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A new English national anthem: is Jerusalem as good as it gets? A new English national anthem: is Jerusalem as good as it gets?
(7 months later)
Today, as tradition demands before every Olympics, MPs debated the pressing need for England to have its own national anthem.Today, as tradition demands before every Olympics, MPs debated the pressing need for England to have its own national anthem.
Yes, you might think there are more important issues right now, such as junior doctors or whether Leeds is either going to be given some new flood defences or turn into a permanent aqua park.Yes, you might think there are more important issues right now, such as junior doctors or whether Leeds is either going to be given some new flood defences or turn into a permanent aqua park.
But it isn’t – honestly! – as stupid an idea as it first sounds, even though a second reading now seems unlikely. A nation anthem is there to inspire people at times of national crisis – just look at Parisians singing La Marseillaise after the recent terror attacks; God Save the Queen hasn’t inspired anyone since it was popularised in 1745 during Bonnie Prince Charlie’s invasion to take back the throne for the Stuarts.But it isn’t – honestly! – as stupid an idea as it first sounds, even though a second reading now seems unlikely. A nation anthem is there to inspire people at times of national crisis – just look at Parisians singing La Marseillaise after the recent terror attacks; God Save the Queen hasn’t inspired anyone since it was popularised in 1745 during Bonnie Prince Charlie’s invasion to take back the throne for the Stuarts.
Yet every time this issue is debated, there is only really one choice for an English anthem: Jerusalem, Blake’s great poem of building a paradise among England’s “dark Satanic mills”, set to Hubert Parry’s soaring orchestration.Yet every time this issue is debated, there is only really one choice for an English anthem: Jerusalem, Blake’s great poem of building a paradise among England’s “dark Satanic mills”, set to Hubert Parry’s soaring orchestration.
Related: Wonderful Land is our new Jerusalem | Letters
You could argue it isn’t the best choice. Jerusalem – as its very name makes clear – is just as religious as God Save the Queen, and totally unsuitable for today’s largely secular England.You could argue it isn’t the best choice. Jerusalem – as its very name makes clear – is just as religious as God Save the Queen, and totally unsuitable for today’s largely secular England.
Amid the great poetry there are also some of the most cliched, appallingly hackneyed phrases imaginable - “England’s green and pleasant land”, for instance – words you would cringe at if they came out of Nigel Farage’s mouth.Amid the great poetry there are also some of the most cliched, appallingly hackneyed phrases imaginable - “England’s green and pleasant land”, for instance – words you would cringe at if they came out of Nigel Farage’s mouth.
Billy Bragg once said that singing it is “the one time I do actually feel pride being English”. But would he feel the same if it had been written by someone other than the free-love supporting, vision-seeing, working-class champion Blake? Maybe not.Billy Bragg once said that singing it is “the one time I do actually feel pride being English”. But would he feel the same if it had been written by someone other than the free-love supporting, vision-seeing, working-class champion Blake? Maybe not.
But even with those points, I have to admit it is the best way to go. The only alternative is a competition for a brand-new song – every child in the country being asked to grab a pen and write an entry, Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber being begged to do so, too, with Dizzee Rascal commissioned for a guest rap.But even with those points, I have to admit it is the best way to go. The only alternative is a competition for a brand-new song – every child in the country being asked to grab a pen and write an entry, Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber being begged to do so, too, with Dizzee Rascal commissioned for a guest rap.
It woud probably be a worthwhile event – getting everyone to debate what it really means to be English today – but chances are it wouldn’t produce the greatest poetry.It woud probably be a worthwhile event – getting everyone to debate what it really means to be English today – but chances are it wouldn’t produce the greatest poetry.
Switzerland recently held a similar contest and ended up picking a winner that spends most of its time pointing out the country’s flag is a “white cross on a red background”.Switzerland recently held a similar contest and ended up picking a winner that spends most of its time pointing out the country’s flag is a “white cross on a red background”.
It’s hardly Blake, is it? It’s hardly even God Save the Queen.It’s hardly Blake, is it? It’s hardly even God Save the Queen.
Alex Marshall is the author of Republic or Death! Travels in Search of National AnthemsAlex Marshall is the author of Republic or Death! Travels in Search of National Anthems