General Chat

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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!

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 ?

Paul I don't know if your refering to what I have written, but actually I didn't say anything against Land of Hope and Glory. The only thing I would say is that if it were adopted as the National anthem then there are a lot of people up here would have to learn it as i don't personally know anyone who knows the words, only the tune!

A few people down here would have to learn the words too lol

Christine, no, a few lines up Marjorie said taht it would be "ineligible" because it's jingoistic ?!?!

Here's the lyrics, learn them well lol A. C. Benson 1862-1925 Dear Land of Hope, thy hope is crowned. God make thee mightier yet! On Sov'ran brows, beloved, renowned, Once more thy crown is set. Thine equal laws, by Freedom gained, Have ruled thee well and long; By Freedom gained, by Truth maintained, Thine Empire shall be strong. Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free, How shall we extol thee, Who are born of thee? Wider still and wider Shall thy bounds be set; |: God, who made thee mighty, Make thee mightier yet. :| Thy fame is ancient as the days, As Ocean large and wide: A pride that dares, and heeds not praise, A stern and silent pride: Not that false joy that dreams content With what our sires have won; The blood a hero sire hath spent Still nerves a hero son.

Sorry Paul. I promise I'll learn the words. lol

Sylvia, In answer to your question why would the Welsh chose a leek for an emblem? The leek has been recognised as the emblem of Wales since the middle of the 16th Century. It's association with Wales can be traced back to the battle of Heathfield in 633 AD. When St David persuaded his countrymen to distinguish themselves from their Saxon foes by wearing a leek in their caps.

Karin had the right idea, well originally it was said by Billy Connolly use the Archers theme tune. Easy to remember, lively tune can't wait to hear it being played at the olympics heh

The Union Jack is bright and attractive, small children always seem to be able to pick it out so it must be doing something right then!? Land of Hope and Glory we love and Jerusalem although perhaps it is the music as the words are ever so slightly fantasist/jingoistic - or perhaps that is what national anthems are supposed to be. Anyway Land of Hope and Glory whilst swaying the St Andrews Flag - Vive la Devolution! at our house!!!! Abigail

By the way my husband laughs at my very local grasp of geography and found a site for my little boy who was asking about where we were. I can't remember the exact site but there was a quiz about national flags - I got 0/10 for several goes until I memorised them out of sheer determination. How shaming! I think it was something to do with Ordnance Survey. Abigail

I am English. I don't mind being called a Brit becuse the Land of my forefathers was the Land of the Brits before ever they became "Great". I am not Scot, Welsh or Irish, and I am definitely NOT a European. My vote is for: 1) Land of Hope and Glory 2) I Vow to Thee my Country 3) Rule Britannia I have no Racial prejudices and it doesn't bother me to see other Cultures living side by side with mine, in fact if it were not for the Immigrants over the Milennia NONE OF US would be here. And we have such a wide diversity of knowledge, experiences and many good things which, in the melting pot, will enrich all of us. And why oh why do "The Powers that Be" Make me feel guilty about waving the cross of St George, just because a bunch of thugs have adopted it as a Racist Symbol. Time was when that sort of disrespect for the flag of one's Country could get you sent to jail.

Hear hear Jim, Pride is not the same as arrogance or superiority. Life is fascinating however it is lived. The only thing I abhor is suffering and I am entitled to try to alleviate that in any way I can. Also, what about "Ode to joy" although perhaps soothing, not stirring? Abigail