Ireland, Scotland and Wales have definitive anthems which reflect their respective countries.
- Ireland – Amhrán Na bhFiann (The Soldier’s Song)
- Scotland – Flower of Scotland and Scotland the Brave
- Wales – Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land Of My Fathers)
The new anthem for England is the work of Sam Dunkley, a folk musician, who has written the music and lyrics after talking to the old and young about England. The new song is ‘intended to reflect English customs, ideas and creativity in contemporary times’, and will be given its first airing on St George’s Day (England’s National Day).
However, does England need a new song when it already has its own traditional and patriotic songs? Up until now many people have wanted the official anthem of England to be either William Blake’s Jerusalem or Edward Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory, (sung before England’s Rugby matches). Would it not be better to stick with a more traditional song?
I personally feel it is great we can celebrate Englishness. (England is the only country in Britain not to have its own national song and parliament.) The new song for England, is part of a wider programme of events about Englishness under the banner ‘Made In England’ that are scheduled to talk place on and around St George’s Day.
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There is only one Anthem for England and that is “Jerusalem”.
ReplyDeleteAbout time too! England can’t continue to use ‘God Save the Queen’. The Queen does not only rule England, she isthe Queen of the rest of the U.K. (and other countries too) I find it condescending.
ReplyDelete“Land of Hope and Glory” should be the English national anthem.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Charles, ‘Jerusalem’ is the definitive English anthem. However, I look forward to hearing the proposed new one on St George’s Day.
ReplyDeleteWhy should anyone listen to what the English people want?
ReplyDeleteDenied a parliament ( the only country in Europe thus denied)
Denied a say in devolution
Denied a referendum on the Lisbon treaty
Denied a national bank holiday for St George’s day.
Poll after poll have given the nod to ‘Jerusalem’ and once again we are being ignored.
Hello.Im 14 years old and in my history class, my teacher taught our history with British.I was curious to see how Great Britain is today.See,im an American girl because i was born in the
ReplyDeleteUnited States of America and i live in the state of California.I find United Kingdom a very nice country,its very big and Big Ben is beautiful.
I am a 16 year old boy who lives in England and who is proud to be English and i think that it is a great idea the English people have been left in the dark or been ignored for to long. so it i think a new anthem for England is a great idea but personal i think that Jerusalem should be own national anthem.
ReplyDeleteThe Anti-English Corporation aka BBC now care about England do they?
ReplyDeleteWell I’ll be damned.
I’m a music teacher and LOVE all of the traditional English songs on your website. The problem is that some are, lyrically, out of date and too imperialist in our modern, politically correct times. For example, the pomp and ‘chariots of fire’-style emotion of ‘Jerusalem’ make my chest swell with pride, but the suggestions that Jesus walked in England and that we can ‘build Jerusalem’ here are slightly embarrassing in their old fashioned arrogance.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, most modern songs nowadays seem to be SO politically correct they are wishy-washy and (melodically speaking) instantly forgettable. We need something in between the two!
Would be nice if we had an anthem without any religous conotations. How can they instill a sense of belonging when they refer to religous beliefs that many of us do not associate with!
ReplyDeletePatriotism is about feeling included and I think our anthem needs to reflect that.
who knows anything but the first verse of "god save the queen"? i think there are several more and and sure somebody out there knows, but there is no problem in being proud to english the scots and the welsh and irish have their days.it is not racist but national pride being supressed.
ReplyDeleteThese are the lyrics to my very patriotic song. There are few patriotic songs available apparently.
ReplyDeleteMusic sheets with me. Entered in this years UK song contest with others, as I've had successes
previously. Highly praised. Hope you'll use it.
Martin Selwood.
02392 594250. (UK)
MY COUNTRY .
A strongly patriotic song.
(Te be proudly sung by any country).
I want to tell you
About my country
The one place on earth
Where I love to be
I've travelled the world
From east to west
But I still think
My country's the best
Better than silver
Better than gold
Wonderful riches
In our people untold
We've mountains and streams
And attractions galore
Everything needed
For rich and for poor
We've high class roads
That carry heavy loads
To every part
Of our country
Rivers and walks
That you must see
Sights to thrill you
Right down to the sea
So let's stand and rejoice
And shout with one voice
For everyone every where
To see
How the world could be
A better place
If we lived happily
In peace – and tranquillity
In peace and tranquility.
© Martin Selwood 2009.
I see nothing wrong with God Save The Queen, but I believe we should sing the first three verses always,and children at school should learn the Anthem as part of their normal lessons so there would be no problems singing it. The first verses call for protection of The Queen,protection of our country from her Enemies and protection of our laws. There is no need for change.
ReplyDeleteYes, we should another National Anthem. "God save the Queen" should be sung if the Queen or other member of the Royal Family is there. "Jerusalem" or "I vow to thee my Country" should be sang if the Queen is not there.
ReplyDeleteI think we should all petition Parliament for one of this to be adopted in time for the Olympic Games in 2012.
