National Anthem - silly and irrelevant. Time for a new one.

"God save our gracious Queen..." - the opening line to the British national anthem. As a non-royalist and an atheist, singing these words at events such as the World Cup, Olympics or special, national occasions with passion and pride is next to impossible. I am proud to be English/British, we have a great country/nation that should represent fairness and equality, providing a beacon to emerging nations around the world, a modern and advanced society. Our national anthem should represent these nations and be uplifting and inspiring, with lyrics that fill people with pride and awe, not divide the nation along religious/royalist/nationalistic lines by banging on about gods, a ruling monarch and an historical, warring past.

The idea of singing about national pride at sporting events seems a little silly in the first place but, if we are going to do so, then we should at least be singing something that all involved can feel
connected to. There are even other verses to the national anthem that seem more appropriate than the one we currently use. ( Same Tune ) Check out the lyrics for the 4th verse:

 

"May just and righteous laws

Uphold the public cause,

And bless our isle.

Home of the brave and free,

Fair land and liberty,
We pray that still on thee

Kind heaven may smile."

 

Still a touch religious but a definite improvement on the first verse that some people blindly shout out at present. It is time, therefore, that we had a new anthem, one that the whole British nation can sing without deference to ruling overlords or mention of colonial wars and religion. It would be great if the English adopted 'Tubthumping', 'Don't Stop Me Now' or even 'The Archers' theme tune (thx BC) as their national anthem for English teams, but that will never happen. The individual countries that make up our great nation should have their individual ditties for those occasions when we play each other at sports. We need a British anthem that can bring us all together on the world stage when we unite as a British team. So, here are my new lyrics for the national anthem that I will be singing form now on. I have written them myself. We should probably have a new tune too but, for now, we'll be singing this to the standard tune.
      "Our Nation, so Glorious,
       Striving victorious
       Hopeful and free
       Proud of our gracious land
       United and strong we stand
       Justice in heart and hand
       Hopeful and free."

Now, I can see myself belting that out with pride in my heart. Fairness, hope and pride. Come on British people, #moveforward, have some real pride in your heart and join me in singing something meaningful, modern, inclusive and proud.