English anthem

Novel idea

'My country,tis of thee
Land of sweet liberty' etc

Sung to the tune of 'God save the Queen!'

I like that Galen but pilgrims pride ? They left here not fled here

Well said, Greyduster, I agree with you entirely! I favour "I vow to thee my country" but would be happy with "Jerusalem".

I prefer the idea of being part of a brotherhood of man
Well, yes, of course that is an ideal, and a peaceful world, but would that mean doing away with the Olympics, World Games, Commonwealth Games, international football, rugby, cricket etc etc?

The anthem is not for jingoistic purposes, more to use in friendly competition and sing at events such as those. Surely we wouldn't want to do away with pride in one's country? (and who would want to abolish the Haka?).

Sung to the tune of 'God save the Queen!'
Oh no .....

It seems England lacks an identity , the suggested anthems are of the days of the British empire . I think a song writer is needed , an English writer , Andrew L W perhaps ?

Lyrics by Tim Rice?
are they speaking?

Lyrics by Gransnetters

Don't know if they have kissed and made up Jamila, I think Jeruselem will be the choice , I don't think it appropriate but I will never have to sing it

Too religious!!

'There'll Always be an England'

with a tweak to some of the words (red and white, not red, white and blue - and no Empire or a million marching feet).

That sounds good Jalima. I like that, it's easy to sing and quite stirring.

I agree with Annie that England does lack an identity. For so long now we've been told that English patriotism is bad, not allowed. Even racist. I think it would be good for all of us to stand up regardless of religion or skin colour and be proud to be English!

Nfk, I think England lacks an identity because it cannot let go of it's Rule Britannia attitude , I think England needs to find pride in other than how England once ruled what is now the commonwealth . The awful Land of Hope and Glory is a perfect example of this, no love of country just we are the big boys and chosen by God to rule. I think this is because England has never been oppressed, always placed itself top of the tree . So much England can be of yet it still clings to the days of the British Raj

English patriotism isn't bad , if it was the patriotism that was love of the country not pride in things past which was so wrong

I think Jerusalem would be great, the words evoke going into battle and giving your all, great to sing when you are about to compete for your country!

Is the English anthem only for sporting events ?

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?

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.

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

I think England needs it's own anthem ,

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

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

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

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.

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

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."

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

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