Why doesn't England have a National Anthem?

[itwontletmechoose]

It's frustrating to hear them sing the 'God Save the King' British national anthem. Why doesn't England have its own national anthem instead of singing one which covers all of the union (in theory)?

Why would you give Northern Ireland to Scotland instead of the already Independent country its literally joined to and shares a part of its name with?

I was joking. I am not sure the ROI wants them either.

Nope. Can’t imagine anything duller.

And I never knew....well, in that case I agree with @Putting and others that the English National Anthem should be "Always look on the bright side of Life" te-dum, tum-de-da-de-te-dum.

Rather like suggesting 'ave a cup o' tea and a snort of brandy, but then when you're pelted with accusations of mental and cultural intolerance just because you've got pale skin and are born in England, you may as well go along with at least the irony that comes with the 'culture'... apparently the English Flag is considered offensive and symbolic of 'racism'; all that 'colonialism' dontcha know, whilst conveniently forgetting the many other countries who did 'colonialism' and still do.

Crucifixation? - in that queue my ol' chum.

Yeah the "Scotland didn't colonise or participate in the British empire" rubbish that I have read on FB by some individuals who don't know their history has made me laugh.

God save the King is awful. We have the worst national anthem in the world. I have to leave the room when they play it before a match. Everything about it makes me wince. The lyrics make us sound like a bunch of medieval peasants, and the tune is so dreary it’s painful. We ought to have Jerusalem or Land of Hope and Glory instead.

Why do you want a song about spiritual alchemy as as the national anthem- misappropriation of Blake’s beautiful words would certainly make me leave the room (and probably leave Blake turning in his grave)

Would most English people prefer Scotland and Wales to be indie and NI to become part of the Rep Ireland ?

Prefer the union.

You stole sweet Caroline from the northern Ireland fans. They were furious yous have tried to claim it as your anthem as they have made it iconic for years

I'm from ROI and would not vote for a united Ireland. I think its fantastic that they have achieved the peace they have in NI and I wouldn't want anything to jeprodise that.
However I know lots of people don't agree with me and an have an idealistic view of a united Ireland. Looking at demographics it is very likely to happen in the future though.

I’d prefer us to remain in the Union with Scotland and Wales because without wishing to be cheesy, we’re better together. I’m all for greater devolution though.

Northern Ireland is a little different. I do tend to think Ireland should be united if the people on both sides of the border want that to happen.

The England team did sing today but it's a very recent thing, hardly any of them used to. I think I heard they were told (not sure who by) to learn the words.

I think I would like Scotland and Wales to be united as a country together, but think the island of Ireland should be united. I think they should have ' devomax' and we should have more of a federal system. Someone said the Lords should be some kind of assembly for the regions. Culturally and historically it's difficult to hold the UK together as one happy union. It's held together by economic reality more than a sense of nation hood I feel.

I vote for Bohemian Rhapsody

I vote for Nimrod from the Enigma Variations, all 3 minutes of it.

I thought our unofficial anthem was Mr Brightside.

The "others" don't give a fuck about your coat tails. Or your team. Actually, many millions of people actively want them to lose ASAP in every tournament they play in.

I could definitely get behind that!

It's a myth that this verse was ever part of the British national anthem.

It was sung around 1745, well before national anthems were a thing, probably by southerners who felt threatened by the fact of an army of Highlanders bearing down on them.

Like a huge number of English-born people, my ancestry is mixed enough for me to think that splitting up the island on historical boundaries is anachronistic.

As for Northern Ireland, that's for them to decide, both communities are entitled to respect, but I'm not the least bit surprised the Unionists never wanted a bar of a united Ireland. I suspect that's softening now though.

English settlers went to Fermanagh, Armagh and areas further south, lowland Scots more to Antrim and Down is my understanding.

Almost all national anthems are dismal ghastly dirges. I think the USA are the only country who have a good one. And they borrowed the tune from an English drinking song.

I would just get rid of them all. The proper way to begin a sports match is a polite round of applause and some cheering.

Your “Spanish friends” aren’t very Spanish then…