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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northen Ireland; namely “God Save
the Queen”' as its National Song. This is also the Commonwealth Anthem.
This national song is sung before international football and rugby matches.
“God Save the Queen” was composed in the 18th century by Thomas
Augustine Arne, who was born in 1710 and died in 1778. The first time it
was ever sung was in 1745, during the Jacobite invasion of England. The
Jacobites were trying to restore the House of Stuart, a Scottish entity, to the
throne. They were being led by Charles Edward Stuart (also known as Bonny
Prince Charlie). Charles Edward Stuart was proclaimed the King of England
after defeating George II’s army. Because this invasion was seen as a huge
threat to the monarchy, a petition was included in this National Anthem to
protect the monarchy:
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.
This line is no longer included as it is anti-Scottish and, therefore, politically
incorrect and irrelevant. It should be noted that the anthem changes
according to whether England is under the rulership of a King or Queen. All
pronouns indicating the King or Queen will be changed accordingly. The
standard version of the National Anthem of the United Kingdom and the
National Song of England follows:
God Save the Queen (or King)
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.
O Lord, our God, arise,
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