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The Artful Todger
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The Artful Todger is offline
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06-07-2019, 01:07 PM
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A doleful sycophant dirge

Describes the British national anthem to a tee.

It fails to relate to the British people, and has a distinct swipe at the Scots.

I'd say it's well past its sell by date except is should never have seen the light of day.

When it comes to music it's the pits and the lyrics are revolting

"Jerusalem" would have been so very much better, even "Ode to Joy" had a great deal going for it but "God Save the King/Queen"

Horrible.

In so many ways.
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06-07-2019, 03:40 PM
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Re: A doleful sycophant dirge

When I was young...I used to sing along to that anthem.

Especially when I'd had a few!!....
MargaretF
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06-07-2019, 03:55 PM
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Re: A doleful sycophant dirge

I can never understand why the British National Anthem is sung when England takes part in international sporting events (eg Six Nations Rugby matches) whereas Scotland and Wales have their own ones - and maybe NI does too though I don't think I have heard that one. As you say 'Jerusalem' (which is of course the unofficial English anthem sung by the Barmy Army at cricket matches) or something similar would be preferable to what we have at the moment.

There are some really uplifting anthems used by other countries - even if I don't always understand the words - a case in point is Italy's.
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06-07-2019, 03:59 PM
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Re: A doleful sycophant dirge

The Welsh and Scottish national anthems stir the soul, but you are right about the National anthem, maybe England needs its own anthem?
Jerusalem might upset the British Muslims who would object to building it here on this green and pleasant land, elements within the Labour Party wouldn’t be too chuffed either I suspect.
Isn’t ‘Ode to Joy’ the anthem of the EU?
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06-07-2019, 05:08 PM
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Re: A doleful sycophant dirge

I completely agree. Most countries have a national anthem extolling the virtues of the country or an event in history that defined that country. We crawl up the backside of our lord/lady and master/mistress. It is not a national anthem, it is a craven acknowledgement of unwarranted servitude. It reinforces the fact that we are not citizens but subjects of the hereditary monarch. It should be abolished.
I don't think Jerusalem, the popular choice, would be any better, far too Christian for a multifaith society and far too esoteric in its origins.
I would go for a wordless national tune, say, Elgar's Nimrod. It might have weird martial associations for reasons I cannot fathom, but it is utterly English and speaks volumes about the land, as a true national anthem should.
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06-07-2019, 06:01 PM
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Re: A doleful sycophant dirge

I prefer, " I Vow to The My Country" to the "God Save the Queen" rubbish
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06-07-2019, 06:53 PM
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Re: A doleful sycophant dirge

Originally Posted by The Artful Todger ->
Describes the British national anthem to a tee.

It fails to relate to the British people, and has a distinct swipe at the Scots.

I'd say it's well past its sell by date except is should never have seen the light of day.

When it comes to music it's the pits and the lyrics are revolting

"Jerusalem" would have been so very much better, even "Ode to Joy" had a great deal going for it but "God Save the King/Queen"

Horrible.

In so many ways.
This is better and more to the point. Always relevant in any political climate. Johnny Rotten for PM!!
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06-07-2019, 09:29 PM
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Re: A doleful sycophant dirge

That shut 'em up.
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06-07-2019, 09:31 PM
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Re: A doleful sycophant dirge

I don't remember this song at all from my childhood so I guess they did not play it on top of the pops? I do remember punk and found it all pretty disturbing as a child. I was too young to realise they were all egotistical poseurs.

The same year as the sex pistols song was out we had the silver jubilee and I think there were street parties. We even had a silver jubilee hat competition at school. At the time I was more interested in Charlies Angels and the Donny and Marie show.

As for the anthem, I don't think anyone has ever "liked it" but it's part of our national identity so leave it alone. Jerusalem is for rugby/cricket etc. (blah) What's it got to do with national identity? Plus it has no backbone as a tune, too twee. Why on earth would we want Beethoven???

Fact is that nobody will ever agree on the national anthem, changing it would be another divisive waste of headspace. Just deal with it or put your fingers in your ears if it makes you feel better
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06-07-2019, 09:32 PM
10

Re: A doleful sycophant dirge

Originally Posted by Floydy ->
That shut 'em up.
Hey give me a chance I've been run off my feet all day!
 
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