To wish we had a different national anthem

[katmeouws]

Just listening to The Marseillaise, which I much prefer to "God Save the King". Cant we have something more appropriate to a 21st century democracy.

I like the royals but I have to agree with you. Ours is the most unbelievably boring tune, it's painful. It's so slow!
I wish it was something like Jerusalem or I vow to thee my country.

I think a new one could be disastrous. It would probably date easily, and be impossible to decide on as there are zillions of different musical tastes.

For now, at least, the monarch is head of the established Church, so I don't think it's unreasonable for the anthem to give a nod to this.

I disagree. I think ours is one of the best, if not the best. I haven't heard every country's national anthem but most are boring in comparison to God save the king. I get so emotional just listening/singing to it.

I just want it to be about the Queen again. It could be like wishing her well in the afterlife. Why won’t Charles announce it in memory of her?

Totally agree about the absolute dirge that is GSTK.

My suggestion: one of the fabulous, rousing and iconic tunes that have been mentioned already (Jerusalem / LoH&G, Rule Britannia, I Vow to Thee... etc) but with new lyrics that better reflect the country today?

Totally agree about the absolute dirge that is GSTK.

My suggestion: one of the fabulous, rousing and iconic tunes that have been mentioned already (Jerusalem / LoH&G, Rule Britannia, I Vow to Thee... etc) but with new lyrics that better reflect the country today?

See, my suggestion is so good my phone decided to post it twice

I like both the Norwegian and Danish national anthems

Norwegian
Yes, we love this country
as it rises forth,
rugged, weathered, over the water,
with the thousands of homes, —
love, love it and think
of our father and mother
and the saga-night that lays
dreams upon our earth.

Danish
There’s a beautiful country
It stands with wide beeches
Near the salty eastern beaches
Near the salty eastern beaches
It bays in the back and valley
It’s called Old Denmark
And it it Freya’s hall

Ending with
Our old Denmark will endure
as long as the beech-tree mirrors
its treetop in the blue waves
its treetop in the blue waves

We could do like the Danish and have 2. One for the royalty and one normal one (the Danish royal one is. King Christian stood by the tall mast in smoke and damp..

My votes for "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" - brings a tear to my eye every time I watch the rugby!

Failing that Jerusalem will do...

That being said, as a Brit who has lived overseas for 15 years, whenever I hear the national anthem, I get a lump in my throat and a hitch in my chest.

I could barely muster my way through it during the Queens funeral 🥺

Another vote for tubthumping here.

I vote for eye of the tiger

Ours is an utterly uninspiring dirge. I vote for "I Vow to Thee My Country" although I love "Jerusalem" too. Not the boring crap we have.

I hate all national anthems, flags, mottos etc and any sign of patriotism. It's all so jingoistic.

I live in Scotland at the moment and people love a flag there. I am not a fan.

I'm Irish, I love ours. Used to sing it to my daughter to try and make her sleep!

The UK one should be the Benny Hill Show theme music.

Jerusalem is better.

Yes. Ours is so.... It's just not a positive song or music.

I love Jerusalem as it has very uplifting music and words

alwaysmovingforward Eye of the Tiger has a great melody, I agree.

LikeTearsinRain but the national anthem should be about the nation, not about the current monarch. If by chance Andrew had become king, would you still be happy to sing about him being gracious and noble? Charles has proved himself to be a grumpy old bugger who at times treats his staff badly. I wouldn't sing about him being gracious either.

I like the lyrics of the Danish and Norwegian ones posted above.

Fab. It helps that the Welsh can sing

The Scottish anthem is the worst - a wailing dirge about fighting the English under Edward ?1st - perfect for those whingeing nationalists but depressing for the rest. Billy connelly suggested the Archers theme tune for the UK.

The thing is, if you're ruling out lyrics on god/God, the King, duty, service, pride, victory and freedom it all gets a bit pointless and will end up like a primary school assembly song.

yes, it probably could be changed but as anthems go it is indeed a standout, just like the Marseillaise. The Scottish one needs more power. The Russian anthem is powerful (disclaimer now, this does not reflect any political feelings, just as anthems go). The irish anthem is very strong but they have and had better songs. How these anthems get changed is the question.

Jerusalem as an alternative wouldn’t work at all - it’s all about England.