I Love It

[Bert]

When singing the national anthem, how the players all join up and put their arms round each other and how most of them don't mumble the anthem anymore they sing it. It, for me just shows the pride, passion and togetherness within the squad, and could be a key to our success.

[C-man]

When singing the national anthem, how the players all join up and put their arms round each other and how most of them don't mumble the anthem anymore they sing it. It, for me just shows the pride, passion and togetherness within the squad, and could be a key to our success.

except whoeever our right back is.

[macbeth]

When singing the national anthem, how the players all join up and put their arms round each other and how most of them don't mumble the anthem anymore they sing it. It, for me just shows the pride, passion and togetherness within the squad, and could be a key to our success.

i hate it ; scrap the national anthem for england games ; we are playing for the pride of the nation not some 80 year woman and her family of spongers and layabouts land of hope and glory for me

[Steven]

When singing the national anthem, how the players all join up and put their arms round each other and how most of them don't mumble the anthem anymore they sing it. It, for me just shows the pride, passion and togetherness within the squad, and could be a key to our success.

What success? Based on the first two performances we will need to improve significantly to get past the last Eight. <_<

[Thracian]

i hate it ; scrap the national anthem for england games ; we are playing for the pride of the nation not some 80 year woman and her family of spongers and layabouts land of hope and glory for me

I'll stand correcting but I thinkl you'll find the product from Royal Family related tourism is far greater than the loss from potential President Tony Blair and his cronies shameful political and personal wastefulness. The cost of the Afghan/Iraq wars for instance now runs into trillions of dollars, yes trillions.

[Steven]

i hate it ; scrap the national anthem for england games ; we are playing for the pride of the nation not some 80 year woman and her family of spongers and layabouts land of hope and glory for me

I would tend to agree though that statement should not be seen as being anti-Monarchist. It is a pretty crap anthem for any number of reasons. <_<

[Phube]

I would tend to agree though that statement should not be seen as being anti-Monarchist. It is a pretty crap anthem for any number of reasons. <_<

I agreee on a certain level, even though I'm a big monarchist, our national anthem is a British one, hence at the Olympics. England Doesn't have a real anthem. Land of hope and Glory is again quite a British song (i.e. the Empire). We need to find a decent English song to be our anthem, the only one that specifically mentions England is Jerusalem. Althugh a good Hymn, I can't see the team being able to sing it!!!

[Jay]

I am no royalist I don't really care about the Royal Family but the hypocrite in me loves the National Anthem at Football I don't think there is a better known National Anthem in the world and everytime I hear the opening chords it sends a shiver down my spine and with 35000 proud England Supporters singing it's always a special moment for me

[Thracian]

Agree about the Anthem. It is naff and its military overtones are outmoded. I'd have Jerusalem anyday. Much more emotive and inspiring.

[macbeth]

I'll stand correcting but I thinkl you'll find the product from Royal Family related tourism is far greater than the loss from potential President Tony Blair and his cronies shameful political and personal wastefulness. The cost of the Afghan/Iraq wars for instance now runs into trillions of dollars, yes trillions.

how does anyone come to any conclusion as to the value of the royal family in regard to tourism .....i am unaware of any forms tourists fill in that says they visit britain to come and see the queen or any royalty

the whole financial benefit is unquantifiable

[Phube]

how does anyone come to any conclusion as to the value of the royal family in regard to tourism .....i am unaware of any forms tourists fill in that says they visit britain to come and see the queen or any royalty

the whole financial benefit is unquantifiable

Haven't you notice them flock to Buck Pal, the changing of the guard, Windsor Castle etc.....??

[Thracian]

how does anyone come to any conclusion as to the value of the royal family in regard to tourism .....i am unaware of any forms tourists fill in that says they visit britain to come and see the queen or any royalty

the whole financial benefit is unquantifiable

But studies have been done to assess the value of the Royal aspects of tourism and it is considerable.

[macbeth]

But studies have been done to assess the value of the Royal aspects of tourism and it is considerable.

i've noticed lots of tourists in spain going to bullfights........this doesn't justify its continuance.....and neither does tourism value ( real or imagined ) justify the continuance of this outdated system of being "born into priveledge and power"

[lcfc true blue josh 18]

When singing the national anthem, how the players all join up and put their arms round each other and how most of them don't mumble the anthem anymore they sing it. It, for me just shows the pride, passion and togetherness within the squad, and could be a key to our success.

how can singing the national anthem be the key to success

[crazy horse]

Agree about the Anthem. It is naff and its military overtones are outmoded. I'd have Jerusalem anyday. Much more emotive and inspiring.

now you're talkin

[macbeth]

Agree about the Anthem. It is naff and its military overtones are outmoded. I'd have Jerusalem anyday. Much more emotive and inspiring.

yesseerreeeeeeeeee

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England's mountain green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the countenance divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among those dark satanic mills?

inspiring stuff and no mention of royalty

[Thracian]

i've noticed lots of tourists in spain going to bullfights........this doesn't justify its continuance.....and neither does tourism value ( real or imagined ) justify the continuance of this outdated system of being "born into priveledge and power"

Ah, the politics of envy. I just been watching what bit I could stomach of a documentary on China and their "everyone's equal" Communist Party. Classic example of the fact that someone will have privilege and power in every system. Ours may be flawed but it also makes a positive and continuing contribution to our economy and the Queen has commanded respect in many places long after politicians of every pursuasion have disappeared.

You really should read in depth about Republicanism in Russia and China - Wild Swans (Three Daughters of China) by Jung Chang is a good start or even Nelson Demile's "The Charm School" offers insights.

Overall I know which I prefer - and by a distance thanks.

