NationStates Jolt Archive

England needs its own national anthem to sing at the start of international competititions. As it stands the England football team sings God Save the Queen , which doubtless doesn't go down well with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish, and it's hardly the most inspiring anthem for the English fans or players either. So what should we replace it with? Jerusalem? Land of Hope and Glory? Or should we stick with God Save the Queen?

Stick with the National Anthem, because it is, er, the National Anthem.

And while we're at it, let's merge the teams and have a Great Britain team.

Stick with the National Anthem, because it is, er, the National Anthem.
Yeah, or let's have something that's actually good. Run To The Hills, or something like that. :D

And while we're at it, let's merge the teams and have a Great Britain team.
No, let's not.

No, let's not.
Why not? We're one country, not four.

If the Scots think they can actually produce a player good enough to play on a world class scale, then they should be given a chance to do so. :p

Why not? We're one country, not four.

If the Scots think they can actually produce a player good enough to play on a world class scale, then they should be given a chance to do so. :p
Personally, I wouldn't support a Great Britain or United Kingdom team in international competition. I'm English, not British. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may be countries in their own right, but the fact is that England is the main power out of the four. It might be a good thing for the other countries (though I imagine they'd oppose it as well), but it wouldn't be good for England.

Definately not God Save the Queen (national anthem of the UK) or Rule Brittania (specifically about Britain not England). Jerusalem is the only answer

Personally, I wouldn't support a Great Britain or United Kingdom team in international competition. I'm English, not British. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may be countries in their own right, but the fact is that England is the main power out of the four. It might be a good thing for the other countries (though I imagine they'd oppose it as well), but it wouldn't be good for England.
I think we get far more out of our Union then any of us would get apart. We're the only country in the world that can't make it's mind up whether it wants to be one nation or four; I think we ought to decide one way or another.

The only way an England would lose is if they tried to force national quota's on the team, ie 7 from England, 2 from Scotland and 1 from the other two. If you take it as a truly national team, however, where the best players are selected, then it would only strengthen the side.

Stick with the National Anthem, because it is, er, the National Anthem.

And while we're at it, let's merge the teams and have a Great Britain team.

God Save the Queen is the national anthem of the United Kingdom. England has no national anthem, since there has not been a country called England since 1707.

But yeah, I'd merge all the UK football teams. I'm British, not English or Scottish (although technically half and half).

Although I'd live to get into the West lothian Question around now, i'll aviod it :p

And while we're at it, let's merge the teams and have a Great Britain team.

Won't happen, ever.

Do you know nothing of the Anglo - Scots emnity in football?

Won't happen, ever.

Do you know nothing of the Anglo - Scots emnity in football?
No, what's that then? :rolleyes:

They should just do it, and damn the critics.

A merger of all the football teams would never work - the emnity is just too big.

I, for one, cannot see the problem with having God Save the Queen as the national anthem, and I don't really know why it is so demonised (if it is possible for a song to be). I think it is inspiring, especially when you've got several thousand people bellowing it out, although it's hardly tuneful for it.

Land of Hope and Glory or Jerusalem could be good alternatives if people ever do really become sick of it, though.

'jerusalem' is suitably jingoistic and moving for a sporting national anthem.

No, what's that then? :rolleyes:

They should just do it, and damn the critics.

And while we are about it scrap the SPL as well - put Rangers and Celtic in the EPL and the rest in the other English leagues. :eek:

Oh and don't forget to abandon the Welsh leagues as well.

Football is one of the few things that allows you to be intensly nationalistic, without being racist etc. Scotland and Wales are seperate kingdoms, nations (NI is a province)

I can not see any benefit that can be derived from merging the football teams, all it would do is produce disatisfaction due to a perceived 'English' bias in the selection of players for the GB team.

You English shoud not worry about this, you only have 2 games left to play. Its not that much

And while we are about it scrap the SPL as well - put Rangers and Celtic in the EPL and the rest in the other English leagues. :eek:
Why not?

Oh and don't forget to abandon the Welsh leagues as well.
The teams can play in a British league.

Football is one of the few things that allows you to be intensly nationalistic, without being racist etc. Scotland and Wales are seperate kingdoms, nations (NI is a province)
There is something profoundly odd about a nation that encourages its people to divide themselves up in this way. Who needs 'divide and conquer' when someone is already trying to pull their own arm off?

I can not see any benefit that can be derived from merging the football teams, all it would do is produce disatisfaction due to a perceived 'English' bias in the selection of players for the GB team.
The 'benefit' is that we would be a national team. Why do you assume that people could not be patriotic about Britain winning the world cup?

You English shoud not worry about this, you only have 2 games left to play. Its not that much
Har Har.:)

There is something profoundly odd about a nation that encourages its people to divide themselves up in this way. Who needs 'divide and conquer' when someone is already trying to pull their own arm off?


