individual "Nations" should have their own anthem, especially for sporting events...for England "Jerusalem" or "Land of Hope and Glory"

I think you must mean 'Land of no hope & little glory'

[Devil]

Whilst I too like our own anthem.

Watching the last night of the Proms over the weekend two of my favourites are played Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory and I would be thrilled if Jerusalem became our anthem.

The music of Jerusalem is stirring and OK but the words are plain stupid and may even be sacrilegious. Jesus Christ never walked on England's mountains or pastures. Perhaps the 'dark satanic mills' exist(ed) but so what? And then Blake switched from the New to the Old Testament with his 'Chariots of Fire' etc. for no other reason than poetic licence. The last three lines evoke the bloodshed and horrors of the Crusades. Never would I want it as a national anthem.

As for 'Land of Hope and Glory', it is a hymn to 19th century imperialism in its worst sense. Do we really want the bounds of the British Empire set wider and wider?

[Dominic]

Poetic license in a poem? Outrageous!

Isn't Land of Hope and Glory British, rather than English?

I think we should have Days by The Kinks. You can't get much more English than The Kinks.

[Firefly]

I think it should be 'They'll Always Be An England'. Might even change my ring tone from 'Rule Britannia'....... or maybe not.

[josef k]

I am not a fan of God Save the Queen. Firstly, it is one of the few anthems that are about an individual rather than a country, which seems to be wrong. Secondly, the anti Scottish verses still exist, although they are not used. Isn't it time for a new one?

I like the idea of Days. But can't forget Billy Connolly's idea of using the Archer's theme.

[Kili01]

As an ex member of the British armed forces, I am quite happy with ‘God Save the Queen’ it is also a rousing anthem when sung in church, played at parades or at formal occasions, or sports presentation of medals. When watching major sports events, (with the possible exception of F1 racing where some ignorant behaviour is being displayed) most presentations of medals or trophies is done in a solemn and sensible way. But I also like both Jersusalem and Land of Hope and Glory which are both stirring in different ways.
But the piece of music which raises the hairs on the back of my neck is ‘Highland Cathedral’
When played in the bagpipes. It is best played outside as on the battlements of Edinburgh Castle in the sunset when the Edinbourgh Tattoo is on.

[mike strand2]

I think it should be 'They'll Always Be An England'. Might even change my ring tone from 'Rule Britannia'....... or maybe not.

I somehow don't think Scotland, Wales or NI would be jumping for joy!!

[JimX]

Tried to find this year's Italian Anthem being played last weeks F1 from Monza, unfortunately not available as yet, it was sung by a gentleman in a Trilby hat, it had some crying with emotion it was so different and brilliant also, wish I could find it, here is 2017 not as good but again different.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57e1miHs9Lk

[Firefly]

MS2

No of course not, it's an English National Anthem.

Jackie

[Dominic]

I think it should be 'They'll Always Be An England'. Might even change my ring tone from 'Rule Britannia'....... or maybe not.

Never understood that song. If it is about England, why sing about the Red, White and Blue? The English flag is red and white. And if it is about Great Britain, why leave out the other countries?

[Firefly]

Dominic

I was thinking purely about an Anthem for England, as mentioned in a previous post.

You are of course correct that the English Flag is indeed red and white.

Jackie

[Alewfin]

When home countries are competing against each other the UK National Anthem should not apply. The anthem for each country should be played.

The English Anthem should be Jerusalem although I quite like Billy Connolly's idea of the theme music from the Archers.

I think the best national anthem is the Italian. Its so Italian, it could have come from an opera.

[WHL]

Although I dont have any Scottish Blood, I must admit I do sing it, when I hear it, and get the urge, to slap on some blue Brave heart face paint ..Proper anthem.
https://youtu.be/7vkYiCdn834

[Devil]

Although I dont have any Scottish Blood, I must admit I do sing it, when I hear it, and get the urge, to slap on some blue Brave heart face paint ..Proper anthem.
https://youtu.be/7vkYiCdn834

Scotland has a stirring national anthem and has had the donkeys years. It is Scots wha hae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scots_Wha_Hae

[2QuarterPints]

This is probably heresy but, I find our anthem to be totally dreary and dated when compared to some. I think the days are long gone when we should be expected to laud our Royal Family, particulary as they have so many foreign roots, and would far rather have a stirring anthem that focuses on our country and people. I have never understood the mentality of our ancestors who felt the need to import "royalty" from Europe etc, and then allow them to rule us. At least today they do not actually rule.