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Original poster

Why doesn't England have a National Anthem?

364 replies

itwontletmechoose · 14/07/2024 19:59

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)?

OP posts:
AzureAnt · 14/07/2024 20:44

Peakypolly · 14/07/2024 20:10

I think, despite not liking GStheK, we could use that for British events and individual songs for sports when we play as individual nations. I would choose Land of H&G.

Oh I don't think Land of Hope and Glory would do. We can't have the luvvies getting the vapours
Didn't they try and ban it from Last night of the Proms and got told to shove it right up their anal cavities?

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 14/07/2024 20:43

having Jerusalem which is the capital of a completely different country / countries is ludicrous

CommeUneVacheEspagnole · 14/07/2024 20:42

Needmorelego · 14/07/2024 20:11

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

I googled this as I noticed too. DH said it's because they're so serious but none of the Spanish they filmed did either.

The Spanish national anthem is called 'La Marcha Real' and was originally a military march. It was composed in 1761 by Manuel de Espinosa, and it was made a state anthem in 1770 before becoming the national anthem during Queen Isabella II's reign (1833-68). However, during General Francisco Franco's time in charge as dictator in the 20th century, lyrics were added and approved by Franco. But once he was removed from power, the lyrics were taken out of the national anthem because of their association with Franco.
Other lyrics have been considered, but due to the vast diversity of people within Spain, no one has actually attempted to include any of these into 'La Marcha Real' for fear of upsetting anyone. So the Spanish anthem is one of very few in the world along with the Bosnia, Kosovan and San Marino that doesn't have any words.

Itsallfunngamesuntil · 14/07/2024 20:42

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).

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?

DogInATent · 14/07/2024 20:42

Needmorelego · 14/07/2024 20:33

@DogInATent I'm not Spanish so I don't know their anthem.
The supporters sounded like they were singing something.

They usually la-la along, but there are several unofficial lyrics. There have been no official lyrics since the Franco-era.

I think the England fans are getting the hang of the anthem now, there were a distinct stutter in the singing the first couple of matches.. God save our glorious que..ing..

Original poster
itwontletmechoose · 14/07/2024 20:39

Not jumping on anyone's coat tails 😂🤪 trying to leap off them

Have watched 30 mins of tippy tap tap tap and off to write the English their own national anthem now so we can disassociate from this bore-a-thon 🇬🇧

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 14/07/2024 20:39

I think it should be Jerusalem that is sung.

Cinocino · 14/07/2024 20:38

@Livelovebehappy I think we should. It’s not fair for example to sing something tonight which encompasses England, Scotland, Wales, NI, when in fact it’s just the English team that got us there. It somehow feels the others have jumped on our coat-tails….

Lol.
Tell that to every Irish or Scottish athlete or actor who gets called British or English as soon as they are successful.

EdithWeston · 14/07/2024 20:36

Fizzyjuice · 14/07/2024 20:26

Surely at commonwealth games, the king is the monarch of most of the countries.

Show quote history

56 countries in the Commonwealth

Charles is king of 14 countries

A country does not have to have historical links to the former British Empire to be a Commonwealth member (2 member states do not)

Livelovebehappy · 14/07/2024 20:34

I think we should. It’s not fair for example to sing something tonight which encompasses England, Scotland, Wales, NI, when in fact it’s just the English team that got us there. It somehow feels the others have jumped on our coat-tails….

Needmorelego · 14/07/2024 20:33

@DogInATent I'm not Spanish so I don't know their anthem.
The supporters sounded like they were singing something.

parkrun500club · 14/07/2024 20:32

Don't even get me started. Prince William is at the match - he should say something.

Why the hell is the British national anthem used for the ENGLAND team?

This comes up at every championship and nothing changes.

Pebbles16 · 14/07/2024 20:32

I love Jerusalem (as a song, not a city) and think it is a good singalong like Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and https://www.flowerofscotland.org
We live in a highly complicated country! I love its diverse parts but it slightly melts the brain sometimes

Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hen_Wlad_Fy_Nhadau

Sidebeforeself · 14/07/2024 20:31

It’s either Hey Jude, sweet Caroline, 3 lions or Vindaloo isn’t it?

devildeepbluesea · 14/07/2024 20:30

As a Welsh person, trust me - it’s not our anthem! Even in the Limpix or other “UK” comps.

Im with a PP and Billy Connolly the Arxhdrs theme tune is favourite.

CrushingOnRubies · 14/07/2024 20:28

Surely at commonwealth games, the king is the monarch of most of the countries.

True but you can also be a republic but be part of the commonwealth

Anonymouseposter · 14/07/2024 20:28

Have you actually heard the words of Land Of Hope And Glory. (Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set etc.) Not ideal. Jerusalem might do.

Pebbles16 · 14/07/2024 20:27

Needmorelego · 14/07/2024 20:11

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

Yes it does and my Spanish friends are baffled

Fizzyjuice · 14/07/2024 20:26

CrushingOnRubies · 14/07/2024 20:13

At commonwealth games when England get a gold Jerusalem is played. Never understood why especially as when England football and rugby have God Save the King

Surely at commonwealth games, the king is the monarch of most of the countries.

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).

DogInATent · 14/07/2024 20:18

Needmorelego · 14/07/2024 20:11

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

The Spanish anthem has no words.
(did you not know this? 😂)

CrushingOnRubies · 14/07/2024 20:13

At commonwealth games when England get a gold Jerusalem is played. Never understood why especially as when England football and rugby have God Save the King

Luddite26 · 14/07/2024 20:12

I would pick bohemian rhapsody. I think that will come with the Republic! 😄

ClevererThanMost · 14/07/2024 20:11

Just confirmed with my Welsh teenage daughter that she doesn’t know GSTK. I consider that parenting done right.

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.