Page 10 | Why doesn't England have a National Anthem?

itwontletmechoose · 2024-07-14T18:59:08+00:00

It's frustrating to hear them sing the 'God Save the King' *British* national anthem. Why doesn't England have its own national anthem instead of singing one which covers all of the union (in theory)?

gotmyknickersinatwist · 14/07/2024 22:25

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

I firmly believe the vast majority of English people would happily lance NI like a boil on its bloated arse.

MrsClownland · 14/07/2024 22:25

AzureAnt · 14/07/2024 21:38

If the Scots the Welsh and the Northern Irish wish to leave the Union they should go ahead. I doubt the English would be crying too much about it

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You weren't around for the independence referendum then?

gotmyknickersinatwist · 14/07/2024 22:21

Cinocino · 14/07/2024 22:08

When did I suggest a majority identify as Northern Irish?

Probably when you said In NI they are Northern Irish.

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How on Earth does that suggest I was referring to a majority? You referred to 'fanatics' identifying as English. I suggested that no, they don't say they're English, they say they're British. No mention of majorities, numbers, percentages etc. Etc. Etc....

Tulipvase · 14/07/2024 22:18

Devonbabs · 14/07/2024 21:03

Ooh why ???

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because he completely agreed with you.

SisyphusDad · 14/07/2024 22:14

Another vote for Flanders and Swann. "The English, the English, the English are best. I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest!"

Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit · 14/07/2024 22:09

I very much enjoy David Bowies many anthem like songs also. Possibly not Space Oddity, Heros is great as is Starman.
I suspect an ABBA song would score very highly in a free vote, Waterloo might satisfy those who enjoy a bit of historical allusion. But Super Trouper is also very rousing.

Cinocino · 14/07/2024 22:08

gotmyknickersinatwist · 14/07/2024 22:01

When did I suggest a majority identify as Northern Irish?
To quote you 'fanatics no one cares about who think they are more English than the English'. This is hardly based in fact. I don't know any Northern Irish native who thinks of themselves as 'English'.
I'm from & live in N.I.
I know plenty who identify themselves as British. You said English, not British.
As for minorities, percentages etc., the 2021 census is readily available.

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When did I suggest a majority identify as Northern Irish?

Probably when you said In NI they are Northern Irish.

NeverEnoughPants · 14/07/2024 22:02

Needmorelego · 14/07/2024 20:11

At least we were singing - unlike that Spanish lot 🤣
(does the Spanish anthem not have words?)

It doesn't have official words.

gotmyknickersinatwist · 14/07/2024 22:01

Cinocino · 14/07/2024 21:47

@gotmyknickersinatwist In N.I. they are Northern Irish

Actually a minority of people in NI class themselves as Northern Irish.

When did I suggest a majority identify as Northern Irish?
To quote you 'fanatics no one cares about who think they are more English than the English'. This is hardly based in fact. I don't know any Northern Irish native who thinks of themselves as 'English'.
I'm from & live in N.I.
I know plenty who identify themselves as British. You said English, not British.
As for minorities, percentages etc., the 2021 census is readily available.

Devonbabs · 14/07/2024 22:00

MargaretThursday · 14/07/2024 21:50

Let's leave Jerusalem. "And did those feet..?" Well, almost certainly no.

We could sing "There'll always be an England."
Although as Flanders and Swann pointed out, that doesn't say much, because there'll always be an North Pole (if some dangerous fool doesn't melt it)

So they did try and write their own. What about (Edited to say I was watching the football and didn't notice someone had already linked it!)

Edited

“Let's leave Jerusalem. "And did those feet..?" Well, almost certainly no.”

Well Blake took Milton advice and I would beg to differ! - although I’m very much against using Parry’s “Jerusalem” as a national anthem

Jeezitneverends · 14/07/2024 21:59

ClevererThanMost · 14/07/2024 20:09

Or The Archers theme tune.

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Hi Billy Connolly 🤣

Clingfilm · 14/07/2024 21:58

Growing up in Wales GSTQ was never played, used or sung in any situation, it was only this year that I was in a situation where GSTK was played and I realised I'd never actually sung it so wasn't even sure of the words! It's very much an English anthem to my mind.

Euridicefortuna · 14/07/2024 21:56

Cinocino · 14/07/2024 21:42

@Euridicefortuna I'm a firm believer in English votes for English laws

Which non English votes ever dictate English laws??