[Suffolk_fox]

yesseerreeeeeeeeee

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England's mountain green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the countenance divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among those dark satanic mills?

inspiring stuff and no mention of royalty

Blimey, brings a tear to my eyes just reading it! We should start a movement!!! Someone design a sig!

[Suffolk_fox]

Full version:

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England’s mountains green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On England’s pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;

Bring me my Arrows of Desire;

Bring me my Spear; O clouds unfold!

Bring me my Chariot of Fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,

Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand,

Till we have built Jerusalem

In England’s green and pleasant Land.

Apparently King George V heard the orchestral version of this and commented that he preferred this to 'God Save The King' as the National Anthem.....

[Thracian]

yesseerreeeeeeeeee

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England's mountain green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the countenance divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among those dark satanic mills?

inspiring stuff and no mention of royalty

You seem to miss my whole point about Royalty which is not about individuals but about such things as history and national indentity and the contacts/friendships made over millenia and so many other things.

Our Royal heritage not only brings in vast amounts of money (Lord knows we need it as we fall ever deeper in debt) but is a part of what makes up the colourful vision of the United Kingdom. Royal individuals can irritate me as much as anyone else, including politicians but that doesn't mean the whole concept should be dismantled and dumped as happened in Russia.

It is a deep, deep subject but please do some background reading, as I've suggested elsewhere, before you so flippantly seek to throw away that which would probably never be replaced.

The National Anthem does not have to mention Royalty. It needs simply to reflect and inspire our nation. And it needs to be a rousing song. Rather like Flower of Scotland.

[macbeth]

Ah, the politics of envy. I just been watching what bit I could stomach of a documentary on China and their "everyone's equal" Communist Party. Classic example of the fact that someone will have privilege and power in every system. Ours may be flawed but it also makes a positive and continuing contribution to our economy and the Queen has commanded respect in many places long after politicians of every pursuasion have disappeared.

You really should read in depth about Republicanism in Russia and China - Wild Swans (Three Daughters of China) by Jung Chang is a good start or even Nelson Demile's "The Charm School" offers insights.

Overall I know which I prefer - and by a distance thanks.

i know there is no such thing as true equality and i don't particularly think it desirable; yes other countries have priveledged groups but my main point is being " born" into such priveledge and influence is contrary to my philosophy of life; i would only want these things to be earned;

[davieG]

i know there is no such thing as true equality and i don't particularly think it desirable; yes other countries have priveledged groups but my main point is being " born" into such priveledge and influence is contrary to my philosophy of life; i would only want these things to be earned;

Trouble is every will that's made bestows riches upon someone who hasn't earned it, hence being born into priveledge, because money provides priveledge as well. That's one of the ways that the rich get rich and stay rich. Would you sooner it all past to the state for them to waste?

[macbeth]

Trouble is every will that's made bestows riches upon someone who hasn't earned it, hence being born into priveledge, because money provides priveledge as well. That's one of the ways that the rich get rich and stay rich. Would you sooner it all past to the state for them to waste?

no problem with inherited wealth and i know a certain amount of privelidge/ power would come with it but if i suggested that young master brooklyn beckham should be the first in line to be the next england captain you would no doubt think i was mental ; yet we allow the far more important role as head of state be passed on as if it was a second home in bognor

[macbeth]

You seem to miss my whole point about Royalty which is not about individuals but about such things as history and national indentity and the contacts/friendships made over millenia and so many other things.

Our Royal heritage not only brings in vast amounts of money (Lord knows we need it as we fall ever deeper in debt) but is a part of what makes up the colourful vision of the United Kingdom. Royal individuals can irritate me as much as anyone else, including politicians but that doesn't mean the whole concept should be dismantled and dumped as happened in Russia.

It is a deep, deep subject but please do some background reading, as I've suggested elsewhere, before you so flippantly seek to throw away that which would probably never be replaced.

The National Anthem does not have to mention Royalty. It needs simply to reflect and inspire our nation. And it needs to be a rousing song. Rather like Flower of Scotland.

sorry i missed this before but i would just like to pick up on a few points now

firstly you keep insisting that royalty brings in vast amounts of money; diferent studies with different agendas have come up with different conclusions; ie if you want to believe they are good value for money you will find evidence for that but equally you could find the opposite as other studies have found; as i said before it is impossible to quantify and personally i am not that concerned

secondly you refer to countries such as russia and china that may have become worse after; but these countries did not have a democratic structure to maintain order; it would be like any country post revolution ie a power vacuum;

why not use france /canada/ or the usa as examples of countries breaking ties with royalty; the examples you used aren 't representative of all that have adopted a republican style head of state;

the whole concept of royalty is not just a queen and a few princes etc but a whole belief system that some people are born better than others ; and it infiltrates into the whole psyche of the nation ; its only recently the hereditary peers have stopped holding so much sway over our lives

[macbeth]

sorry i missed this before but i would just like to pick up on a few points now

firstly you keep insisting that royalty brings in vast amounts of money; diferent studies with different agendas have come up with different conclusions; ie if you want to believe they are good value for money you will find evidence for that but equally you could find the opposite as other studies have found; as i said before it is impossible to quantify and personally i am not that concerned

secondly you refer to countries such as russia and china that may have become worse after; but these countries did not have a democratic structure to maintain order; it would be like any country post revolution ie a power vacuum;

why not use france /canada/ or the usa as examples of countries breaking ties with royalty; the examples you used aren 't representative of all that have adopted a republican style head of state;

the whole concept of royalty is not just a queen and a few princes etc but a whole belief system that some people are born better than others ; and it infiltrates into the whole psyche of the nation ; its only recently the hereditary peers have stopped holding so much sway over our lives

you wont convince some people, they are obsessed with royalty . its like a soap opera to them and they think its real