England should have its own national anthem, separate to the UK's God Save the Queen, just like Scotland and Wales do, and like Northern Ireland should.
Northern Ireland has three 'national anthems' and which one is used depends on the event. The official National Anthem is ?God Save the Queen?, usually played at state events because Northern Ireland is part of the UK.
The second one, ?Londonderry Air?, which is usually set to lyrics of ?Danny Boy?, is used as its anthem by the Northern Ireland team at the Commonwealth Games.
For Rugby events, especially when Northern Ireland players compete on the same team as players from the Republic of Ireland, a specially commissioned song has been adopted, ?Ireland?s Call?. The Republic of Ireland?s national anthem, "Amhrán na bhFiann", or in English, "The Soldiers Song", is also used at Dublin home matches as a courtesy to the host country.
The melody of "A Londonderry Air" is considered traditional. It was first published by Jane Ross of County Londonderry (known as County Derry by the Republic), in what is now Northern Ireland, which may explain the name. Various lyrics have been given to it, most famously the song "Danny Boy."
The tune was first called "Londonderry Air" in 1894 when Katherine Tynan Hinkson set the words of her "Irish Love Song" poem to the tune.
Original English lyrics to Londonderry Air
(set to the tune of Danny Boy)
Would God I were the tender apple blossom
That floats and falls from off the twisted bough
To lie and faint within your silken bosom
Within your silken bosom as that does now.
Or would I were a little burnish'd apple
For you to pluck me, gliding by so cold
While sun and shade your robe of lawn will dapple
Your robe of lawn, and your hair's spun gold.
Yea, would to God I were among the roses
That lean to kiss you as you float between
While on the lowest branch a bud uncloses
A bud uncloses, to touch you, queen.
Nay, since you will not love, would I were growing
A happy daisy, in the garden path
That so your silver foot might press me going
Might press me going even unto death.
Danny Boy lyrics to Londonderry Air
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.
And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.