Our National Anthem

I don't really have a problem with the anthem we have. The monarch (or head of state) is the personification of the nation, and I do want my nation to be victorious (in defence), happy and glorious, and long-lasting. The tune is uplifting, which an anthem should be. The subsequent verses of it, and lots of other patriotic songs, are embarrassing, but who ever sings them?

I can see the need for separate English and UK anthems, and I would argue that the English one should have been written/ composed by somebody English, and the U.K. one by somebody British or Northern Irish.

I dislike our national anthem which isn’t really “a national anthem” at all . We only ever hear the first verse and it’s just a verse of how great the queen is and how grateful we should be to have her.
I would like a real national anthem about being proud of our country and it’s people .

Totally agree Anniebach and I love our flag, too!

Totally agree. Always thought the National Anthem is a dirge. HRH must get very tired of hearing it I guess.

It’s just embarrassing to hear that slow, dirge ..... so dated now, and I have never stood up for it either !

I prefer 'Imagine' by John Lennon................

I think 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is American (from Carousel?) so very appropriate that this magpie nation might adopt it (like the English rugby fans singing Swing Low!)

There's a film maker (I think it's Terrence Davies) who I heard on the radio saying that his gran had inspired him. When she took him to the 'pictures' she was (as an Irish Republican) so anxious to avoid the National Anthem that she would hurry him out just before the end. His daydreams about the endings he had missed led him to want to make films! I love that story, as it is so set in that period of time.

I've just spent the last hour on YouTube (got distracted as usual) and I think the best anthem is the Australian one.

This is the Italian one for Nellie Italian National anthem

This is the Australian one Australian National anthem

I would pick You'll Never Walk Alone if I could - inspirational!

You'll Never Walk Alone

The Italian national Anthem is a great piece. I don't know the words but it sounds like a Verdi opera. (Cant do a link on my tablet. I am in bed.

We just seemed to know it! I do remember being tested on it at Girl Guides and we had to stand still when it came on at the end of a film in the cinema. I rarely went to the cinema but was a little shocked at people rushing to get out before it started! When I was old enough to hear it when the TV programmes finished I still felt a bit guilty when I didn't stand up even if no-one could see me!

Land of hope and glory has a good tune. But if you actually bother to read the words they reek of our appalling imperial past. We are a country with a one time huge empire with which we Brits greedily and viscously suppressed every one of our colonies.
The Welsh anthem is lovely but the Welsh will not want to share it.
Maybe "Jerusalem" is about the best option but the ,"Dark satanic mills" was a harsh comment on the industrialisation of England.

Me neither. I can't remember singing it at any event, either. Just joining in when its on tv.

I definitely didn't get taught the National anthem at school in Scotland. I'm not even sure how I came to know about it.

I don't remember actually being taught the words in the way we were taught other songs at school. Maybe we were, but it is quite a boring song. I'd rather have 'Radio GaGa' then we could all join in with the clapping.

I remember as a child wondering why she would rain over us and concluded it was to make sure the crops grew well. We lived in the country. As for all the verses I never even knew they existed.

I do that anyway. I don't know all the words to the national anthem. Once it gets to 'glorious' I start miming and doo de dooing until I join in with 'victorious'

JackyB .. Reading your comment I realised that I barely register the meaning of words, even when I know them well. The tunes are what take over when I sing. 'Jerusalem' and 'Land of Hope and Glory' are perfect examples. Maybe we could hum, la la, dee dee or do do instead of sing words.

A dreary, uninspiring dirge. Wouldn't it be nice to have an uplifting anthem, something that celebrates all that is good about this country, that speaks of hope and aspiration, rather than something that focuses almost entirely on the wellbeing of the monarchy?

To be honest, I'm not that keen on the traditional idea of patriotism. I just feel that if you live in a country it is courteous to try and contribute to it in a practical way rather than go around waving flags and singing patriotic songs. I believe in citizens' rights AND responsibilities and respect and care for everyone, regardless of their social class, race or religion. That is the sort of country I would like to live in (and I don't think we do a bad job but there's still quite some way to go) and those are the sorts of values that I feel we should celebrate in an anthem.

We could all hum along, I suppose?

Only 4 countries have anthems without lyrics and Spain is one of them. I just happened to look it up and then read JackieB's post. (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and San Marino are the others).

I can't decide if I like the idea or not.

Without starting a Brexit discussion, I really like the anthem of the EU. It isn't nationalistic or religious, but it does mention the positive aspects like diversity. Plus I love that particular piece of music!

We need something similar that perhaps refers to the strength in the unity of the countries of the Union and their symbols (instead of the gold stars). I don't believe any existing piece of music with lyrics will be suitable. Save the other songs for the sports field.

EU anthem

I like the current German anthem too.

When I taught in Kenya, the girls would line up every Friday morning, raise the flag and sing the national anthem. I can still remember it in both English and Swahili - the two linguae francae of East Africa. That anthem brings a lump to my throat when I hear it as an athlete receives a gold medal. The NZ anthem is sung in both English and Mauri at the beginning of rugby matches.

What a good suggestion * JackieB*..... the best yet!?

Perhaps it would be better if the tunes were played without anyone singing the words. Then each country could keep its symbol, the Olympic games awards would still be the same, and no one would be offended.

Horrible dirge I love the Welsh National anthem we had a Welsh teacher who taught it to us in Welsh I can’t sing it now but it’s lovely and like someone else said brings tears to your eyes when you hear it in full voice