The National Anthem

'God Save the King/Queen'. The melody resembles a composition by John Bull ans similar words are found from the 16th century. In its present form it was arrangled by Dr Thomas Arne, under the title 'Sonng for Two Voices'. This versions was first performed at Drury Lane Thearte in London on 28 September 1745, following the news of the defeat of the army of King George II by the 'Young Pretender' to the British Throne, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, at the battle of Prestonpans. The song immediatley became popular as an anti-Jacobite Party song during the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.

The words below are those sung in 1745, sustituting 'Queen' for 'King' where appropriate. On official occasions, only the first verse is usually sung.

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
Oh, save us all!

Thy choices 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!

Not this land alone, But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see, That men should brothers be
And form on family
The wide world over.

From every latent foe, From the assassins blow
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend, For Britains sake defend
Our mother, Prince and friend
God save our Queen!