Should England have its own national anthem?
SHOULD England have its own national anthem? Scotland has one and Wales has their own.
Now critics say God Save The Queen is only appropriate for British sporting events like the Olympics, rather than English football and rugby games.
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Richard Graham MP
MPs and academics have written to the Government to say treating the anthem as English is wrong and have suggested Jerusalem, by Gloucestershire composer Hubert Parry, or Land of Hope and Glory as suitable alternatives.
But city MP Richard Graham has spoken against the campaign, calling on all the home countries to unite under the national anthem.
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He said: "I think we should all consider ourselves part of the UK and the idea of creating a new national anthem for England could be seen as divisive.
"That does not mean, however, that we should lose our identity as English and I think we should have a bank holiday to mark St George's Day. We cannot afford a brand new bank holiday, but I think the May Day celebrations should be moved to St George's Day instead."
When asked if there should be an additional bank holiday for St George's Day, Citizen online readers voted conclusively for the idea – with 76 per cent in favour and 24 against.
Mr Graham added that Land and Hope and Glory would be appropriate for St George's Day, but not as a national anthem.
In Gloucester, residents were keen to have their say.
Mrs M Hughes, 67, of Tredworth, said: "We have got used to the national anthem and I think we would miss it of it changed."
And Matson-based Wade Williams, 68, said he thought the national theme was something the country should be proud of.
He said: "As far as I am concerned, God Save The Queen is English and should stay English."
Clint Thomas, 34, of Tuffley, said: "They may as well keep the national anthem as it is because there does not seem a need to change it."
But student Kate Lapidge, 17, of Stonehouse, thought it should change as she believes the anthem doesn't reflect the UK's multi-cultural society.
Amwne Musaheb, 62, of London Road, added: "The national anthem has such a long history in this country that it will be a shame to change it."
But Alex Mahoney, 27, of Linden, added England should have its own anthem, but Land and Hope and Glory is perhaps too associated with the armed forces.
Comments
by DirgeFree
Monday, September 10 2012, 5:09PM
“The Olympic Games made it even more noticable that our current National Anthem is totally outdated. Here was a whole nation pulling together and to celebrate their success we have a sychophantic dirge to one individual. A National Anthem should surely encompass all it's citezens, not just one!! The tune is not even original, it's called America and is used by at least one other country. What could be more appropriate or inspiring than Elgar's Land of Hope and Glory. Let's Do it Now”
by Candoguy
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 1:27AM
“The national anthem isn't an anthem for the people, it's directed totally at the reigning monarch and is embarrassing to sing as it marginalises the people and causes them to feel second best. This contributes to the inferiority and low self-esteem of people from the UK. Each UK nation has its own national anthem at the Commonwealth Games - the English one is Elgar's "Land of Hope and Glory", a tune rousing enough to contend with France's "La M****illaise". "God Save The Queen" should only be used for the Queen, while Elgar ought to be for England. That's what Norway does.”
by TimMessanger
Wednesday, April 25 2012, 10:22PM
“"racist" - nationality/religion? Would that be Xenophobia/Theophobia not racist?”
by TimMessanger
Wednesday, April 25 2012, 10:11PM
“With that amount of red you might think he now is a wannabe Labour member!”
by Bonkim2003
Tuesday, April 24 2012, 11:02PM
“Gt Britain is greater that England, Scotland or Wales/NI on their own - Britain has many anthems and all as great - so why have one if we can have - GSQ, Rule Britania, Jerusalem, LHG, - and the Scots, and the Welsh have their own favourites? The Queen has symbolised Britain well over the decades and will be a pity if we invent some non-descript vainglorious words and tune to symbolise what Britain really is - Greatness is not flash in a pan or how loud you shout - it is acquired over centuries - so best to leave things alone - it has worked well all these decades/centuries and will do so in the future. It is the new - wannabee States that need to invest new anthems.”
by Reportage
Tuesday, April 24 2012, 5:58PM
“Ha ha - yes it could be seen at divisive mr Graham - so Scotlands ambition for home rule is ok then - as long as we dont upset any one evey one else can do what they like..”
by Kay_Powell
Tuesday, April 24 2012, 5:04PM
“I suggest Rose of England (tune by Ivor Novello, words by Christopher Hassall). It's somewhat outdated, but no more so than Land of Hope and Glory, and it refers specifically to England.
http://tinyurl.com/7kp3ulg”
by Bartonite
Tuesday, April 24 2012, 2:40PM
“Simples.
http://tinyurl.com/253ugyn”
by meerkatmanor
Tuesday, April 24 2012, 2:13PM
“The term anthem means............. a song (or composition) of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".(Wik)
So if you're saying adding new words is a whim, then I think you are wrong. Words are written at some stage in history, to match historical events. The new words could say celebate us joining Europe.....LMAO ;D”
by Zindafud
Tuesday, April 24 2012, 2:11PM
“Why do we have a National Anthem that extols the virtue of a PERSON - not a country.
I am immensely proud of my COUNTRY, but I object to taking part in a tradition which calls upon God to save a person from a privaledged family I have no respect for.
Give us soemthing to celebrate ENGLAND - not the bl**dy royals.
Sorry.”