And another thing. We need a new national anthem.

[raleighnut]

Billy Connolly came up with the best suggestion - it should be the theme tune from The Archers!

Bu**er beat me to it.
He also came up with the lyrics
La-la la la-la la laa la la-la la laaa-laaa.....................................

 

[DiddlyDodds]

If you want to live in a republic , get a ferry at dover and shut the door on your way out, and hands off our national anthem , its what this country will always be "Great"
.
And all those that bleat on about "let Prince William be the next king not Charles" go do things to your self, tradition is not for cheap change.

 

[classic33]

Nice tune, but the words are too religious...

This is also good for the tune:

(the words are a bit much these days, though)

There's not much hope left though!

 

[SteCenturion]

As an English man with Scots blood I have never heard a more rabble rousing, hairs on the back of neck raising anthem as Flower of Scotland.

The finest national anthem bar none.

What we English need is something of a similar ilk, loud, brave & fierce with reference to our illustrious history.

How many times do we see sportsmen & women & fans alike mumbling along under their breath ?

Not so with the Scots who know & sing 'loudly' & with pride every single word.

New anthem now.

 

[classic33]

There's this one. Translated & sung in over 100 languages, including English.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCMt4ce-UwU
​

 

[martint235]

The verse about the Scots was never an official verse.

The main problem with the anthem is that people tend to sing it too slowly, believing that makes it sound more solemn.



Flower of Scotland is OK, but I also love Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau - which to me is even more loin stirring...

...but the best national anthem without exception is God Defend New Zealand, particularly when sung in both Maori and English.

Oh please don't let us go down the multiple languages option. Before we know it we'll be like South Africa only with English, Gaelic and Breton. It'll go on for ever.

 

[raleighnut]

Prefer Bill Oddie's version

 

[Profpointy]

whilst change is probably unfeasible unless we follow the republican path, here's a few of the truly great anthems

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika

the Marseilles - already mentioned

not quite a."national" anthem' but "the Internationale" is pretty stirring

And of course, the greatest of all (not that I'm biased)
Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhadau

 

[Archie_tect]

I like Italy's, but you hardly hear it these days...

 

[swee'pea99]

If you want to live in a republic , get a ferry at dover and shut the door on your way out, and hands off our national anthem , its what this country will always be "Great"
.
And all those that bleat on about "let Prince William be the next king not Charles" go do things to your self, tradition is not for cheap change.

What about if you think the whole lot of 'em should go on the guillotine?This is my country, not theirs. They're all bleedin' Germans.

 

[numbnuts]

I like Jerusalem

 

[SteCenturion]

The Aussies anthem I find quite good.

Yankee doodle dandies not so much.

 

[MikeG]

I reckon this would be it if it were put to the vote -


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKDBGHmH7Hw

I'd emmigrate.

 

[classic33]

What about if you think the whole lot of 'em should go on the guillotine?This is my country, not theirs. They're all bleedin' Germans.

Copy of something made in this country. See #21
Not as heavy duty either.

 

[classic33]

I'd emmigrate.

Where though?