# God save the Queen....my arse! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 18, 2007, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462 "2007-01-18T16:43:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/41 "2007-01-19T08:25:04Z")
[QUOTE=Yookeroo] How about "To Anacreon in Heaven”? [/QUOTE] Excellent idea. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/42 "2007-01-19T08:44:16Z")
Actually, I’d rather see crack cocaine appear as a standard item on school dinner menus, than have to listen to _Candle In The Wind_ again, ever. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/43 "2007-01-19T08:46:53Z")
I’d like to see the Candle that would have lasted any amount of time in yesterday’s wind! ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/44 "2007-01-19T10:13:42Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] I go with Billy Connolly’s suggestion for the theme from The Archers. [/QUOTE] Did he write some lyrics? And you know, if you adopt this as your anthem, everyone will have to have Morris dancing instruction – cos you won’t be allowed to sing the song if you don’t do the dance simultaneously. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/45 "2007-01-19T10:31:28Z")
[QUOTE=Leaffan] '[Beasts of England](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beasts_of_England) , beasts of Ireland, Beasts of every land and clime, Hearken to my joyful tidings Of the golden future time. [/QUOTE] Animal Farm, Animal Farm, Never through me shalt thou come to harm! ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/46 "2007-01-19T10:40:22Z")
[QUOTE=zagloba] Did he write some lyrics? [/QUOTE] No, his version went “DUH du DUH du DUH du DUUUH, LA la LA la LAAA LAAA” etc. Personally I find this the most accurate articulation of our national character ever expressed. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/47 "2007-01-19T10:59:07Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Actually, I’d rather see crack cocaine appear as a standard item on school dinner menus, than have to listen to _Candle In The Wind_ again, ever. [/QUOTE] See? It _would_ make a good national anthem! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/48 "2007-01-19T11:00:12Z")
Is “God Save the Queen” any worse than most national anthems?: > **[List of national anthems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_anthems)** > > Most nation states have an anthem, defined as "a song, as of praise, devotion, or patriotism"; most anthems are either marches or hymns in style. A song or hymn can become a national anthem under the state's constitution, by a law enacted by its legislature, or simply by tradition. A royal anthem is a patriotic song similar to a national anthem, but it specifically praises or prays for a monarch or royal dynasty. Such anthems are usually performed at public appearances by the monarch or dur T... ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/49 "2007-01-19T14:16:39Z")
Finally, if you used “Land of Hope and Glory,” anyone who was a child or a Disney fan at the time _Fantasia 2000_ came out will begin giggling uncontrollably whenever it’s used for a serious purpose. Especially if as a march to which overweight middle-aged dignitaries are in procession. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/50 "2007-01-19T14:17:07Z")
You think you’ve got it bad, with a national anthem that’s behind the times, here’s what we’re stuck with, from a war nearly 200 years ago: [QUOTE=Francis Scott Key, atty.] And where is the foe who so vauntingly swore That the ravages of war and the battle’s confusion A country and home should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution! [/quote] Admittedly, that’s from the 3rd stanza, which hardly anybody knows. ---
**Author:** ![TPWombat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TPWombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TPWombat)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/51 "2007-01-20T00:49:09Z")
**"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"** ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/52 "2007-01-20T01:50:39Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] How about the Diana version of _Candle in the Wind_? [/QUOTE] Okay, that’s it-you and I have been civil since you returned, but that’s just totally beyond the pale. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/53 "2007-01-20T02:16:58Z")
[QUOTE=C K Dexter Haven] I always thought it was “When Britain Really Ruled the Waves” [sub]From _Iolanthe_[/sub] [/QUOTE] Seconded. _When Wellington thrashed Bonaparte (as any child could tell) The House of Lords throughout the war Did nothing in particular And did it very well_ So stirring, so thrilling, so…true! ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/54 "2007-01-20T03:53:15Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] This is the National Anthem of the UK. Why? Shouldn’t a national anthem be about the nation and not an individual? I can think of 2 better candidates. 