To not want ds singing the bloody national anthem every day at school?

[lecce]

I am reeling about this and would love some opinions.

Last night the dc and I were taking it turns to play songs on Youtube, when ds1 (7, Yr 3) announced he wanted 'Land of Hope and Glory' for his next choice . I was stunned - I didn't even know he'd heard of it. In the interrogation that followed, it transpired that his class has been singing 'God Save the Queen' every day before home time. It has no relation to their current topic, which is India, of all things... Mention has been made of 'loving our country' and that, as 'we are English' we should know these lyrics.

On Friday, those who had completed their art work early were given the lyrics of 'Land of...' (not ds - never have I been so happy about his lack of artistic talent) but, apparently, they will all be 'doing' it soon.

I absolutely do not want my children singing these nationalistic, jingoistic lyrics every day. I don't want the school promoting this kind of cheap patriotism to them, either. This is not what education is about.

Is this Gove's fault? I am a teacher (sec) and have heard nothing about this particular type of brainwashing. AIBU to kick up a stink about this?

All these fancy words, what's wrong with good old fashioned penis?

I've grown quite fond of mine since it appeared suddenly yesterday after I wrote the word fuckwit on the internet

I stroke mine while I'm writing newer and ever more patriotic versions of the national anthem and LOHAG. I like to think that the line 'Make thee mightier yet' was all about him. Yes, him. Little Kevin.

Well, still I'm no clearer on what patriotism is. Other than some posters feel that those of us who don't have it don't deserve to live here, despite being functional, thoughtful and respectful members of society.

I think many posters on this thread don't understand the difference between pride and gratitude.

I'm grateful to have been born British, I understand the massive privilege that it bestows. But pride? No.

Qtpie that's not really an answer - what do you MEAN? I mean what have you deduced from this thread - I'm interested and you are frustrating me

Just before I get my cocoa & slippers....I know we are all a bunch of written words on here but we can't forget that we still are people and are dealing with people. Would we not just rather talk to each other like we would if we had just met out somewhere? Maybe you do talk like that I suppose - I did say I was too much of a wimp for this! It really isn't that much fun however to say mean things. People are meant to make Britain great, hold each other up, nevermind some anachronistic unmeritorious institution.

I think quite a lot of athletes think seriously about patriotism, and under what flags they will stand/ anthems will play should they win a medal. The discussion that has gone on for example around which country Rory McIlroy will play for when golf comes into the Olympics springs to mind.

There's a huge difference between singing the national anthem at an moment of celebration or triumph and singing it routinely every day at school.

Agentcooper

I take it you mean this verse:

Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
Let him sedition hush
And like a torrent rush
Rebellious Scots to crush
God save the King.

A pedant would point out that it only applied to Scottish rebels, not all Scots. A better objection is that it actually never has been part of the national anthem any more than this:

God bless the prince, I pray,
God bless the prince, I pray,
Charlie I mean.
That Scotland we may see
Freed from vile Presbytry,
Both George and his Feckie,
Ever so, Amen.

The tune was a popular one at the time (1745 and thereabouts), and all sorts of verses were fitted to it. Needless to say, the idea of a "national anthem" (a rather silly idea) only came later. I'd be interested in knowing what a "feckie" is. Is it Scots for "fucker"?

Anyway, the idea that the anthem contains (or used to contain) an anti-Scottish verse is no more true than the idea that the flag of the UK cannot correctly be called the "Union Jack" unless it is flown from a ship.

Feckie referred to George's son Frederick, Prince of Wales.

My dd is races competitively at a sport and was day dreaming about getting to the Olympics . She then panicked about the national anthem.
She decided she would neither sing nor stand for it . She's 15 and has a mind of her own .
Op (if you're still here amid the entertainment ) it doesn't matter if the school wants to do this -because you are there to encourage freedom of thought and to educate your kids about why this is so wrong.
School is a very small part of their lives you are far more relevant.

I'm baffled at the strength of feeling on here, not least because singing the national anthem every day has never been a part of the British schooling experience - not even, I think, at the height of the British Empire in the late 19th century. Why do people suddenly feel so passionately that this is a desirable thing? Why are they so angry at those who don't feel it's a good thing?

This kind of patriotism - being taught to repeat daily how wonderful our country is and how we owe the Powers that Be our allegiance - is yet another attempt at keeping the mass of the population firmly in its place. That is - we shut up and keep on working for low pay (if we're lucky) and doing what we're told under close surveillance, and those in power - AKA the wealthy - continue to rake it in. No strikes, protests, votes for a party that might make significant changes, etc.
There are a lot of people on Mumsnet who seem to think that there is some God given rule in force in the UK - that we should all shut up and put up. Or, on this thread, shut up, put up and sing about how proud we are to be allowed to do so. HANDS OFF OUR CHILDREN.

There are very few schools which require it to be sung every day. It would be hard to impose on most teenagers many of whom want the monarchy over thrown. My only point is everyone ought to know it and it be part of the primary school experience that you learn it along with all those other traditional English hymns and a good bi t of classical music and English folk tunes. I think we need a lot more music in primary schools and singing is the part of music which is totally free of charge so ought to be able to be done as well as in the fee paying prep schools I've paid for.

Tbh hackmum, I agree. It is so unusual that I can only think it is part of a project.
I have never worked in a school where this is done. I doubt the children in my class even know the tune never mind the words. Am not a teacher but this sounds very odd as just a daily ritual.

I agree with the OP that it must be to do with the new "teach British values" addition to the curriculum.
Let's start off by reminding everyone of the famous British values of welcoming immigrants and their foreign ways, respecting those of other religions and none, caring for the disadvantaged, etc etc.

But why should everyone know the words to the national anthem? I really don't see how this I proves their life in any way, or affords them any opportunities, or anything. Whether you know the words to God save the queen or not makes no difference to your life. It's just a waste if everyone's time to teach it in schools.

If people feel strongly that their children ought to know it, they are perfectly welcome to teach them the words themselves. And if they think daily singing of the national anthem is a great idea, there's nothing to stop them having a good old sing before sitting down to tea, or before bed.

Knowing the national anthem is just general knowledge. Part of being an educated person. So that, if you are in circumstances which require it,you don't look like a tit.

However, daily at school is not a circumstance which requires it.

I'm going to have to talk to ds about the lyrics as well - don't want to have him singing merrily away about our borders being 'wider still and wider', or whatever it is, without a thought to what he is saying.

Are you for REAL?

I feel so sorry for children at the moment. There are a lot of mothers who, instead of letting them be children and enjoying their childhood have to dissect and overthink every single thing that is said or sung.

It's sad.

This is the full, original version.
Those of a sensitive nature may want to avert their eyes.
it might give you nightmares

1. God save our gracious Queen,

Long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us; God save the Queen!

1. O Lord our God arise,

Scatter her enemies And make them fall; Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On Thee our hopes we fix, God save us all!

1. Thy choicest gifts in store

On her be pleased to pour; Long may she reign; May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice, God save the Queen!

1. 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.

1. 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!

1. 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!

thanks ... it's already been posted ...twice - but thanks

My pleasure.

And if they think daily singing of the national anthem is a great idea, there's nothing to stop them having a good old sing before sitting down to tea, or before bed.

Of course, there was a time, before the BBC was overrun with poovery and PC nonsense, that every man jack in the country would stand and salute, salute I tell you, the television screen at shut-down when the national anthem was played. Oh for a return to those glorious days, instead of shopping channels which are probably all run by Muslims anyway.