God save the Queen !

[visualnickmos]

I think it doesn't matter a flying fig whether a public figure sings the thing or not. This ain't Norf Kria!

[Mary Chambers]

... I refer you to my #22 above...

I've had to sing that one as well, and even though we had been coached I suspect my pronunciation would have made any Welsh speaker wince. I bet I was more convincing than Redwood, though!

It's never occurred to me until now to worry about whether I meant what I was singing or not. I imagine not, since as far as I know I have no Welsh blood - but I only had the vaguest idea of what the words meant, anyway.

[ahinton]

I prefer Daz. Even Omo at a push.

OK - so much for your laundry preferences (at least you do it!); I use Ariel Excel Actilift gel meself.

Now, to return to the topic, what's your view of my suggestion to substitute Fairest Isle for the present UK National Anthem and do you think it a good idea (and, if so, why) to retain a National Anthem in the first place?

[Nick Armstrong]

I use Ariel Excel Actilift gel meself.

They're all at it, ferney!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

They're all at it, ferney!

Gives a whole new meaning to "standing for the National Anthem"!

[ardcarp]

JC called it right, imo.

When I first saw that, I thought, "Blimey! Not the JC?"

[Richard Tarleton]

I suppose one would need to know the words, though.

This is key. John R didn't have the faintest idea what the words were, he was just opening and shutting his mouth like a goldfish. He wasn't miming.

[Flosshilde]

My favourite is the Willcocks arrangement, written for the Charles & Di Royal Wedding.

I prefer the Ives 'Variations' (yes, I know they're variations on 'America', an anthem which is as obnoxious as GSTQ, but they're such fun )

(as Bryn said earlier)

[Roehre]

I prefer the Ives 'Variations' (yes, I know they're variations on 'America', an anthem which is as obnoxious as GSTQ, but they're such fun )

especially in Schuman's orchestration

[jayne lee wilson]

I wouldn't sing it - couldn't really. (Atheist, Republican etc). But more from a certain amount of individual bloodymindedness really. And my 93-year old mother, who served as a sergeant in the armaments factories servicing the (bloody) Spitfires, had just confirmed to me that - she wouldn't bother either. She is, I should add, loosely a Royalist - pictures of babies, Princesses etc., hold some appeal for her. But we don't fall out over that.

[Flosshilde]

especially in Schuman's orchestration

I'll stick with the organ

btw, no, I don't sing it (GSTQ that is - or is it GSOGQ?), but then I'm rarely in a situation that requires me not to sing it.

(It's amazing the looks you get when you don't stand for the Hallelujah Chorus)

[LeMartinPecheur]

I prefer Daz. Even Omo at a push.

Surely Purcell washes whitest?

Guess that gets me banned from the boreds - sorry and goodbye:smirkicon:

[Tony Halstead]

I would absolutely LOVE to see/ hear 'Fairest Isle' replacing our deadly dull, smug and outdated 'National Anthem'.

[MrGongGong]

How about (c) - to not do so would offend elderly war veterans whose sacrifices, and those of their friends who were robbed violently of their lives, enables us to express strong views without fear of arrest or worse?

(again?)

Harry Leslie Smith: “As a RAF veteran of World War Two I'm not offended by Corbyn not singing national anthem – but I am offended by politicians who sell guns to tyrants"

Same tune as Luxembourg (if that makes any difference?)

[Mary Chambers]

Now, to return to the topic, what's your view of my suggestion to substitute Fairest Isle for the present UK National Anthem and do you think it a good idea (and, if so, why) to retain a National Anthem in the first place?

Fairest Isle is a beautiful song. I learnt it at school, and it's one of the songs I tend to talk about when I am (frequently) ranting about good songs not being taught in schools any more. I hadn't thought of it as a national anthem , but it would be all right, I think. Certainly better music than we have at the moment! I can't remember all the words, so will have to look it up. I have an idea the version we sang had slightly different words from those set by Purcell - didn't 'sweet peace' replace 'Venus'?

I can't see any good reason not to have a national anthem. Most countries, if not all, do. We just need a good one.