[Archived] English National Anthem

[jim mk2]

Now then, MPs agreed today to introduce a bill on whether or not England should have its own national anthem.

The hymn “Jerusalem” is widely considered to be the frontrunner if parliament does go ahead with the idea.

My favourite though is Land of Hope and Glory.

Any thoughts ?

[AlanK]

I agree with you Jim. I would have Land of Hope and Glory as well. It would be nice to have our own identity like the other home nations

[yoda]

Tough call between those two, pity the Dam Busters doesn't have any words

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Anything would be an improvement.

[K-Hod]

Agree with Jim 'land of hope and glory' would be my choice if we were to change.

[Husky]

What's up? Is the Queen ill? Need to change that song before she pops her clogs???

Our national anthem is awful....but so is that damned Jerusalem song.

Though a change is long overdue.

[Tom]

Either would do me both set the pulse racing.

[Amo]

Vindaloo.

[yoda]

How long before someone says it would be racist

[Husky]

How long before someone says it would be racist

The Queen?

Most probably.

[yoda]

The Queen?

Most probably.

There's a list of usual suspects before the head of state

[K-Hod]

How long before someone says it would be racist

What would potentially be racist?

[yoda]

What would potentially be racist?

I don't think anything about it is.

In the recent past it has been frowned upon to display English nationalism from some quarters though

[K-Hod]

Ah right, I'm with you. Nowt wrong with national pride (not just during international sporting events).

[ABBEY]

the one that sums us up

macc lads ...beer,sex ,chips n gravy

[DE.]

[Baz]

We should go for something to celebrate our heritage of great music, and have something by The Beatles / Stones / Queen / Bowie or similar.

[Mike E]

I definitely agree it needs changing. But in terms of 'being more English', I don't think you can get more English than 'rebellious Scots to crush'.

I vote for something a bit daft: Vindaloo, like Am'o

[VinjayV4]

Anything would be better than the current anthem. Sod the bloody Queen...viva la republic!

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

I Vow To Thee My Country would get my vote. The lyrics are perfect for a national anthem and the tune is pretty good too.

I'm pro Royal Family in ceremonial terms but they long since ceased to act as any form of governance so declaring allegiance to them does seem very outdated.

[jim mk2]

I Vow to Thee my Country is a good shout. Problem is most people don't know the words beyond the first line.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

True but I'd say most people don't know the words to Jerusalem or Land of Hope and Glory either. The Wembley crowd did an almost passable job of learning La Marseillaise after the Paris attacks so you'd think people could manage to learn a song in English.

Whether anyone would be motivated to is another matter. The national anthem only gets sung by fans at football and rugby as far as I'm aware and I'd say singing it at football is on the wane, decades of underperforming from England at football seems to have knocked most of the passion out of England fans.

[donnermeat]

I vow to thee, when done right, makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

[speeeeeeedie]

I Vow to Thee my Country is a good shout. Problem is most people don't know the words beyond the first line.

That one didn't ring a bell so I looked it up. The first hit on Youtube was it being sung at Margaret Thatcher's funeral. I'm surprised that you nominated it.

[T J Hooker]

Why does it seem to have to be some stuffy old tune!

I thinj it should be somat by the Beatles(or maybe dont look back in anger would be more appropriate)

Edit. Ive just seen baz's post further back, spot on