National Song Of England

Thomas Augustine Arne, who
was born in 1710 and died in 1778

Although England does not have a National Anthem of its own, its official National Song is the National Anthem of England; namely “God Save the Queen”. This is also the Commonwealth Anthem. This national song is sung before international football and rugby matches.

“God Save the Queen” was composed in the 18th century by Thomas Augustine Arne, who was born in 1710 and died in 1778. The first time it was ever sung was in 1745, during the Jacobite invasion of England. The Jacobites were trying to restore the House of Stuart, a Scottish entity, to the throne. They were being led by Charles Edward Stuart (also known as Bonny Prince Charlie). Charles Edward Stuart was proclaimed the King of England after defeating George II’s army. Because this invasion was seen as a huge threat to the monarchy, a petition was included in this National Anthem to protect the monarchy:

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.

This line is no longer included as it is anti-Scottish and, therefore, politically incorrect and irrelevant.

It should be noted that the anthem changes according to whether England is under the rulership of a King or Queen. All pronouns indicating the King or Queen will be changed accordingly.

The standard version of the National Anthem of the United Kingdom and the National Song of England follows:

God Save the Queen (or King)

God save our gracious Queen,

Long live our noble Queen,

God save the Queen:

Send her victorious,

Happy and glorious,

Long to reign over us:

God save the Queen.

O Lord, our God, arise,

Scatter her enemies,

And make them fall.

Confound their politics,

Frustrate their knavish tricks,

On Thee our hopes we fix,

God save us all.

Thy choicest gifts in store,

On her be pleased to pour;

Long may she reign:

May she defend our laws,

And ever give us cause

To sing with heart and voice

God save the Queen

For more information, please view: http://www.culture.gov.uk