calls for Our National Anthem to be changed

[flipnflap]

On ITV's TELETEXT today, I see a news story with former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith saying that some of the words of Britain's national anthem are 'not inclusive' and might need replacing. Apparently Goldsmith reckons 'strong feelings about national symbols have to be taken into account'.

What is it with this nation - why do we let so many foreigners in and then change our ways and traditions to suit them, rather than making them accept ours? Can this trend be reversed, or is it too late? What chance do you think of other nations (like Pakistan, India or Sudan, for example) changing their ways and traditions to suit any Brits living there?

[flipnflap]

Sp, you said 'without looking it up on Google'. I didn't. I used Yahoo!

[Gromit]

flipnflap,

Here are the verses you didn't know. I didn't google these either, and I typed them all myself from memory...

"Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world over.

From every latent foe,
From the assassins blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!

Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
And like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush.
God save the Queen!"

[jno]

neat bit of detection there, Watson, I mean sp1814. So the answer is: No, flipnflap doesn't know his own national anthem. But he blames the schoolteachers...

[sp1814]

Gromit

Where are those three verses from?

I thought there were only three verses, not six???

Anyway, the point is - many people don't know the national anthem past the first verse.

Remember when John Redwood embarrassed himself when he was secretary of state for Wales (mumbling along to the anthem which he obviously didn't know)...well a lot of us would be in exactly the same position if we were called on to sing our own national anthem past verse one.

[Lucy Thomas]

Here is your post, flipnflap.

LUCY THOMAS, THE FACT THAT FOOTBALLERS DON'T ALL SING IT MAY JUST BE BECAUSE THEY'VE NEVER HAD TO LEARN IT NOR WANTED TO. AND WHY SHOULD THEY? IT'S NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS

So that's EXACTLY what you've said.

You are correct though in saying that most footballers are not the brightest but that is not stated in this answer so my reply was correct.

[Gromit]

sp1814

The full version has six verses. usually only the first verse is sung, and only occasionally three. The fourth, fifth and six verses are seldom sung, but it is the sixth, with its line about crushing rebellious scots which is the cause of the anthem being judged offensive.

There are other unofficial, alternative and commemorative verses.

[Supernick]

Delightful detective work sp. I nearly choked on my advent calendar.

So in short, a little known verse in the national anthem that 99% of people weren't even aware of let alone sing along to is used to whip up a bit of immigrant mistrust? Tut tut.

I'm surprised this isn't sung in local derbies between England and Scotland. Bet it would go down a treat in the stands.

[brionon]

Nobody finds it odd that we sing about the Queen,our Police and armed forces plead allegience to the queen,with no mention of the people or the Country.

[cambus]

flipnflat caught cheating again! Tut tut.

[sp1814]

Years of watching Miss Marple and Poirot on a Sunday evening have suddenly paid off.

If any of you find your local vicar poisoned or a body in your library, I'm yer man.

[B00]

I'm with Billy Connolly- I think we should change our national anthem to the theme tune from The Archers- now that's rousing stuff!

[Pippa68]

I prefer Jeruslalem.

However that is more suited to England than Great Britain as a whole.

Can we have that when an English sportsperson/team win a medal...pretty please?

[jno]

oh dear, Pippa, can you imagine the crowds mumbling two lines of 'swing low sweet chariots of fire...' before falling silent

[THECORBYLOON]

I was asked to leave the hall at wir local Royal British Legion when I refused to stand for God Save The Queen.

[jno]

better stick with the Anti-Royal British Legion in future, TCL

[Panic Button]

Land Of Health And Safety

[Lucy Thomas]

Therein lies the problem. Let's have an anthem that we can all sing, all be proud enough to stand for and all agree with the sentiments expressed.

[perigra]

I think that the French national anthem is much more catchy than ours! Can't we use that one instead?

[Kidd72]

I agree with B00 and Billy on this this one. don't get me wrong I love it when the crowd at footie games sings our national anthem but if it was the theme from the archers then maybe the England lads might be there next summer.