GOLD!!!

[graham]

But 'rule britannia' is still too general, surely. Don't we want a more England-specific anthem?

Personally, I've always had a soft spot for 'i vow to thee my country'. Reminds me of school, and it's quite emotional.

[midget]

I have a soft spot for it too, but it still isn't England specific. I agree that Jerusalem would be good.

[J.R.]

What's wrong with nationalistic?

Quite right !

The Human Rights Act says we have to give 'suspected' terrorists the freedom of the City as long as they report to the police once a day !

Surprise, surprise - They don't, and disappear.

John Reid says we might have to tell Europe to get stuffed over the Human Rights Act, and quite right too ! How long before someone over there complains, I wonder ?

Fly the flag of St. George and be proud, I say !

[Mid A 15]

What's wrong with nationalistic?

Quite right !

The Human Rights Act says we have to give 'suspected' terrorists the freedom of the City as long as they report to the police once a day !

Surprise, surprise - They don't, and disappear.

John Reid says we might have to tell Europe to get stuffed over the Human Rights Act, and quite right too ! How long before someone over there complains, I wonder ?

Fly the flag of St. George and be proud, I say !

Rhetoric from Reid pure and simple.

I'll run naked round the mile if it happens!

Subject to a suitably large donation to the BSB or other charity of my choice.

[marty]

I have a soft spot for it too, but it still isn't England specific. I agree that Jerusalem would be good.

How is Jerusalem England specific?

[englishangel]

And did those feet
In ancient time
Walk upon ENGLAND'S mountains green


Sounds pretty specific to me

[marty]

Yes but's it's titled Jerusalem. That's like France's national anthem being called "Bratislava" or Spain singing "Beijing". Regardless of the lyrics within the song it just don't fit. However if it could be rewritten then it would be ok. We need to find a place (in England) with 4 syllables to replace the word "Jerusalem". How about:

Huddersfield
Bognor Regis
Bexhill On Sea
Bishops Stortford
Brighton and Hove
Canterbury
Clacton on Sea
Middlesborough
Wolverhampton

Any other suggestions?

[Katharine]

And did those feet
In ancient time
Walk upon ENGLAND'S mountains green


Sounds pretty specific to me

I used to belong to our local WI it always amused me that we started with singing Jerusalem, one verse in English and one in Welsh. If we sung in English it was England's mountains green but in Welsh it referred to Cymru (Wales)!

[icomefromalanddownunder]

Yes but's it's titled Jerusalem. That's like France's national anthem being called "Bratislava" or Spain singing "Beijing". Regardless of the lyrics within the song it just don't fit. However if it could be rewritten then it would be ok. We need to find a place (in England) with 4 syllables to replace the word "Jerusalem". How about:

Huddersfield
Bognor Regis
Bexhill On Sea
Bishops Stortford
Brighton and Hove
Canterbury
Clacton on Sea
Middlesborough
Wolverhampton

Any other suggestions?

Brixton Market
Hyde Park Corner
Craven Cottage
Westminster Bridge
Piccadilly
Oxford Circus
Battersea Park
I-sle of Wight

???????

Got to be somewhere with the accent on the second syllable.

Actually, none of this makes sense - they have already been built in England's green and pleasant land.
No, it's Jerusalem or nothing for me

[graham]

My only concerns over the use of Jerusalem are that 1) it is too overtly religious in nature and 2) with the Israelis and Palestinians still flogging it out over who controls what part, switching the damn place to England will only add to the confusion. I vow to thee is less OVERTLY religious and is very patriotic. Plus it honors those who did make the final sacrifice for our country, and many others, in the world wars. It doesn't mention England by name, but many anthems don't. Combined with the word god not appearing anywhere in it, we must be on to a winner.

[Mrs C.]

I`d vote for that too

[midget]

What's wrong with nationalistic?

Quite right !

The Human Rights Act says we have to give 'suspected' terrorists the freedom of the City as long as they report to the police once a day !

Surprise, surprise - They don't, and disappear.

John Reid says we might have to tell Europe to get stuffed over the Human Rights Act, and quite right too ! How long before someone over there complains, I wonder ?

Fly the flag of St. George and be proud, I say !

Rhetoric from Reid pure and simple.

I'll run naked round the mile if it happens!

Subject to a suitably large donation to the BSB or other charity of my choice.

Promises,promises

[englishangel]

My only concerns over the use of Jerusalem are that 1) it is too overtly religious in nature and 2) with the Israelis and Palestinians still flogging it out over who controls what part, switching the damn place to England will only add to the confusion. I vow to thee is less OVERTLY religious and is very patriotic. Plus it honors those who did make the final sacrifice for our country, and many others, in the world wars. It doesn't mention England by name, but many anthems don't. Combined with the word god not appearing anywhere in it, we must be on to a winner.

Excellent idea.

Incidentally when did Middlesbruff acquire 4 syllables.

What about Canterbury?

[icomefromalanddownunder]

Incidentally when did Middlesbruff acquire 4 syllables.

What about Canterbury?

Midd-les-bur-uh

like

Ed-in-bur-uh

[englishangel]

No, Middlesbra and Edinbra, short a.