The readers of This England Magazine have chosen Land of Hope and Glory as their favourite anthem for England.
This England’s National Anthem Survey
Many thanks to all of you who voted either through the website or by post. Thank you also for your many interesting comments, a selection of which will be published in the summer edition of This England, together with details of the “Other” suggestions. The results of the vote are as follows:
Should England have its own National Anthem?
Yes 93%
No 7%What would your choice of National Anthem be?
Jerusalem 17%
Land of Hope and Glory 40%
I Vow to Thee, My Country 32%
Rule Britannia 3%
Other 8%
God save the Queen is the national anthem of England and the United Kingdom. It must not be changed. This is an attack on the union and the monarchy. Just because Wales and Scotland stupidly chose to adopt a new anthem is no reason for England to do the same.
I dont want Jerusalem. I dont want Land of Hope and Glory.
I want God save the Queen – Monarchy is a huge part of English and British identity.
And when the Scots and Welsh boo God Save the Queen because the English use it as their anthem, you think that’s good for the monarchy and the union do you?
The soul-destroying ‘melody’ to GSTQ was clearly written by somebosy who hated music, and as for the subservient, sycophantic words, please. they were written for a time when people were expected to scrape and bow to monarchs, as if the monarchy was a deity. If you expect me to kowtow to anybody, forget it. I’m certainly not going to kowtow to a royal family who are part of the England-hating establishment. By the way, where does GSTQ mention England or Britain or any of the peoples of this divided kingdom? Most anthems mention the countries they belong to.
I’m with Kitto on this one. ‘Jerusalem’ is progressive, it mentions the word ‘England’, and it’s stirring. Job done.
It may be your view but you’re flat wrong. England is not the UK and the UK is not England. This is the sort of arrogant attitude that the Scots and others loathe in the English; to behave like England is the UK and it can just adopt the union song as its own. How pompous.
The amount of times I have stood up at Twickenham and had to listen to the soulless uninspiring dirge that is GSTQ knowing it is not even England’s anthem leaves me cold to the core. England needs an anthem and it needs it now more than ever to save our country from the twits who don’t care and fools like you who still swan along in their plus fours dreaming of Empire.
Jerusalem all the way for me.
God save the queen is not an English anthem. It is a Monarchist anthem that represents Northern Ireland too, and is only supposed to represent the royal family, therefore England does not have its own anthem. England should have its own anthem. Whats so special about Scotland and Wales that only they should have one?? I say ditch the non-English GSTQ and bring in Jerusalem.
I vow to thee, my country..It’s the best Anthem for England…..
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 questions, the love that stands the test, that lays upon the alter 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’m UK (England) born, but grew up in Canada. We have the Canadian National Anthem (in two languarges) and GTSQ as our Royal Anthem. England deserves both as well.
I like I vow to thee.
And a fine National Anthem Canada has too. I have family over there and happily sing along when I’ve watched Hockey with them. England needs something as stirring and patriotic as ‘Oh Canada!’.
The arrogant Scots, Irish and Welsh have there own parliaments and anthems but dont want us to have either. We need both and should be an independent country again.
Not so sure about the Scots etc. being arrogant, but England should have it’s own Anthem. I am half English and half Welsh,I am also a Royalist (maybe unpopular in certain circles but there you have it). I love GSTQ as an Anthem for the UK, but as has been said before it is not right for England alone. I love the fact that when Wales play sport a Welsh Anthem is played and I would also love to see England run out and sing “I vow to thee my Country”, the Full version as well please so include -
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 around 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 –
Sorry to those who feel it is Jingoistic or some such nonsense it is part of the poem and should be included. We did once hear it (the sanitised version)in a Rugby match against Canada played at Wembley… Will Carling had something to do with that if I remember and it went down really well… my view anyway.
The music for God Save The Queen is the same as the national anthem of Liechtenstein, and it doesn’t sound like a dirge when they play it. It must only in the UK. Also for the Commonwealth games ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ is used when ever England win a medal.