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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think our national anthem is shit

124 replies

Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 31/03/2018 22:51

Just watching the Anthony Joshua fight and he's fighting someone from New Zealand.
Their national anthem is mightily long. However, ours is just awful imo
I'm neither a royalist nor anti. Indifferent.

I just think our national anthem could be so much better!

OP posts:
SingaSong12 · 01/04/2018 00:37

I'm English and I think GSTQ is a dirge. Only time I've ever felt it meant anything was singing at Festival of Remembrance. The Queen was there and a lot of the armed forces personnel really take to heart the vow to defend Queen (symbolises the people and country)

Know and like India, New Zealand Samoa, Tonga and Scotland (through singing in choir for rugby) Also like France as it is rousing.

England should have a separate anthem and ideally change U.K. one as well, but not sure to what. At least maybe someone could try to come up with a new tune for GSTQ.

AngeloMysterioso · 01/04/2018 01:19

I thought GTSQ was the GB anthem, and LoH&G was the English anthem? No?

llangennith · 01/04/2018 01:58

GSTQ is the British and English anthem. I’m all for the monarchy but I don’t think an anthem should be all about the Queen. Land of Hope and Glory would be a much more appropriate and rousing anthem for England.
I’m Welsh and love our anthemSmile

PennyPIckle · 01/04/2018 02:30

I love the Scottish, Irish and Welsh National Anthems. Who is the "our" national anthem you speak of?

worstwitch18 · 01/04/2018 02:32

As a Kiwi I'm shocked you thought God Defend New Zealand was better!

I love your national anthem.

worstwitch18 · 01/04/2018 02:33

Assuming you meant God Save the Queen btw

madfootyfan22 · 01/04/2018 02:36

No they play God Save the Queen for England as well. It’s shit and lasts about 10 seconds

MadMags · 01/04/2018 02:38

Yeah, your one is shit.

Ours (Irish) is brilliant. Not sure why it’s getting lumped in with Scotland and Wales though! 🤔

DarkPeakScouter · 01/04/2018 02:44

I like the Maori version of the NZ national anthem

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 01/04/2018 03:02

I think we should adopt something from the Greatest Showman.

It would certainly be rousing and get people doing jazz hands.

Clunj · 01/04/2018 03:05

GSTQ is terrible.

Hen Wlad fy Nhadau is one of the best anthems around.

Toadinthehole · 01/04/2018 06:53

There is no anti-Scottish verse in GSTQ. That's a myth. By contrast, there is an anti-English* verse in that total dirge Flower of Scotland.

There's nothing wrong with GSTQ. It's great when thumped out by a brass band with a stadium behind it. The problem is that British people no longer sing.

BollySBK · 01/04/2018 07:20

'I vow to thee my country' fits better. It has religious overtones but the words are so stirring and thoughtful, that one could just 'fit' them to one's own beloved country, whichever it was.

SaucyJane · 01/04/2018 07:21

If we had a poll to replace it, I reckon "land of hope and glory" would win.

Isetan · 01/04/2018 07:44

National anthems are in general not that great they are a product of the prevailing a mentality at the time of composition. However, in comparison to some others ours could be a lot worse, the Dutch bang on about being of German blood for Christ’s sake.

isittheholidaysyet · 01/04/2018 07:50

Much as I love her Maj...

England needs it's own anthem.
My vote goes to Land of hope and glory.

SerenDippitty · 01/04/2018 07:55

I am Welsh so no prizes for guesssing what my favourite anthem is but I also like the Russian one, great tune. Love the Italian one too it’s like a very short opera.

Bluetoo1 · 01/04/2018 07:57

Th Scottish national anthem is worse, a real whingeing dirge, mind you maybe they do reflect the character of the people 😬, I’m Scottish btw.

paniconthestreetsofdreams · 01/04/2018 07:57

There is no anti-Scottish verse in GSTQ. That's a myth. By contrast, there is an anti-English verse in that total dirge Flower of Scotland.*

There actually is. It's verse 6 and talks about crushing 'rebellious Scots'

Dirge? The anti-English bit is the best bit! 😀

claraschu · 01/04/2018 08:01

I love your national anthem. The tune is dignified, symmetrical, easy to sing, and lovely. The words are funny, especially the bit where you subtly threaten the queen in a passive aggressive way about how she had better behave herself or you will get rid of her. VERY English!

I am American, and writhe with pain at the sound of our obnoxious, boastful, belligerent, always-out-of-tune, national anthem.

dotdotdotmustdash · 01/04/2018 08:02

I vote for 'Highland Cathedral' for the Scots.

Toyboysrus · 01/04/2018 08:07

YANBU. Land of Hope and Glory or Rule Britannia for me for a British anthem. For an English anthem I would have There'll Always Be An England.

AsAProfessionalFekko · 01/04/2018 08:08

Scotland the brave - a tune you can dance to.

SuperBeagle · 01/04/2018 08:13

God Save the Queen is awful.

Glad Australia ditched it, but less glad that Advance Australia Fair won out over Waltzing Matilda when it was chosen. Fingers crossed for a new referendum on that one day!

fuckingjournocunts · 01/04/2018 08:14

I like ours. My grandad would get up and salute whenever he heard it. God rest his soul.