General Chat

Good one Rollo, seafaring Rule Brit is one I had not thought of.

As we owe much of our well-being as a country to centuries of seafarers I think it's a superb candidate.

I would opt for Land of Hope and Glory...
I love Jerusalem as well,but don't think it is fitting for the National Anthem...reminds me too much of the WI....used to sing it with pride when I was a member living in Wales!

at the start of the day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF7kzj4lCnE

I Love Jerusalem its one of my favorites

I do think we need something a bit more stirring for a national anthem - G S t Q is such a dirge - you need something to make you join in (like the one from Les Mis does with the barricade & the flag waving) land of Hope & glory is really good for that .

There'll always be an England' is good too - i also love London pride if we are talking about songs

I think a new one would be so very PC it would miss the point entirely & have no tune you could march to or join in with

You don't have the song writers any more or the British pride - bring back the good old days or Noel Coward

I'd be for Land of Hope and Glory, played at a brisk pace. It has stirring words and a rousing musical dtRt and finish.

But please don't let it crawl along as it will then sound like an anthem for an ineffectual and femma country.

Swing Low isn't right, in the first instance because its an African-American song/hymn. "I looked over Jordan," - some less educated people would wonder who Jordan was. Is she that bird from (some TV prog) ?
http://www.songsforteaching.com/folk/swinglowsweetchariot.htm
..........A band of angels coming after me....
...........But still my soul feels heavenly bound....
.........When Jesus washed my sins away....

'There'll always been an England' might work if the Empire line was omitted.

If a new Anthem was commissioned, it would probably end up as a dirge. :-0

:-) Rollo, I watched Chas & Dave one of the few cheerful offerings on tv over Christmas, so you might be right there ;-)

Good links :-) I have Paddy Reilly singing 'Fields of Athenry' on vinyl, one day I must get a new record player!

England could probably do fine with Chas 'n Dave the Sideboard song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axm8c2ble0U

leaving the devolved Republics of Yorkshire with Ilkley Moor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1zDB3nTF2Q

and Tyneside When the Boat Comes In
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utkMQJeiK50

The mackems would never stand for Blaydon Races or the Keel Row. English Rugby has already opted for Swing Low Sweet Chariot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOvQt9c-8F8

After this year's soccer fest in France the soccer fans will prob. opt for something matched to the results such as this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22BdaFiInrc
.
One of my GGF fought under the colors for 40 years and even tho a Scot he liked Lily Bolero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SISjSXsb1xU

Other countries have similar problems. For instance most people probably think that the Irish national anthem is "Fields of Athenry"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS0dUvEXx3g
when it fact it is this campfire song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV7lGmgFovM

GSTQ has two wonderful advantages though. It is short and even an English prop can remember at least the first line. It also reminds people that the nation is not ruled by the top dog in Parliament. Moreover for three hundred years we have fought and died under one flag and anthem.

"jerusalem" is a great piece if music it is just that as a national tune it rather passes by that only a tiny minority of the English are paid up members of the Tory Party at prayer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTwavrfsO44

:-)

Land of Hope and Glory was very well received during the Commonwealth games and I'd vote for that.

I love Jerusalem (it was our school song/hymn but that dolesn't matter I just like it) But not for a National anthem. I think there should be a song that is particualrly for England though not necessarily as a national anthem. and, yes Rose i like There will always be an england too. Maybe somebody could write a new one?

:-D :-D :-D He could have hit the nail on the head there
Guinevere.

:-D :-D :-D Guinevere I hadn't seen that, very funny :-D

Billy has it right

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

I'd like something upbeat :-)

I rather like 'There'll always be an England' , which I remember from a tv programme 'The War of Darkie Pilbeam' ( 1968! it has stuck with me amazingly well considering I was only 10)

but it does mention empire so perhaps not suitable :-)


"I give you a toast, ladies and gentlemen.
I give you a toast, ladies and gentlemen.
May this fair dear land we love so well
In dignity and freedom dwell.
Though worlds may change and go awry
While there is still one voice to cry
There'll always be an England
While there's a country lane,
Wherever there's a cottage small
Beside a field of grain.
There'll always be an England
While there's a busy street,
Wherever there's a turning wheel,
A million marching feet.
Red, white and blue; what does it mean to you?
Surely you're proud, shout it aloud,
"Britons, awake!"
The empire too, we can depend on you.
Freedom remains. These are the chains
Nothing can break.
There'll always be an England,
And England shall be free
If England means as much to you
As England means to me."

How about 'The English are Best' by Flanders & Swan :-D

Very un-PC though.

Yes, but with our multicultural/diverse community, it shouldn't mention God or the Queen.
As much as I like 'Jerusalem' , the phrase ' Lamb of God' would rule it out.

No, and especially not Jerusalem.

I'd prefer something non religious, if possible.

Not before time Rose and sorry I've always been
in favour of Jerusalem, but as a Scot I wouldn't
presume to influence anyone :-D

being discussed on the news, should 'we' have one, as the Welsh and Scots ( and Liverpudlians) do ...please please don't let it be 'Jerusalem' :-(
;-)

waits for onslaught :-D