National Anthem (Gordon Jacobs Fanfare) - Westminster Abbey

[fordorish]

Another interesting fact about the Queen is that she never crosses arms with other people when "Auld Lang syne" is sung because she is not a so-called "commonor" and therefore can not be seen as one. At least I think that is the reason.

[64orpheus]

very nice everithing.....the splendor of the british monarchy...is beautiful...but I just can believe that the people in the ceremony need to read the lyrics of their anthem in a paper.

[ColinMMayford]

Strange 'pc' words to the second verse. They wont catch on!

[kurloid]

I've noticed, the Queen never sings the national anthem, any reason why she doesnt?

[CorollaLvr2000]

@kurloid From what I understand (although I'm not British), the monarch never sings the National anthem during their reign. I'm sure that before her coronation in 1953, she did sing it along with everyone else. If you think about it, I guess it'd be a bit silly for her to be singing about God saving herself...

[Duty199]

@kurloid i think she dont sing it because its her "song" and she dont sing about her self ^^

[OliverioJovellanos]

@kurloid "God save our gracious me, God save our noble me, God save me..." mmm, i dont think so.

[Randianpole2]

@kurloid It would be a little strange for her to wish herself long life, glory and victory I think.

[pegrueneis]

@kurloid ....god save ME..??? lol

[rivenoak]

Baah ! "Thy choicest gifts in store" is not the second verse but the third.

Second verse is

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!

Look for the lyrics sheet from 1745 @ Wikipedia :)

[alextilson]

I bet the Yanks are spitting chips they have not got a monarchy or pedigree like us british!!

[andrewlowewatson]

I've always loved that fanfare. For some reason i thought it was written by Sir Arthur Bliss for the wedding of Princess Anne.

[reges198]

@andrewlowewatson Bliss wrote the Fanfare for a Dignified Occasion, which is another oft used fanfare.

[pidog]

Ah, I've been trying to find the composer for that Fanfare for ages.

[jvolstad]

That must be very humbling with everyone singing "God save the Queen".

I worked in London back in 2004 and attended chuch at the Abbey,

[rileykernaghan]

What's with that second verse? That's sure not "Thy choicest gifts in store"

[sheebp]

@rileykernaghan It's known best as the 'Commonwealth Verse', written by William Edward Hickson in the C19. The verse is:

Not on this land alone

But be God's mercies known

From shore to shore.

Lord, make the nations see

That men should brothers be,

And from one family

The wide world o'er.