English anthem

"But Man United reign" there would be rebellion in the Newcastle pubs. We'd have to ask for a Geordie state and have a referendum.

Riverwalk, I am not anti English , I am aware of the history of this country, I wouldn't be comfortable with the Welsh anthem if it spoke of being chosen by God to be mighty . Just joining in the discussion, if it's for the English only say so, I will never have to sing the anthem anyway, I just think England should have it's own anthem .

Good lord, jings, that's nearly as un-pc as flanders and swann! We'll have it!

Jalima Can't have "You'll never walk"- it's a Liverpool song. Geordie supporters would demand "The Blaydon Races" and make accusations of racism. So we'd have to have both and then West Ham would want.... Oh it could go on for ever!!!

The tune is very rousing though - perhaps we can change the words.

Am I alone in thinking it's not rousing, it's a bit of a dirge? And lots of people would still carry on singing the old words, it would be confusing what to sing when
People would be muttering to one another, is this an English event or a British event, what are the new words? - then it would all be over

There's often criticism of footballers, MPs, anyone really who doesn't sing along to our national anthem.

I also don't sing along because I'm not a royalist and also a non-believer; the current NA is a double blow to the likes of me!

The tune is very rousing though - perhaps we can change the words.

As for an English NA I'll go with the Roger Miller song!

Well, if we're going to include football how about 'You'll Never Walk Alone'?

However, perhaps we should have an entirely new melody; if new words are written for an existing melody people will start singing the old ones, especially if they can't remember the new ones.

As for the English and the Empire:
For example, some plantations in the West Indies bore Welsh place names, such as Denbigh and Swansea; sailing between Britain and Asia were the East Indiamen Anglesey, Cardigan, Carmarthen and Monmouth; and New South Wales in Australia was initially called ‘New Wales’. There are also examples of prominent individuals, some Welsh, others with a Welsh connection, playing a role within the Empire

And a link to Scottish Imperial history:
www.historytoday.com/blog/2012/06/scotland-and-british-empire

And possibly everyone sang the British Anthem in those days, unless it was before 1707.

You sound very anti-English Annie !

Were there no Welsh civil servants in the Empire, or Welsh regiments involved in colonial wars?

The Scots were very enthusiastic slavers, particularly in the West Indies but they do admit to it.

Yes grumppa, ruled the countries of the commonwealth before they fought for / gained their independence and formed the commonwealth ,

England has never "ruled the Commonwealth", ab. It grew out of the British Empire as colonies gained their independence, and with a few exceptions (the pre- Act of Union colonies) the Empire was created/acquired/cobbled together by The UK.

Sorry ... you got the second line wrong ... that should read Spurs ...

Done and dusted!

May Arsenal never win
But Man United reign.
And we will ever sing,
Fu-u-ck off the rest. (of the world)

Let us forever watch
Corrie and Enders too
God save our Beeb.

The tune of God Save the Queen is quite stirring. Someone should put new words to it.

"God save our fish and chips,
Long live our curries too.
God save Bake Off."

My error, I meant the commonwealth games , this would be worse as England once ruled the commonwealth

An English anthem wouldn't be sung at the Olympics as the team is GB and NI so we would be stuck with the present anthem which covers the whole UK. At the Commonwealth Games, the home countries compete separately so it would make sense to have different anthems.

Everybody who is English ( rather a lot!) will decide it if we ever get to vote in RL.

We'll no one else wants to choose for you Rosesarered because they will never have to sing it . I join in the discussion , I think at the Olympics a rendering of Land of Hope and Glory standing next to a country such as SA would be rather insulting

And no doubt us English people will get one anniebach of our own choosing!

I think England needs it's own anthem ,

POGS, can you not see the difference between the Welsh Anthem which includes it's fight for it's language, it's fight against oppression and Land of Hope and Glory which includes being God making it mighty - not the people- and a request for God to make it mightier and it's boundaries being stretched , this is not pride in one's country

Just pointing out that Scotland does not have an 'official' national anthem. At different events various songs are used - Flower of Scotland - Scotland the Brave - Scots Wha Hae - and my own favourite - the Freedom Come Aw Ye. Events often end with 'Will Ye No Come Back Again' or the, now international, 'Auld Lang Syne'.

There was much discussion during the Referendum Campaign when it was possible that Scotland would be needing an 'Official' Anthem, but nothing was resolved, opinion was split fairly evenly across the spectrum. There was, however, a lot of support for the tune 'Highland Cathedral' (written by a German BTW) with new words.

If the llikes of Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem are classed as being 'no goers' because of our past history and not 'sitting comfortably' with this day and age , why does that not apply to the Scottish or Welsh national anthems which are just as jingoistic?

I don't have a problem with the Welsh nor Scottish Anthems, why would I? but it is a bit rich to to disect well loved English songs for being jingoistic yet others are doing exactly the same surely.

The Scots have their fighting and dying against Edwards army and whilst acknowledging it was 'in the past' goes on to mention ' but we can still rise now and be the nation again'. Jingoistic of course it is , what is wrong with that? Isn't that what a national anthem should be?

The Welsh have their 'brave warriors, fine patriots who shed their blood for freedom'. the endurance of the Welsh language. Jingoistic of course it is, what's wrong with that? Isn't that what a national anthem should be?

Then we come to the English and we are told that jingoism is to be avoided not to upset others! As for the continued argument of the English and colonialism was there not Welsh , Scottish , French,Dutch,Spanish etc. involved ?

Time for the English to have an equally rousing national anthem yes. Time for the English to do the same as other nations and be proud of their country yes. God save the Queen is a British Anthem the English should have the same opportunity as the Welsh and Scots to show love of their country. Why not?

Is the English anthem only for sporting events ?