General Chat

forgive me for being dense, but why would Land of Hope and Glory not be suitable for the Scots, Welsh and Irish - does it specifically mention England ?

As a Scot I'm unsure what the 'Scottish' anthem is. Some say it is Scotland the Brave others Flower of Scotland. Many people complain about the national anthem 'God save the Queen' having a relatively unknown verse which is anti Scottish but then the same people want Flower of Scotland, which is pretty much anti English. Personally I would be happy for the whole of Britain to vote on a national anthem that would keep all four nations happy. As for a Scottish anthem nowt beats Burns' A Mans a Man For A' That!

Sarah, Land of Hope and Glory IS the current English national anthem.

I would keep the flag and ditch the national anthem and take a vote on the new national anthem better than voting for politicians anyway

LEEK ? A DRAGON OR DAFFODIL I THINK. I LOVE THE WELSH NATIONAL ANTHEM BEING A WELSH PERSON. BUT I AGREE LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE CURRENT ENGLISH ANTHEM SARAH

I would vote for retaining both. I agree the National Anthem usualy sounds dull, but I heard it played by a miltary band and in the proper setting it is wonderful. Bob

I would like to see I vow to thee my Country as National Anthem Liz

Marjorie, When you consider all the great songs/tunes they have for other countries ours is so boring. Perhaps if we had a livlier one more people would be happy to sing it. We definitely need something with a bit of meaning to show we're proud of our country and to show we are not going to just roll over and die. No offence meant to anyone.

The United Kingdom is not A country, it is four countries. For this reason both Land of Hope and Glory, and I Vow to Thee My Country would be ineligible. As would Jerusalem and a few more of the "jingoistic" songs. Why not keep the present National Anthem, and just change the verse we sing? For example there is a little known verse of one version;- O Lord our God arise, Scatter our enemies, and make them fail; Confound their politics, Frustrate their Knavish tricks; On thee our hopes we fix: God save us all. Or how about the verse added by W E Hickson (1803-70) Not on this land alone, But be God's mercy known From shore to shore: Lord, make the nations see That men should Brothers be, And form one family The wide world o'er.

Each UK country has two anthems. Land of Hope and Glory is the English national anthem. God Save the Queen is the British anthem. Imagine if LOHAG became the British one - how long would it take the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish to complain?

Keep the flag, stuff the anthem! If you ever visit Gettysberg in the USA, the Union Jack outside the battlefield visitors' centre looks a bit odd - until you realise that it doesn't include St Patrick's cross. Must have been an older flag of the colonial era. The Americans love it, something to do with their relative lack of history, perhaps? (Sorry, buddies across the pond, couldn't resist that one!) Like all the others, let's ditch the present royal dirge. Not bothered too much about the replacement, provided it's got a swing to it!

Yes Sheila, it is a dragon, but not an old one though. M.

Yes Michael I think a 'Dragon' would look quite nice on it

I don't think a leek would look very nice on the Union Jack. A thistle or shamrock yes, but a leek. How on earth did the Welsh have this to represent their country? I've never heard why, so maybe tonight I'll learn.

One thing that is wrong with the Union Flag is that it does not include Wales and for that reason alone it should be adapted, if not changed altogether.

Stick with the Union Flag, but change the anthem to: Land of Hope and Glory. Barry

Land of Hope and Glory - guaranteed to inspire and move all who hear and sing it - not like our current dreary dirge! Maz. XX

Hear Hear Elaine. Sandra

No, the Dutch flag doesn't have orange in it. We do have an additional orange addition, an orange penant, which is only to be flown with the Dutch flag on certain occasions. Forgotten when, will ask my husband when he has had his forty-winks after dinner. Otherwise you are forbidden to fly the orange penant.

It would have to be a flag with all the pictures of things that are deemed not politicly correct, with a great big cross through it. The words can be inscribed " Not Allowed To Do S*d All " Only joking! I love our union Flag, It IS Our country ! Elaine x