The National Anthem

Zoejory

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

Ha! I love this idea. 🤣

OxfordGran

Jerusalema? dance to the Anthem?

👏🏼

I was thinking Land of Hope and Glory but that has rather unpleasant colonisation overtones. Jerusalem is regarded as blasphemous by many. There’ll always be an England ?

Jerusalema? dance to the Anthem?

Thanks Casdon.

I’m so pleased that it’s not mine as I wouldn’t sing it, I’m Welsh and love ours

I remember our English teacher at school saying we wouldn't sing so enthusiastically if we really understood Blake's words.

As the English National Anthem there is always Flanders and Swan's "The English are Best" www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4zyfwtDIHE
Apologies to all from the other three countries. It is completely non-PC.

StoneofDestiny

*Not Jerusalem. How many other countries would sing about establishing a foreign capital in our green and pleasant land.? How would Muslims, Hindus and other religions feel about that? Perhaps substitute Beijing or Washington? I know what Blake was referring to but that makes it a purely Christian hymn. Not relevant to our multi-cultural society*

Apart from that, it's about Englands 'green and pleasant land', so not appropriate for anybody but the English

England needs it's own Anthem too.
At sporting events when, for example, England plays Wales, the Welsh sing their anthem with gusto, the English have to sing the one which represents the whole of the UK.

Jerusalem is a very controversial option - so controversial that when I got married the vicar would not allow it to be used in the ceremony.
www.spectator.co.uk/article/there-s-nothing-patriotic-about-william-blake-s-jerusalem

Pressed post too quickly
Or Britain’s green and pleasant land

StoneofDestiny, you’re right, and that’s the problem with so many songs that we sing enthusiastically. So many different cultures-even though they’re born in the UK, living in England and are happy to declare they’re British if asked, will make it difficult to find a song that will suit all.
In Jerusalem, that word was meant to be a place to aspire to for Christians. To my knowledge, neither Beijing, nor Washington are places we would aspire to be, and they don’t scan anyway. May just as well use Afghanistan

I thought we could maybe use the tune and the words of Jerusalem, but substitute Utopia for Jerusalem?
According to Merriam-Webster ,
Utopia is a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions
So Till we have built Utopia in England’s Green and Pleasant land, could well be something to aspire to.
What do you think?

Not Jerusalem. How many other countries would sing about establishing a foreign capital in our green and pleasant land.? How would Muslims, Hindus and other religions feel about that? Perhaps substitute Beijing or Washington? I know what Blake was referring to but that makes it a purely Christian hymn. Not relevant to our multi-cultural society

Apart from that, it's about Englands 'green and pleasant land', so not appropriate for anybody but the English

What’s wrong with Rule Britannia? A happy tune?

You need to ask?

I'd stand for Flower of Scotland, but never in a million years for God Save the Queen, King or any other monarchic figure.

Masonic Dinner- another close knit group like some see the RF and before you ask, yes. I am well acquainted with Freemasons through several generations. But at least you stood.

First problem I had with my late FIL was when I refused to stand for the National Anthem at a Masonic dinner .No chance in hell of me ever standing for it .I told him I would sit at the table or I would walk to the loo ...his choice .I walked to the loo

Bodach

"The Welsh sing "Oh land of my Fathers beautiful in Welsh", and the Scots "The flowers of the Forrest_".
Yammy: I think you probably mean "Flower of Scotland". "Flowers of the Forest" is a lament for the Scots killed at Flodden in 1513. A lovely song, but not a suitable national anthem..

Personally, I like" Scotland the brave."Sorry I got muddled up.

ordinarygirl

I think we need a new anthem but I get concerned that a new one could be either jazz or rap!

Oh I don't know. George the Poet and Kae Tempest both have a great way with words and produce amazing rap poems (or poetic raps) with real social meaning. I bet either of them could come up with something appropriate and inclusive.

Calendargirl

It’s fine as it is.

Agreed!
It ain't broke so it don't need fixing.
I just find I can no longer get the words right. It's going to take a while to get used to the new lyrics and, until then I'm singing
'God save our gracious Quing'

I am 73 and have never sung it nor stood up for it my life, and never will. Our national anthem should celebrate the people of our nation, our struggles and our pride in what we have achieved despite the class who would rule us.

I think we need a new anthem but I get concerned that a new one could be either jazz or rap!

It was this Eloethan, the Wales World Cup song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=43Fag8ZQcz4

I agree - it's dreary and inappropriate and expresses some very outdated ideas which are about one person "reigning," rather than the country and its population as a whole.

During coverage of the football, a song (I don't think it was the national anthem) was played which they showed Wales supporters singing beautifully. I don't know what the words were but the melody was lovely.

In Scotland we sing Oh Flower of Scotland not Flowers of the Forest.

I don’t live in the UK any more, so always love to hear our National Anthem. Hope they never change it!