The 'benefit' is that we would be a national team. Why do you assume that people could not be patriotic about Britain winning the world cup?

You are missing the point entirely. The UK is not one nation it is three nations and a province, whether you like it or not.

You are missing the point entirely. The UK is not one nation it is three nations and a province, whether you like it or not.
Did your history lessons end in 1707?

Did your history lessons end in 1707?

You can not legislate a nation into existence. Nationality is about how people think of themselves, of the memberships that they ascribe to. Scotland and Wales are clearly independent nations - England less clearly so.

Did you never study any anthropology or sociology - I guess not.

You alsio fail at history - in 1707 there was an act of Union. This did not extinguish Scotland, but merely associated it with England under common rulership.

You can not legislate a nation into existence. Nationality is about how people think of themselves, of the memberships that they ascribe to. Scotland and Wales are clearly independent nations - England less clearly so.

Did you never study any anthropology or sociology - I guess not.

You alsio fail at history - in 1707 there was an act of Union. This did not extinguish Scotland, but merely associated it with England under common rulership.
I assure you that I did not fail at history. :)

Nationality is not what you speak of. That kind of thought can be developed and created; indeed, creating 'nationalism' is one of the things many extremist regimes specialise in. A shared event/threat/ambition and hey presto! Everyone is good friends and thinks of themselves in a certain way.

The Nation of Great Britain as it is today was not created in 1707, but that was the start of the process. In that Act of Union, both Scotland and England became subordinate to a new layer of Government at Westminster; the two nations fused into one. Now people are trying to tear the two apart again, but it is akin to a sperm and egg joining in 1707 and trying to disconnect the two again today. It just ain't gonna happen, at least not without a lot of tears.

I assure you that I did not fail at history. :)
Now people are trying to tear the two apart again, but it is akin to a sperm and egg joining in 1707 and trying to disconnect the two again today. It just ain't gonna happen, at least not without a lot of tears.

That is not actually true... I somehow doubt England would care about the loss of England, and Scotland's second biggest party wants independance.

Wales is just... Wales :P.

And Norn Iron? Well... thats being disputed as we speak...

That is not actually true... I somehow doubt England would care about the loss of England, and Scotland's second biggest party wants independance.

Wales is just... Wales :P.

And Norn Iron? Well... thats being disputed as we speak...
England wouldn't care about the loss of England?

Now there's a philosophical paradox...

I assure you that I did not fail at history. :)

Nationality is not what you speak of. That kind of thought can be developed and created; indeed, creating 'nationalism' is one of the things many extremist regimes specialise in. A shared event/threat/ambition and hey presto! Everyone is good friends and thinks of themselves in a certain way.

The Nation of Great Britain as it is today was not created in 1707, but that was the start of the process. In that Act of Union, both Scotland and England became subordinate to a new layer of Government at Westminster; the two nations fused into one. Now people are trying to tear the two apart again, but it is akin to a sperm and egg joining in 1707 and trying to disconnect the two again today. It just ain't gonna happen, at least not without a lot of tears.

You are still confusing a nation with the administration of thast nation. A nation is a collection of people who identify with one another. As such Scotland is clearly a nation. That it is administered (or was) from Westminster has no effect on this. As I said, you can not legislate a nation into or out of existence. It is a matter of emotive attitudes of the resident population of a region.

As a legal entity, you may be right, and the 1707 act of Union merged two seperate entities into one, but in terms of culture no legal article can change a damn thing.

This is a matter of perspective. Culturally Scotland, England and Wales are seperate nations. Legally too, now, they are seperate nations and Scotland has alwayys been so - (independent legal system and legal code - the union was never consummated)

Watching the England/T&T game at least you can say God Save the Queen doesn't quite sound as like a dirge as their anthem. Still isn't exclusively ours though, and it sort of shows the way they all groan it out, and only when it's finished show a bit of enthusiasm.

You are still confusing a nation with the administration of thast nation. A nation is a collection of people who identify with one another. As such Scotland is clearly a nation. That it is administered (or was) from Westminster has no effect on this. As I said, you can not legislate a nation into or out of existence. It is a matter of emotive attitudes of the resident population of a region.

As a legal entity, you may be right, and the 1707 act of Union merged two seperate entities into one, but in terms of culture no legal article can change a damn thing.

This is a matter of perspective. Culturally Scotland, England and Wales are seperate nations. Legally too, now, they are seperate nations and Scotland has alwayys been so - (independent legal system and legal code - the union was never consummated)

Therefore, if there is no such thing as Britain or British identity as you claim, why have all independence movements, even in Scotland, never suceeded?

Therefore, if there is no such thing as Britain or British identity as you claim, why have all independence movements, even in Scotland, never suceeded?

Maybe because they pumped the areas full of englishmen that perhaps would prefer to be ruled by their own people? Maybe cause England has a bit bigger budget than the other unionites? Nevermind, Scotland will still prefer a swedish football victory to an english one.

