Dr Tomasz Skirecki

IFA, UAM, 2012

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN/ KING - NATIONAL ANTHEM OF THE UK

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national anthem of the United Kingdom by tradition

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used also as an anthem of England in sports when the four home nations compete
separately

History:

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one of the oldest national anthems in Europe

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authorship unknown

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first performed in 1745 in Drury Lane Theatre and Covent Garden in London in
support of King George II during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745

Lyrics:

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,
Scatter her enemies,
And make them fall.
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all.

Thy choicest gifts in store,
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen.

Historical fourth stanza:

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.

Dr Tomasz Skirecki

IFA, UAM, 2012

Rule, Britannia!

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British patriotic song from 1740

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lyrics: James Thomson (1700 – 1748) – part of masque “Alfred the Great”

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music: Thomas Arne (1710-1778)

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traditionally performed on the Last Night of the Proms

When Britain first at Heav'n's command
Arose from out the azure main;
Arose, arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter, the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sang this strain:

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves!