England's National Anthem - What Should It Be?

[DEMANN]

 

[Number 6]

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

[spacemunky]

The National Anthem by Radiohead.

[Lionator]

3 hours ago, spacemunky said:

The National Anthem by Radiohead.

The gaslight anthem do a better ‘National anthem’ but it’s very sad, even sadder than the Radiohead one. 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

23 hours ago, Number 6 said:

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

 

Would never catch on, what a ludicrous shout this is

[Foxdiamond]

1 minute ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

Would never catch on, what a ludicrous shout this is

Northern Irish band

[sylofox]

3 Lions

[Vacamion]

 

Speaking as a resident of the Celtic Fringe  I totally understand the annoyance that English teams use the UK national anthem.

 

GSTK is a slow dirge that drips with subservience, so leave it for UK State stuff.

 

If England had to use one of the "established" other anthems, it should be Land Of Hope And Glory.  Banger.

 

Personally, I'd rather it was Friggin' In The Riggin' by The Sex Pistols, though.

 

 

[bovril]

4 minutes ago, Vacamion said:

 

Speaking as a resident of the Celtic Fringe  I totally understand the annoyance that English teams use the UK national anthem.

 

GSTK is a slow dirge that drips with subservience, so leave it for UK State stuff.

 

If England had to use one of the "established" other anthems, it should be Land Of Hope And Glory.  Banger.

 

Personally, I'd rather it was Friggin' In The Riggin' by The Sex Pistols, though.

 

 

Tin foil hat conspiracy - we only keep GSTK because it's the easiest one for dumb footballers to remember the lyrics to. 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Fat Les.

[Ric Flair]

On 26/06/2026 at 10:00, Finnegan said:

The people that repeatedly call for Jerusalem know absolutely nothing about music. 

 

You'd still have the biggest dirge in sporting anthems. 

 

It's a kinda pretty song and yes it sounds OK being sung by a bunch of middle aged posh women at the proms. But it's not an anthem and it's not rousing.

 

Rule Britannia kinda works but I think it's fair to say the ship has definitely sailed on that. You're never getting away with adopting a patriotic, chest thumping, flag waving song as your anthem in 2026. Nobody would bat an eyelid if it was already your anthem (I mean half of Europe's anthems are about murdering their neighbours) but actually changing to it would cause way too much fuss. 

 

That said, this is a forum full of people that can't understand why When You're Smiling never took off like You'll Never Walk Alone so I don't know why I bother. 

 

Mind your own fcukin business

[Ric Flair]

Born Slippy 

[lanefox]

Jerusalem should be the nation anthem

[Voll Blau]

What versions of Jerusalem are people listening to that aren't rousing ffs. Great tune, great lyrics.

[Corky]

He's one of our own

He's one of our own

Saint George

He's one of our own

[CrispinLA in Texas]

.

Edited 1 July by CrispinLA in Texas

[gerblod]

On 26/06/2026 at 11:06, Finnegan said:

I mean compare that to La Marseillaise. 

 

Three anthems that give me that tingle down the spine -  the Marseillaise; the State Anthem of the USSR/Russian Federation; the Deutschlandlied.

God Save is hopelessly servile and religious, Jerusalem could serve musically but the lyrics are embarrassing. Land of Hope and Glory - ditto but ponderous too. They all belong to the bygone Empire days.

Flower of Scotland is something like what a modern national anthem should be. Subject matter is a bit controversial for the English but nae bother.

Considering there might be a 'northern parliament' on the cards 'On Ilkley Moor Bar Tat' might do on an interim basis until the government ask for a selection of new ideas from modern composer's of which the winner could then be our entry at the next Eurovision Song Contest. 

Edited 4 July by gerblod
Incompleted

[Voll Blau]

20 hours ago, gerblod said:

Three anthems that give me that tingle down the spine -  the Marseillaise; the State Anthem of the USSR/Russian Federation; the Deutschlandlied.

God Save is hopelessly servile and religious, Jerusalem could serve musically but the lyrics are embarrassing. Land of Hope and Glory - ditto but ponderous too. They all belong to the bygone Empire days.

Flower of Scotland is something like what a modern national anthem should be. Subject matter is a bit controversial for the English but nae bother.

Considering there might be a 'northern parliament' on the cards 'On Ilkley Moor Bar Tat' might do on an interim basis until the government ask for a selection of new ideas from modern composer's of which the winner could then be our entry at the next Eurovision Song Contest. 

Which ones?

[gerblod]

5 hours ago, Voll Blau said:

Which ones?

"And did those feet in ancient times walk upon England's green and pleasant land?" 

[Leicesterpool]

The rest of world must think its laughable we sing god save someone who couldnt give a toss about anyone else. Time for change. For one thing Charles isnt a football fan.

[Voll Blau]

3 hours ago, gerblod said:

"And did those feet in ancient times walk upon England's green and pleasant land?" 

They aren't the lyrics.

[Free Falling Foxes]

Mad Dogs and Englishmen.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

7 hours ago, gerblod said:

"And did those feet in ancient times walk upon England's green and pleasant land?" 

 

4 hours ago, Voll Blau said:

They aren't the lyrics.

Haha class

[Uncle Monty]

We have possibly one of the worst national anthems there is. It's not about our country it's about the royalty. How can you blame the players for not wanting to belt out a ballad about the king? You can understand how other nations sing their anthem with pride when the subject is more abstract, encompassing things related to the land and people. 

 

We should change the anthem.

[SkidsFox]

Surprised (unless I missed one) there's no one who suggests Fire by Kasabian.

 

< reads lyrics >  Oh.