My vote goes to I Am The Walrus.

I think we get far more out of our Union then any of us would get apart. We're the only country in the world that can't make it's mind up whether it wants to be one nation or four; I think we ought to decide one way or another.

But if you did that will all international sports it would make six nations rugby really lame (and it would really annoy the Welsh).

England are Jolly D - The Hamiltons

There shouldn't be one - just go straight to the game :D

We´ve had all the tin from Cornwall and the slate from Wales. Scotland is a paradise, spoiled somewhat by playing host to the Scots. Give them all independance I say. That way we can have a bit of fun with cross border skirmishes using armoured brigades as opposed to bus loads of football hooligans.

Land of Hope and Glory, or The Birdy Song.

What about Spice Girls? :D

God Save the Queen for England. It is time the nation regained its pride.

Stick with God Save the Queen... but sing the Sex Pistols version.

Jerusalem, because it's beautiful, and because Blake was a radical dude, man. :D

No, seriously, Jerusalem should be the English national anthem.

I vote "London Calling"

How about the punk band Feeder? They're from the UK and have the perfect song.

Choke

She likes big boats, big yachts, designer throws
She likes big blokes, body oil, sex that chokes
Her mother left her when she was fifteen
Out of the nest into the vacuum flow
She got a job working shifts at Sainsbury's
Packed her bags and left for Monaco

Choke, choke, choke, choke

You're the only pill I take
Lift me up to where the clouds are snow
Cause you're the only thrill I feed
Ease the pressure let the whole thing flow

She likes Belgo, fashion heads, Saville Row
She likes the cheap sex, private jets, the Paris glow
Her mother left her when she was fifteen
Out of the nest into the vacuum flow

Choke, choke, choke, choke

You're the only pill I take
Lift me up to where the clouds are snow
Cause you're the only thrill I feed
Ease the pressure let the waters flow

You're the only pill I take
Lift me up to where the clouds are snow

Snow, snow, snow
Choke, choke, choke, choke

You're the only pill I take
Lift me up to where the clouds are snow
You're the only thrill I feed
Ease the pressure let the whole thing flow

Cause you're the only pill I take
Lift me up to where the clouds are snow
You're the only thrill I feed
Ease the pressure let the whole thing flow

God Save The Queen - Sex Pistols

Lightning Seeds, The - Three Lions '98

There ain't nothing better.

Yeah, or let's have something that's actually good. Run To The Hills, or something like that. :D
Or Bruce Dickinson's version of Jersualem. :D

AH. Or Bill Bailey's "Portishead" version of Zipedee Doo Da.:D

If there was a UK team, the starting 11 would all be English
Land of Hope and Glory gets my vote
Feeder is not a punk band

England needs its own national anthem to sing at the start of international competititions. As it stands the England football team sings God Save the Queen , which doubtless doesn't go down well with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish, and it's hardly the most inspiring anthem for the English fans or players either. So what should we replace it with? Jerusalem? Land of Hope and Glory? Or should we stick with God Save the Queen?
Why should England give two shit if it upsets Scotland, Ireland or Wales, it aint the UK playing, not that Ireland is in the UK however.

If there was a UK team, the starting 11 would all be English
Land of Hope and Glory gets my vote
Feeder is not a punk band

Nuh ah I see Giggs and Roy Keene if...
1) He hadn't retired
2) Ireland was part of the UK.
----------------------------------------
Anyways if it is so bad why sing it twice? :confused:

I'd have Jerusalem as the Anthem of England, and Rule Britannia the anthem of the United Commonwealth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (http://gardinersite.tripod.com/republic.htm)

Feeder is gay.

Footy footy footy footy footy footy footy footy footy footy footy footy, England England!

I'd have Jerusalem as the Anthem of England, and Rule Britannia the anthem of the United Commonwealth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (http://gardinersite.tripod.com/republic.htm)

That's not such a bad idea although I might be tempted to have land of Hope and Glory as the British national anthem

That's not such a bad idea although I might be tempted to have land of Hope and Glory as the British national anthem

no way, it's gotta be rule brittania out of them 2

That's not such a bad idea although I might be tempted to have land of Hope and Glory as the British national anthem

Nah, to clichéd.

There'll always be an England,
While there's a country lane.
Wherever there's a cottage small
Beside a field of grain
There'll always be an England
While there's a busy street.
Wherever there's a turning wheel
A million marching feet.

Red, white and blue
What does it mean to you?
Surely you're proud
Shout it loud
Britons awake!
The Empire too
We can depend on you.
Freedom remains
These are the chains
Nothing can break.

There'll always be an England
And England shall be free
If England means as much to you
As England means to me



Then again, maybe A British Tar from HMS Pinafore would be appropriate... Or just stick with God Save The Queen. I like that one, too.