1. Land of Hope and Glory 2. Jerusalem. My preference is for #1..how about my fellow Britons? [/QUOTE] We can’t get rid of that damn “national anthem” soon enough for my liking. But then, I’m a rebellious Scot, of course. 😃 And I’n mot keen on god or the q “Land of Hope and Glory” - um, far too last night of the Proms" and, nitpicking tough it might sound, I’m just not happy with a song twittering on about “Empire” and making us “mightier yet” - We should aspire to be a civilised democracy, not “mightier”. Or at least aspire to be harmless.\* “Jerusalem”? Hehehheheh, that would please the Moslems, I’m sure. Heheheheh. Anyway, the “England’s green and pleasant land” aspect has already been mentioned (although you could keep the song in reserve for when you need it) as has the Women’s Institute associations - I’d fear we would all have to take up compulsory jam-making. On second thoughts, if we could add some tea and scones to that, I might be inclined to go for it. I suddenly remembered the Dundee songwriters Michael Marra’s suggestion for a national anthem, nice and harmless and not trying to knock the hell out of other countries > [@](#): > > Harmless, harmless > There’s never nae bother frae me > Ah go tae the library an’ tak’ oot a book > Then Ah come hame for ma tea I note that the Sex Pistols got a mention - perhaps, as a place where too many people are obsessed with the “Big Brother” house, we could adopt “Pretty Vacant”? ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/55 "2007-01-20T04:01:04Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] This is the National Anthem of the UK. Why? Shouldn’t a national anthem be about the nation and not an individual? I can think of 2 better candidates. 1. Land of Hope and Glory 2. Jerusalem. My preference is for #1..how about my fellow Britons? [/QUOTE] We can’t get rid of that damn “national anthem” soon enough for my liking. But then, I’m a rebellious Scot, of course. 😃 And I’m not too keen on god or the queen. Ooh, look, that rhymes - I might have the beginnings of a whole NEW shiny national anthem there. “Land of Hope and Glory” - um, far too last night of the Proms" and, nitpicking though it might sound, I’m just not happy with a song twittering on about “Empire” and making us “mightier yet” - We should aspire to be a civilised democracy, not “mightier”. Or at least aspire to be harmless.\* And while I’m nitpicking, I don’t see the U.K. as a “nation”, but as three nations plus that strange funny Norn Irn place. that nobody really wants. I jest, I jest - don’t shout at me, any members from across the water). “Jerusalem”? Hehehheheh, that would please the Moslems, I’m sure. Anyway, the “England’s green and pleasant land” aspect has already been mentioned (although you could keep the song in reserve for when you need it) as has the Women’s Institute associations - I’d fear we would all have to take up compulsory jam-making. On second thoughts, if we could add some tea and scones to that, I might be inclined to go for it. 🙂 I suddenly remembered the Dundee songwriters Michael Marra’s suggestion for a national anthem, nice and harmless and not trying to knock the hell out of other countries > [@](#): > > Harmless, harmless > There’s never nae bother frae me > Ah go tae the library an’ tak’ oot a book > Then Ah come hame for ma tea I note that the Sex Pistols got a mention - perhaps, as a place where too many people are obsessed with the “Big Brother” house, we could adopt “Pretty Vacant”? ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/56 "2007-01-20T04:06:10Z")
Oops, apologies - I have NO idea how I posted that twice. Celyn (not only nitpicking but really quite thick too) ☹ ---
**Author:** ![FRDE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e68b1a/32.png) [@FRDE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FRDE)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/57 "2007-01-20T09:37:06Z")
Treating this seriously, which is not really playing the game, I’ve come to the conclusion that established institutions might be a bit odd, but meddling with them can have unexpected side effects. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/58 "2007-01-20T12:53:36Z")
Oi, sunshine! I was being serious. 🙂_Perhaps_ not about “Pretty vacant”, but then again … 😃 - Edited just to din it into my thick skills that we are allowed to do that now. Just using my scribble liberties etc. (Of course, if I had remembered the edit function before, I could have dealt with that embarrassing double post.)\* ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/59 "2007-01-20T13:26:56Z")
[QUOTE=TPWombat] **“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”** [/QUOTE] That, my good man, is the anthem of that shower from mould trafford. So just cut it out, right? ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462/60 "2007-01-28T22:46:15Z")
I vow to thee my country. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-save-the-queen-my-arse/388462.md?page=2)