Brit National Anthem

[sandman67]

I was watching the Hayes Klisko fight at the weekend (and what a great scrap it was) and had a discussion while the warm up was in process (for nearly an hour) about the UKs National Anthem as the woman they had singing it murdered it stone dead.

God Save The Queen is a dirge anyway I think. Half way between a hymn, with all its references to God, and half way to a funeral march....slow, dull and miserable. Most people can sing the first line and then hum along with the rest....thats how popular it is.

Now cast your mind back to any of the Last Night Of The Proms you have ever seen. Remember that bit with all the Union Jacks flying and the audience heartily singing along? What are they singing?

Rule Britannia!

Now, Rule Britannia is more secular - reflecting the fact the UK is now a majority secular nation. It also reflects our glorious naval martial past, which we Brits love to shove in Johnny Foriegners face, and its a stirring and much chirpier tune that gets the crowd going ... I think we should change the national anthem.

Lets replace the dirge of God Save The Queen with Rule Britannia.

Another point is that the odd pagent wedding aside, the Royals are an increasingly irrelevant part of UK life.

Anyone agree? Concensus in the bar on fight night waas a resounding Yes....mind you I was watching the fight with a taff, a yank and a canuk.

Of course there are also other options.....feel free to suggest em.

Jerusalem by Elgar is very Brit, but again its a bit churchy.....

[sandman67]

See....

[dtaai-maai]

I'd vote for Swing Low Sweet Chariot, with the actions, of course!

Actually, I'd really like to nick the Welsh 'anthem' - never mind the words, what a sound.

[Piesat42]

Land of Hope and Glory gets my vote

[Terry]

Saturday night's alright for fighting - gets my vote

[Jimbob]

So many anthems!
Regal anthems, jingoistic imperial anthems,religious anthems, sports anthems: one for every occassion.
Perhaps a new anthem similar to the new Zealand and South African langauages?
Alternate verses in Gaelic, Welsh, English, Urdu and Arabic.

Unoffical Australian anthem is 'I come from a land down under'
Maybe Britons should have as an unofficial anthem:
Tubthumping by Chumbawamba would be a good basis

We'll be singing
When we're winning
We'll be singing

I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never going to keep me down

Pissing the night away
Pissing the night away

He drinks a whisky drink
He drinks a vodka drink
He drinks a lager drink
He drinks a cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him
Of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him
Of the better times:

'Oh Danny Boy
Danny Boy
Danny Boy...'

[johnnyk]

Be happy.
Some of us got stuck with O Canada which is about as inspiring as a lingering bout of constipation.
"La Marseillaise" when sung up tempo, now that's an anthem. Born in a revolution, "aux armes, citoyens!" is a great call to action and toss the bastards out.

[johnnyk]

[quote="sandman67"]I was watching the Hayes Klisko fight at the weekend (and what a great scrap it was) ....

How could that be? Tosser Hayes stubbed his frickin' toe and didn't fight.

[Arcadian]

Sandman, I`m surprised at you wanting "Land of hope and glory" as sung at the Last night of the proms. Surely the revellers are a bunch of royalist southern toffs.

[sandman67]

to tell you the truth Id forgotten about Land Of Hope And Glory.... again there are a few too many references to God for it to be comfort zone stuff with me. It was written by the astoundingly great Edward Elgar though....



I just like Rule Britannia as its a nice bit of history reminder about what made Britain Great, (our Navy), with the never slaves bit sort of sums up that blitz no surrender Churchillian spirit, and is God lite.

Anything is better than the dirge we have at the moment. GSTQ is just such a miserable sounding tune.

If you asked me for an archetypal bit of music that was "Britain in sound" I would nominate Nimrod by Elgar from his Enigma Variations....its so beautiful and so very very British. It sends shivers down my spine and prompts a sniffle or two of pride.

[Spitfire]

While we're on the slaves and the Royal Navy bit, then also worth remembering that it was the Royal navy that pretty much ended the slave trade, even if belatedly. Many Africans were complicit in it all too otherwise it would not have been possible to do to such an extent.

Ever wondered where the city of Freetown in Sierra Leone came into existence from? That's the place the Royal Navy released the Africans they intercepted on the slave ships en route to North America.

As an aside, I'll go for 'Rule Britannia' as well, lends itself to more musical variations than the others.

[richard]

While we're on the slaves and the Royal Navy bit, then also worth remembering that it was the Royal navy that pretty much ended the slave trade, even if belatedly. Many Africans were complicit in it all too otherwise it would not have been possible to do to such an extent.

Ever wondered where the city of Freetown in Sierra Leone came into existence from? That's the place the Royal Navy released the Africans they intercepted on the slave ships en route to North America.

As an aside, I'll go for 'Rule Britannia' as well, lends itself to more musical variations than the others.

Well Will Wilberforce went to my school for a spell

Anyway as a TYKE (Gods own county) I'd go for On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at

Sorry heathens from the north, brick throwers from the west, . vikings from the east and the poofters from the south. (love you all really)

PS.....I'm a Polish Jew really


,

[Pagey]

Quote Richard : Well Will Wilberforce went to my school for a spell


Was he in your class Rich ?

[bcrglobal]

Might I suggest "Those were the days" as it's an accurate reflection on what makes most Brits proud--the past

[Jimbob]

Might I suggest "Those were the days" as it's an accurate reflection on what makes most Brits proud--the past

Sung by Mary hopkins based on a Russian Gypsy song. yes very multicutlral
Prefer same name song by Cream, a bit of balls to the music.