For those of you unfamiliar with the Proms, it is a classical music festival held at the Royal Albert Hall every year from mid-July to mid-September (73 concerts over eight weeks), culminating in the Last Night celebrations, in which the Hall (and Hyde Park, and several other parks around the country) are filled with happy flag-waving revelers listening to a celebration of music, of Britain, and of tradition.
This time around, raucous flag-waving didn’t seem entirely appropriate, nor did some of the works due to inappropriate tangential associations (John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine has been removed for obvious reasons, for example). Instead, the more somber Adagio for Strings by Barber and spiritual settings from Tippett’s A Child of Our Time have been added, followed by the affirmation of the finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Yes, it’ll be sad to see the traditional performances of Rule, Brittania and Land of Hope and Glory fall off the program, but now is not a time for jingoism, even in good fun, and I for one appreciate the BBC’s gesture.
[sub]And there’s good odds there’ll be tears all around when we start singing “Auld Lang Syne”…[/sub]
I had actually heard that the Queen led a singing of “God Bless America” at one point. Is this the case?..or am I confusing it with the event referrenced in the OP?
Isn’t the music for “God Bless America” that of Britain’s national anthem, “God Save the Queen”? If the Queen did lead a singing of this, that’s also very stirring to contemplate. Heartfelt salutes to the British for their concern and sympathies.
I think you’re confusing Congress spontaneously singing “God Bless America” with the event in the OP. And it’s “America” (a.k.a “My Country, Tis of Thee”) that shares a tune with “God Save The Queen”. I think Irving Berlin wrote “God Bless America”.
On another note, today was apparently an International Day of Mourning across Europe. We (in the UK) observed three minutes of silence at 11 am; I presume this was also done in other EU countries?
Many people have friends in Britain who are not Dopers. Perhaps you would like to send them links to this page so that they can read our expressions of gratitude? And they can pass the word to others that their thoughts are appreciated.
Through this whole catastrophe, I have retained my composure. Despite missing neighbors and friends, despite fearing for my own life getting out of Manhattan on Tuesday, despite my daughter now having classmates who are missing a parent… But last night, watching this scene in Great Britain on the news brought tears to my eyes–I was deeply moved that people so physically distant from us could feel such empathy and support us so.
I teared up when they played The Star Spangled Banner as well.
Alongside the Maple Leaf, the Southern Cross, The Union Jack and Stars of New Zealand ( dunno what you call your flag, sorry), The Star of David…and the list goes on. God bless each and every one of y’all.
As I said in the WTC 2 thread, this is what finally brought me to tears. Such an amazing gesture. Thank you Britain, and all of our other freinds around the world who have stood by us during this.
I think what we’re seeing - and feeling - here is the good side of patriotism. Not “My country’s better than yours”, but “These are my country’s highest ideals, and I will stand by them”.
And, different though all our nations are, those highest ideals are much the same. To give aid and comfort to those in need. To defend freedom against oppression. To uphold the cause of justice.
So we look at each other and realise: we’re all on the same side, after all.
Unfortunately I don’t have time to read through all the posts, but as an American currently visiting the UK, I have to say that I am absolutely amazed by the British response. Americans, if you get BBC via satellite, tune in and just look at the support. Flags are still flying at half-staff here, American flags are being shown in some buildings, church services all over the country, a national moment of silence today… I’ve even had strangers offer me their sympathy at the B&B’s I’ve stayed at.
[Simpsons moment]
The year is 200? and Lisa is engaged to a British guy, Hugh Parkfield (numbered?). Homer and Bart displayed their hospitality by taking him out to Moe’s.
Moe: British, huh? Hey, we saved your ass in World War II!
Hugh: Yes, well we saved your arse in World War III!
Moe: Oh, yeah, I forgot that.
Every time I saw that, I always thought, “Man, I hope there never is a World War III.” But what appropriate dialogue. Now that’s one Simpson’s episode that’s in no danger of being censored.[/Simpsons moment]
I fully understand this, and my post was not meant to imply otherwise. It was just information that I found notable, and was pointing out that we share the grief on very similar (although smaller) terms with many of these nations.
Rilchiam, thanks for posting this thread, I/we feel completely helpless after the overwhelming horror of what’s happened, but it helps to know you have noticed the small showing of support we can give.
Also what Weirddave said here: “Alongside the Maple Leaf, the Southern Cross, The Union Jack and Stars of New Zealand ( dunno what you call your flag, sorry), The Star of David…and the list goes on. God bless each and every one of y’all.”
made me realise how united everyone can/is, and the world dosen’t feel so shitty after all.
I was stationed in the United Kingdom in the late 80s and was assigned to joint duty with the Royal Air Force Regiment. That was one of the high points in my military career, and it was deep regret when I was transferred at the end of my tour.
I lost two comrades, and friends, from the RAF Regiment to a random act of IRA terrorism when they were traveling to their new postings in northern Germany. I cried in anger and disbelief when they were killed on a deserted stretch of road in the Netherlands. They accepted me as a comrade and friend, despite my Roman Catholicsm, and they died at the hands of subhumans who claim to share the same beliefs as me.
I’ve always carried a part of England in my heart after I help bury my fallen friends. One of them did a tour with the Queen’s Own RAF Regiment detail that took turns guarding Buckingham Palace.
The playing of our National Anthem there brought tears to my eyes as I remember that for those of us fortunate to have served in the United Kingdom, there will be a part of us that will always be “forever England”.
