God Save the Queen


Spain isn't the only country to have a controversial anthem. Read the following article that was posted on the BBC site last month:

National anthem lyrics questioned

Some of the lyrics to the UK national anthem God Save the Queen may change to make them less offensive in Scotland, a government adviser says.

The sixth verse of the song urges God to help 17th Century commander Marshal Wade "crush" the "rebellious Scots".

Ex-Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, who is advising Gordon Brown on citizenship, said a "number of people" had raised concerns over the lyrics.

People had to look at "different ways of saying" what links the UK, he added.

"Torrent"

The little-known and even less-sung sixth verse of God Save the Queen implores God to come to the aid of Marshal George Wade, who was sent to quell rebellious Scottish highlanders in the wake of the Jacobite rising of 1715.

It says:

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 Queen!

Lord Goldsmith, who stepped down as attorney general when Tony Blair left Downing Street in June, is conducting a review on the future of Britishness and citizenship.

He told BBC Two's The Daily Politics: "Quite a number of people have raised the issue of the national anthem in a number of ways.

"I think the national anthem is an important part of our national tradition."

He added: "But the review is about different ways of sharing our tradition and national identity...
"What we have to look at is different ways of saying what it is that links the country together."

Lord Goldsmith said he had not yet decided whether to recommend altering the sixth verse of the national anthem.

Source: You Tube (Donny Pearson)   Key Words: God Save Queen William Walton


Comments

Sir Joseph said…
Hi Graham,

I’m sorry. I told you not to talk about this issue but your blog is a mine of surprises and I have found this one. The sixth verse of the song of the national British anthem God Save the Queen witch says “Crush the rebellious Scots” is very strong. What would happen if that had sung in others countries? What would happen whether they were other people instead of the Scots? Anyway, it´s beyond believe that this expression can say now, in this moment.



On the other hand, we know and we can read in some newspapers that rebellious and similar word is odd word to several countries in Europa. I don’t know if this oddness is true or false, but they pretend that who talks about rebellious is not enough democratic. They are superior to other countries as always. In United Kingdom it says rebellious in its anthem.



I wonder how are we going to respect them if they don´t respect us?



God Save the Scots.



See you.
Graham said…
Hello Sir,

Have you learnt the words to Flower of Scotland yet? Most Scots know the words by heart.

... The sixth verse of the song of the God Save the Queen which says “Crush the rebellious Scots” is very strong. What would happen if that was sung in other countries? What would happen if they were other people instead of the Scots? Anyway, it´s beyond belief that this expression can be said nowadays.

On the other hand, we know and can read in some newspapers that rebellious and similar words are odd to several countries in Europe. I don’t know if this oddness is true or false, but they expect those who talk about rebellious are not democratic enough. They are, as always, superior to other countries. In the United Kingdom it says rebellious in its anthem.

I wonder how we are going to respect them if they don´t respect us?

I'm not sure if I understand fully your comment. You can clarify things the next time I see you.