To think England has one of the worst National anthems in the world?

[1066vegan]

I was reading the thread about the neighbours who want to follow the much loved/greatly dreaded Thursday clap with a neighbourhood singalong.

The Welsh and Russian national anthems were both mentioned and it got me thinking. I really love the Welsh and French national anthems (I live in 1066 country now but was born in Wales to Welsh parents so when it come to rugby or national anthems I'll always assert my right to call myself Welsh 😊), the Russian anthem is pretty rousing and the South African anthem is also great.

But dear God, the English national anthem is terrible. The words are about sucking up to royalty rather than love for the country. The origin of the lyrics and the usually omitted verse about the Scots make them even worse. The tune is a complete dirge.

Surely not many countries can have a national anthem that's even worse than God Save the Queen.

Awful. God save our gracious Queen. She gives us margarine. God save the Queen. Uptown Funk would be way better.

Yes, but as a republican and an agnostic 'God Save the Queen' was never going to resonate much with me.

I think Billy Connolly got it right when he suggested the national anthem should be the theme tune to the Archers

What would you change it to? I'd champion oasis wonder wall, nice sing along

I agree 100%, @MigginsMs!

I like it. I like Flower of Scotland too

"Uptown Funk would be way better."

😂😂😂

I really like the French & Italian national anthems - no idea what the words are, but they "sound" cheerful.

I hate the Welsh one.

As others have said England does not have an anthem, it chooses to appropriate the British anthem, just as it's rugby supporters appropriate an Amercan slave hymn.

The UK doesn't have a "national anthem" by anything other than convention, so really it can be whatever the Monarch decrees. Or in the case of GSTQ doesn't decree .... Her Madge just inheriting the thing along with all the other clutter of Sovereignty - bling hats, big castles and the absolute obedience of her subjects.

Personally I like "Jerusalem" - mainly because the idea of a mystic nutters scribblings being sung by millions appeals to me. Also I know that Prince Charles is a massive Parry fan (to the extent of presenting a BBC documentary on him) so he'd be well within his rights to suggest it as a new Anthem when Liz shuffles of her mortal coil.

It would also be a great chance to mark the rediscovery of his grave after a 14 year search ...

Alternatively, we could always revert to the previous anthem of nation ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britons,_Strike_Home! which is even more dire than GSTQ ...

The Italian national anthem is like a sort of potted opera. I love it.

YANBU.

I love Italy's national anthem, and Uruguay's Wish we could have Land of Hope and Glory instead

I think we all know it should be Ladbroke Grove

Yo, it's the hyperman set
AJ Tracey, live and direct
DJ mash-up, them mash-up the deck
The microphone champ is live and direct,
and again
It's the hyperman set
AJ Tracey, live and direct
DJ mash up, them mash up the deck
The microphone champ is live and direct

@Amundah
I hate the Welsh one.

Why do you hate the Welsh anthemn?

I like the French anthem. I'd be happy for us to adopt the tune and just change the words - ideally not to include any references to the Queen or God.

Flower of Scotland is awful as well. I prefer Scotland the Brave

Oh god no! I can’t stand flower of Scotland either, but I can’t sing Scotland the Brave without singing the rude version. 🤣 Scots Wha Hae is far better.

How can anyone hate the Welsh anthem? 😯 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

We could replace "AJ Tracey" with Elizabeth Windsor" and "microphone champ" with Her Maj the Queen", if that helps?

God save the Queen is soooo boring I could fall asleep singing it...

@DGRossetti did you see the recent Blake exhibition at the Tate? A lot of his art was as weird as his writing.

"Uptown Funk would be way better."

Dancey I like it 💃🏾

When the Queen dies, I'd like I Vow to Thee My Country to become our national anthem.

Little known fact
The National anthem of Liechtenstein has the same melody as God Save The Queen

Agree it's a dirge
Also agree with whoever said it's all about the Queen and not the country/ people
All about beating the enemy rather than anything cheery as well, sort of warmongery.