England Debates New National Anthem to Replace "God Save the King"
Britain's longstanding quest to adopt an English national anthem has sparked significant debate in the House of Commons. While "God Save the King" serves as the UK's anthem, England seeks its own identity when competing against other nations of the United Kingdom.
English team stands in unison
Currently, other UK nations have their distinct anthems: Scotland uses "Scotland the Brave" and "Flower of Scotland," Northern Ireland has "Londonderry Air," and Wales sings "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau."
One surprising frontrunner is William Blake's 1808 hymn "Jerusalem." The song's lyrics pose questions about Jesus's legendary visit to England and envision building a new Jerusalem in England's "green and pleasant land." Prime Minister David Cameron has expressed support for this choice.
The song's verses:
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?
[Additional verses omitted for brevity]
This choice reflects Britain's deep historical connection to biblical themes. The British Isles maintain numerous biblical legends, including stories of Jeremiah in Ireland and the Stone of Destiny in Scotland. Even British coronation ceremonies mirror biblical accounts of King Solomon's coronation.
The British people's ancestry traces back to two major groups:
- The Celts, with DNA links to the Middle East
- The Anglo-Saxons, descended from Germanic tribes and ancient Scythians
American and Israeli flags flying together
These origins coincide with the location where the northern 10 tribes of Israel were taken during the Assyrian captivity. This historical connection may explain Britain's persistent sense of biblical destiny, even as it searches for its modern identity in a post-imperial era.
Ancient Hebrew artifact discovered in Russia
The potential adoption of "Jerusalem" as England's national anthem would add another layer to Britain's complex relationship with its biblical heritage, even as the nation continues to evolve in the modern world.
Note: Following Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022, the UK's national anthem changed to "God Save the King."