England's tuition fees

Original poster

itwontletmechoose · 14/07/2024 21:56

Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit · 14/07/2024 21:55

It would cause so much trouble to pick an English Anthem, but there are so many awesome ballads to consider.
I've always loved Shirley Bassey belting out Diamonds are Forever, or History Repeating Itself. Of course Dame Shirley is Welsh so possibly not very tactful.
I saw Bananrama live a couple of times they had some marvellous songs that the audience all knew the words to. And those attractive gentlemen from Spandau Ballet have some excellent songs for singing along.
I saw the Weather Girls sing Its raining men at the Fridge in Brixton, that went down well with the crowd. Especially the young men.

Love love these ideas 😂

OP posts:

Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit · 14/07/2024 21:55

It would cause so much trouble to pick an English Anthem, but there are so many awesome ballads to consider.
I've always loved Shirley Bassey belting out Diamonds are Forever, or History Repeating Itself. Of course Dame Shirley is Welsh so possibly not very tactful.
I saw Bananrama live a couple of times they had some marvellous songs that the audience all knew the words to. And those attractive gentlemen from Spandau Ballet have some excellent songs for singing along.
I saw the Weather Girls sing Its raining men at the Fridge in Brixton, that went down well with the crowd. Especially the young men.

MargaretThursday · 14/07/2024 21:50

Let's leave Jerusalem. "And did those feet..?" Well, almost certainly no.

We could sing "There'll always be an England."
Although as Flanders and Swann pointed out, that doesn't say much, because there'll always be an North Pole (if some dangerous fool doesn't melt it)

So they did try and write their own. What about (Edited to say I was watching the football and didn't notice someone had already linked it!)

gotmyknickersinatwist · 14/07/2024 21:49

VesperLind · 14/07/2024 20:03

Wales and Scotland have their own anthems. England’s should be either Jerusalem or Land of Hope and Glory (I think LoH&G should actually be the UK anthem).

No thank you.

NannyGythaOgg · 14/07/2024 21:48

Itsallfunngamesuntil · 14/07/2024 20:42

That is an especially ignorant comment regarding Northern Ireland. The NI national anthem is God save the King.....a large portion of NI volunteered to fight in British wars ie there was no subscription

A large proportion of Northern Ireland is Unionist, and sees themselves as British and supports God Save the King. Are you suggesting that all of them are fanatics?

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There is a very understandable historical reason for that - but This isn't the place for that

Cinocino · 14/07/2024 21:47

@gotmyknickersinatwist In N.I. they are Northern Irish

Actually a minority of people in NI class themselves as Northern Irish.

Putting · 14/07/2024 21:47

Cinocino · 14/07/2024 21:42

@Euridicefortuna I'm a firm believer in English votes for English laws

Which non English votes ever dictate English laws??

Tuition fee increase for English students wouldn’t have passed without Scottish votes, for one…

IDontDrinkTea · 14/07/2024 21:45

If we could remove the racism from it, I do think Rule Britannia has quite a triumphant sounding tune.

Equally, just removing lyrics we now know are inappropriate doesn’t appreciate the struggles those people faced. So I’m not sure it’s the answer. But I do think the tune sounds victorious

gotmyknickersinatwist · 14/07/2024 21:45

Cinocino · 14/07/2024 20:22

Isn’t God Save essentially the English national anthem though? It’s not exactly popular in Scotland, Wales or NI (other than the fanatics no one cares about who think they are more English than the English).

They don't think they're English at all, not one iota. In N.I. they are Northern Irish. They have a firm grip on their Britishness though.

Lifeomars · 14/07/2024 21:45

Pulp's Common People would be great

Go down a treat when the Royals are there:

" You'll never live like common people
Never do whatever common people
Never fail like common people
Never watch your life slide out of view
And dance and drink and screw because there's nothing else to do"

Wintersgirl · 14/07/2024 21:43

StaringAtTheWater · 14/07/2024 20:11

I totally agree - it's really weird when say, England play Wales in football or rugby, and England sing an anthem which is meant to represent Wales as well.

I admit I might be biased though as I think 'God Save the King' is incredibly dreary.

When it's sung and played properly it's amazing, the best version was played at Charles & Dianas wedding, I think it sounds fab because the second verse is sung.

Cinocino · 14/07/2024 21:42

@Euridicefortuna I'm a firm believer in English votes for English laws

Which non English votes ever dictate English laws??