There has been discussion about national anthems on a couple of threads, and both music and lyrics have been criticised.
It is not just "God save the queen"
The "offensive " fourth verse receives criticism as insulting to the Scots:
Yet surely Flower of Scotland is equally insulting to the English as every verse contains the lines:
Described in Wikipedia as:
So what do we want to see in a "National Anthem"
Patriotism, inclusiveness, an advertising campaign?
It is not just "God save the queen"
The "offensive " fourth verse receives criticism as insulting to the Scots:
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.
Yet surely Flower of Scotland is equally insulting to the English as every verse contains the lines:
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
To think again.
Described in Wikipedia as:
A national anthem (also state anthem, national hymn, national song etc.) is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's Government as the official national song or by convention through use by the people. The majority of national anthems are either marches of hymns in style. The countries of Latin America tend towards more Operatic pieces, while a handful of countries use a simple fanfare
So what do we want to see in a "National Anthem"
Patriotism, inclusiveness, an advertising campaign?