May I point out that Ireland has it's own National Anthem because it is an independent sovereign country and has nothing to do with the UK.
ReplyDeleteNorthern Ireland also use the English Anthem they don't have there own.
Also the term British Isles, Irish people find this offensive as it mislead others to think people from the Republic of Ireland are british and we are not.
The matter should be put to a final, irrevocable and binding vote. In England! God save the Queen? Nothing against the old lady, but it isn't one of Handel's best now is it?
ReplyDeleteNo doubt the sentiments expressed therein recommended it more than the rather depressing tune to the, then, reigning monarch.
In defence of the National Anthem, does it not have to represent Welsh and Scots and Cornishmen, Manxmen and Jerseymen to name but a few. England has a national SONG, in fact two very good ones previously mentioned. What's this all about?
I think it is a brilliant idea we should all be proud to be British and a unique song is a great idea. I think we should be more patriotic abouut the country we live in its full of history and great places.
ReplyDeletewhen i heard that you were after a new song for england , i thought that you were after a new song for the england world cup, i have written one for the world cup which i think that you should for the moment get behind, and after we have wong the world cup, then i think you can then concentrate on a new song for england. rob p
ReplyDeleteLet me correct @anonymous…
ReplyDeleteMay I point out that Ireland has it's own National Anthem because it is an independent sovereign country and has nothing to do with the UK.
Northern Ireland also use the English Anthem they don't have there own.
"Northern Ireland uses the UK and Commonwealth anthem, same as England. It isn't the English anthem. They don't have their own either."
Also the term British Isles, Irish people find this offensive as it mislead others to think people from the Republic of Ireland are british and we are not.
"British Isles is a term used in geography, not in politics, if anyone is misled by the use of the term they are unlikely to 'get' the rest of the Irish relationship with the UK"
Other nationalities have songs for their country and I feel it would be a good thing for our country as wel. It would encourage people to be more involved in what is happening in the country. The difficulty would be in choosing a suitable song perhaps we should have a national referendum to decide?
ReplyDeleteI recommend "The English" by Michael Flanders and Donald Swan.
ReplyDeleteIt is best sung in the traditional English manner, with the tongue firmly planted in the cheek:
The English
(Flanders & Swan)
The rottenest bits of these islands of ours
We've left in the hands of three unfriendly powers
Examine the Irishman, Welshman or Scot
You'll find he's a stinker as likely as not
The English the English the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest
The Scotsman is mean as we're all well aware
He's boney and blotchy and covered with hair
He eats salty porridge, he works all the day
And hasn't got bishops to show him the way
The English the English the English are best
wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest
The Irishman now our contempt is beneath
He sleeps in his boots and he lies through his teeth
He blows up policemen or so I have heard
And blames it on Cromwell and William the Third
The English are moral the English are good
And clever and modest and misunderstood
The Welshman's dishonest, he cheats when he can
He's little and dark more like monkey than man
He works underground with a lamp on his hat
And sings far too loud, far too often and flat
The English the English the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest
And crossing the channel one cannot say much
For the French or the Spanish, the Danish or Dutch
The Germans are German, the Russians are red
And the Greeks and Italians eat garlic in bed
The English are noble, the English are nice
And worth any other at double the price
And all the world over each nation's the same
They've simply no notion of playing the game
They argue with umpires, they cheer when they've won
And they practice before hand which spoils all the fun
The English the English the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest
It's not that they're wicked or naturally bad
It's just that they're foreign that makes them so mad
The English are all that a nation should be
And the pride of the English are Chipper and me
The English the English the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest
'The English' poem cracked me up….thanx for that.
ReplyDeleteAs for Zoe (music teacher), I think you may well find that there is some historical evidence that Jesus actually did visit England…and what's wrong in declaring an ambition to want to 'build Jerusalem' here? After all, although many English people are probably what you'd call agnostic now, we are still (for the time being anyway) a Christian country.
And it seems these days that the slightest show of patriotism is seen as racist and the only time we are forgiven for displaying our flag (either the Union Jack or the St. Georges flag) is during the world cup!
dave,york
ReplyDeleteland of hope and glory that is the english song so why do we sing god save the queen and rule brittan at any sports event!!!!!!!! can anyone explain?
England's National song should contain the word 'ENGLAND' !!! Some of us are proud to be ENGLISH!
ReplyDeleteA patriotic ENGLISH anthem should have the word 'ENGLAND' in it! There are many of us who are proud to be ENGLISH. Why not use parts of 'There'll always be an England', especially the last verse? Simples!
ReplyDeletePatricia
i personally would prefer land of hope and glory, jerusalem if not that. Though i think which one is for now not important, what is, is that we get a chance to pick!
ReplyDeleteI am not entirely politicaly capable and do not even know where to start, as i presume most people aren't. So i guess all we can do is talk and moan and hope we make enough noise that some one who does know what to do… well does it.
In fact i think i may check facebook now and see if there is a group to generally get a vote for it, instead of the ones which ask for a specific one… if not ill make it :o)
by the way great peom song thing!