I like Jerusalem for England. Like Rule Britannia but Land of Hope and Glory beats everything in raising the roof stadium singalongs. But I expect we'll be jingoistic fascists for thinking national anthems are a good idea.
LOHAG good call Imo it shoudk be an inclusive and rousing tune and sing, that gets everyone belting it out and have a bit of heat (pride) swell in their chest
And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England's mountain green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England's pleasant pastures seen? And did the countenance divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among those dark satanic mills? Bring me my bow of burning gold! Bring me my arrows of desire! Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem In England's green and pleasant land. Although some I'm sure would object to it being a hymn
Rule Britannia When Britain first, at Heaven's command Arose from out the azure main; Arose from out the azure main; This was the charter, the charter of the land, And guardian angels sang this strain: CHO: Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the waves Britons never, never, never shall be slaves. The nations, not so blest as thee Must, in their turns to tyrants fall Must, in their turns to tyrants fall While thou shalt flourish, shalt flourish great and free The dread and envy of them all. Still more majestic shalt thou rise More dreadful from each foreign stroke More dreadful from each foreign stroke As the loud blast, the blast that tears the skies Serves but to root thy native oak. Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame All their attempts to bend thee down All their attempts to bend thee down Will but arouse, arouse thy generous flame But work their woe, and thy renown. To thee belongs the rural reign Thy cities shall with commerce shine Thy cities shall with commerce shine All thine shall be, shall be the subject main And every shore it circles thine. The Muses, still with freedom found Shall to thy happy coast repair Shall to thy happy coast repair Blest isle with matchless, with matchless beauty crowned And manly hearts to guard the fair.
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 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 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 King
Cymraeg Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi Gwlad beirdd a chantorion enwogion o fri Ei gwrol ryfelwr, gwlad garwyr tra mad Tros ryddid collasant eu gwaed. Gwlad Gwlad, Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad, Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau English: Land of my Fathers, O land of the free, A land of poets and minstrels, famed men. Her brave warriors, patriots much blessed, It was for freedom that they lost their blood. Wales! Wales!, I am devoted to my country. So long as the sea is a wall to this fair beautiful land, May the ancient language remain.
Quite. Apart from being a religionist song, it's bonkers. It starts with four silly questions to which the answers are all "obviously not". Then it becomes even more incoherent and nonsensical. The bit about "my arrows of desire" always raises a smile. And it would be truly bizarre for a nation's national anthem to be named after a city in an entirely different country thousands of miles away.
