Pride in St George is flagging

[hetrodoxly]

It's a wonderful tune, maybe better known as Holst's Jupiter. But the only true English anthem has to be Jerusalem.

I don't think "I vow to thee my country" is any less English than Jerusalem, when Holst's adapted the music to Sir Cecil Spring-Rices poem ("the two fatherlands") he called it thaxted after the village he lived in, if it was ever used as our national anthem all verses should be sung.

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[Flibbertigibbet]

I don't think "I vow to thee my country" is any less English than Jerusalem, when Holst's adapted the music to Sir Cecil Spring-Rices poem ("the two fatherlands") he called it thaxted after the village he lived in, if it was ever used as our national anthem all verses should be sung.

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I agree yes, both songs are thoroughly English. Jerusalem, though, is older and more popular I think. It also mentions England by name, which I Vow to the my Country doesn't.

[hetrodoxly]

I agree yes, both songs are thoroughly English. Jerusalem, though, is older and more popular I think. It also mentions England by name, which I Vow to the my Country doesn't.

That's an interesting point, how many national anthems mention the name of their country. i'd imagine it would be most? with the possibility of Scotland going it a loan and wales wanting more independence we have to look inwards and take more pride and interest in our own traditions.

How about "I vow to thee my England"

[Flibbertigibbet]

That's an interesting point, how many national anthems mention the name of their country. i'd imagine it would be most? with the possibility of Scotland going it a loan and wales wanting more independence we have to look inwards and take more pride and interest in our own traditions.

How about "I vow to thee my England"

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to suggest rewriting it, lol. In any case if you change "country" to "England" you then lose the play on words later where it says "And there's another country, I've heard of long ago" (referring to the Kingdom of God, presumably, though it isn't spelt out).

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,

Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;

The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,

That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;

The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,

The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

I heard my country calling, away across the sea,

Across the waste of waters she calls and calls to me.

Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet on her head,

And round her feet are lying the dying and the dead.

I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns,

I haste to thee my mother, a son among thy sons.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,

Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;

We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;

Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;

And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,

And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

Edited April 29, 2012 by Flibbertigibbet

[TheLastLazyGun]

are you seriously suggesting that this is a suitable national anthem for England in the 21st century?

Yeah. A song about people wanting to be free and not under bondage?

Sounds like a great national anthem to me.

I would go along with your post,and while we are at it change the National Anthem,not that I have anything against our Queen,but I think Land of Hope and Glory would be more appropriate..cheers

I quite like Jerusalem, too. It is the song that English athletes sing at the medals ceremony when they win gold at the Commonwealth Games (the Home Nations compete separately in the Commonwealth Games as they do in football but unlike in the Olympics). The song refers. of course, to the legend that Jesus visited England with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea.

JERUSALEM

And did those feet in ancient time.

Walk upon England's mountains 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 these 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 & pleasant Land

Edited April 29, 2012 by TheLastLazyGun