The National Anthem

[Rover_KE]

Too many people criticise our National Anthem on the grounds (1) that the tune is boring (without realising that it's short, no two lines are the same, and that many great composers have found it interesting enough to write variations on it), and (2) that the words venerate a figurehead rather than the nation, though we can't understand the words of most other nations' anthems to make a judgment.

Perhaps the new Master of the King's Music, when she has changed her designation to something more gender-neutral (Comptroller/Vizier, for example), may consider issuing an edict that at non-royal events such as sporting/athletics functions, 'God Save the King' should be played/sung at one beat per second (crotchet=60).

This will ensure that it is over and done with in 40 seconds -- perhaps the shortest in the world -- and silence those who insist on calling it a dirge.

Furthermore, TV companiesshould subtitle foreign national anthems with English translations of their native languages so that we may know what they're singing about and let us decide for ourselves the respective merits of the sentiments therein expressed.

[french frank]

To that we may know what they're singing about and let us decide for ourselves the respective merits of the sentiments therein expressed.

'Qu'un sang impur abreuve nos sillons'

[Pulcinella]

Too many people criticise our National Anthem on the grounds (1) that the tune is boring (without realising that it's short, no two lines are the same, and that many great composers have found it interesting enough to write variations on it), and (2) that the words venerate a figurehead rather than the nation, though we can't understand the words of most other nations' anthems to make a judgment.

Perhaps the new Master of the King's Music, when she has changed her designation to something more gender-neutral (Comptroller/Vizier, for example), may consider issuing an edict that at non-royal events such as sporting/athletics functions, 'God Save the King' should be played/sung at one beat per second (crotchet=60).

This will ensure that it is over and done with in 40 seconds -- perhaps the shortest in the world -- and silence those who insist on calling it a dirge.

Furthermore, TV companiesshould subtitle foreign national anthems with English translations of their native languages so that we may know what they're singing about and let us decide for ourselves the respective merits of the sentiments therein expressed.

Why should it be sung at all at non-royal events, I wonder.

(Thread title edited, btw.)

[AuntDaisy]

I was listening to "The Essential Hyperion 2" sampler a few weeks ago, and it ends with a resounding version of Arne's original "Rule Britannia" from Alfred - wth Catherine Bott, Joseph Cornwell & The Parley of Instruments / Peter Holman. Also available on their "Fairest Isle".
Hours of fun.

'de rois conjurés'? Shurely shome mishtake.

[LMcD]

I can never understand how the French rugby (or soccer) team can possibly lose after singing the Marseillaise. Perhaps we might win a few more sporting competitions if we replaced our current national anthem with 'Jerusalem' at Twickenham and Wembley. The Scots might also do better if they replaced 'Flower of Scotland' with 'Scotland The Brave'. When it comes to national anthems, the Irish have the right idea, and just happen to be one of the best rugby teams in the world.

[LHC]

I can never understand how the French rugby (or soccer) team can possibly lose after singing the Marseillaise. Perhaps we might win a few more sporting competitions if we replaced our current national anthem with 'Jerusalem' at Twickenham and Wembley. The Scots might also do better if they replaced 'Flower of Scotland' with 'Scotland The Brave'. When it comes to national anthems, the Irish have the right idea, and just happen to be one of the best rugby teams in the world.

Ireland's Call, which is the song used by the Irish Rugby Team is quite deliberately not a national anthem.

It was commissioned by the IRFU for the 1995 Rugby World Cup because they realised it wouldn't be appropriate to use the actual Irish National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, as around 20% of the team was from Northern Ireland rather than the Republic.

When they play in Ireland they insist on playing both Ireland's Call and the Irish National Anthem, as well as the visiting team's anthem, which all takes ages. It would be like England demanding that both Jerusalem and God Save the King are played before every match at Twickenham!

[pastoralguy]

Well, I’ve always thought Billy Connelly’s suggestion that the theme from’The Archers’ might be a worthwhile substitute.

[vinteuil]

I've sometimes wondered whether for The Six Nations matches England might use the Flanders and Swann anthem -

https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Flanders-feat-Swann/A-Song-of-Patriotic-Prejudice

.

[Rover_KE]

Well, I’ve always thought Billy Connelly’s suggestion that the theme from’The Archers’ might be a worthwhile substitute.

It would have to be the original version -- not the dreadful noise we have to endure since the 'update'.

[smittims]

I agree. The rescored Archers theme is an atrocity, a travesty of the original . It was clearly ordered and doen by people who just don't understand what music is about.

I've always liked the tune of 'God Save the King' and have never understood why people say it's boring or dull or should be replaced.

[LMcD]

I've sometimes wondered whether for The Six Nations matches England might use the Flanders and Swann anthem -

https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Flanders-feat-Swann/A-Song-of-Patriotic-Prejudice

.

An excellent tool for simultaneously backing the home team and insulting the visitors!

[LHC]

I agree. The rescored Archers theme is an atrocity, a travesty of the original . It was clearly ordered and doen by people who just don't understand what music is about.

I've always liked the tune of 'God Save the King' and have never understood why people say it's boring or dull or should be replaced.

The tune of GSTK is also used for the national anthem of Liechtenstein, and the royal anthem of Norway. It was also the national anthem of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1795 until 1918.

I can just imagine the apoplexy that would result if England used the Flanders and Swann song for their anthem.

[richardfinegold]

Well on these shores a very good American Football player of mixed race-Colin Kaperneck- was blackballed from playing during what should have been the prime of his career for kneeling during the National Anthem. This from a athletic league wher perhaps then per centof the players will have been charged with a felony at some point.

[LHC]

Well on these shores a very good American Football player of mixed race-Colin Kaperneck- was blackballed from playing during what should have been the prime of his career for kneeling during the National Anthem. This from a athletic league wher perhaps then per centof the players will have been charged with a felony at some point.

Happily we seem a bit more relaxed about such things. The entire England football team adopted the anti-racism gesture of taking the knee in 2020 and carried on doing so for several years. Although some of the more right wing and racist elements in football took umbrage at this, they were fully supported by the FA.

There have also been several players and managers who have refused to sing the national anthem and none have been sanctioned or dropped because of this. The current England Manager, Lee Carsley, has never sung the anthem, either as a player (for Ireland) or as a manager of the manager of England U21s or the senior team. His reason for doing so is that he wants to focus on his job and finds the anthems a distraction. Other players, including Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville have given similar reasons for not singing. The FA's view is that it is a matter of personal choice for each player, which seems sensible to me.

[gurnemanz]

The tune is a good one, but as an anthem it is nowhere near as inspiring or invigorating as the Marseillaise. As an expression of the desire that a supernatural deity should intervene benignly in the life of our monarch, it is for those citizens who do not acknowledge the existence of such a deity a futile plea.

I did find it useful when teaching English as a foreign language in that it contains two examples of the subjunctive form of the verb, which is nearly extinct in modern English.