This thread is diverging a bit.

Some are on about a British national anthem, some an English national anthem - 2 different things.

Wales and Scotland have their own, England is the only country in the union that does not have its own and uses the GSTQ durge.

A separate issue is Britain as a whole (different from ENGLAND) and that anthem. GSTQ as well as being uninventing and dull is also incredibly annoying for the majority of the country who want rid of the royal family - they last thing they're going to do is sing something in support of them. Its hardly a song to unite everyone as a result of that!

Oh my. That was funny!

The Netherlands:

William of Nassau, scion
Of a Dutch and ancient line,
I dedicate undying
Faith to this land of mine.
A prince I am, undaunted,
Of Orange, ever free,
To the king of Spain I've granted
A lifelong loyalty.



I've ever tried to live in
The fear of God's command
And therefore I've been driven,
From people, home, and land,
But God, I trust, will rate me
His willing instrument
And one day reinstate me
Into my government.



There are 15 of them. ;)

So, it's not only the oldest national anthem of the world, but probable also the longest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Het_Wilhelmus


Actually, Wilhelmus is my baptism-name. :shifty:

I will emigrate to England if that happens. I swear: NO WAY I'm singing that song to honor our country!

15 verses! wow that must take ages to sing I'd prefer to dive into a mine instead of having to sing that many verses:help:. How long did it take them to think up that many?! :hmm:

Looks like since about 1572 :hmm:

Actually, there's an argument wether "duytsche" means of "dutch" or "german".

William of Orange certainly was of german blood, as Hesse-Nassau is nowhere near the present netherlands. But on the other hand, back in the 16th century, dutch and german was not yet as problematic as post 1940..
Anyway, Wilhelmus was quite popular as a protestant combat song in the 30 years war in Germany as well, and apparently used as a choral even later, as the protestant states and church of Germany always regarded the netherlands as something of a role model.
But "oldest anthem" is a problem, as Wilhelmus was certainly THE national song of the Netherlands, but not the official anthem of the Netherlands until 1932.
The Kimigayo of Japan exists since the 10th century, as a song of reverence to the Tenno, but also was not a formal national anthem until the 1870s, when it was rearranged for a western style orchestra by a german composer working in Meji Japan.
I suppose the british "god save" really has to be considered the oldest. Haydns Kaiserlied (present day german anthem with different text) is also quite old, but the state it stood for (Habsburg Austria-Hungary) does not exist anymore.

Hmm the less than popular 3rd verse

Lord, grant that Marshal Wade, May by thy mighty aid, Victory bring. May he sedition hush and like a torrent rush, Rebellious Scots to crush, God save the King. So I think we can take that as pro Union:know:

I just bloody knew it!! :lol:
I was wondering when someone aws going to post that verse :up:

We use to sing just the two first verses. ;)

That brought a smile to my face too, but I prefer the Emperors theme tune......

Naa naa naa, na na naaaaaa na na naaaaaaaaaaa.:rock: :rock: :rock:

Does anyone remember when an Irish guy won the boxing in the 92 olympics and they couldn't find the Irish national anthem so they played 'Danny Boy' instead? :up: Superb - the guy just couldn't stop crying. Brilliant choice.

(note: It is entirley possible I drempt this but I'm pretty sure it happened...:D)

Don't like 'God save the Queen' though - dreary nonsense. I'd go for the Billy Bragg one. Mind you, I think he should be prime minister anyway.

Wow well I guess a good national anthem takes time :).

I do...not sure of which year though :hmm:

It had to be the Irish :lol:

Beat me to it :D

Just wondering how long will it be till I get a suitable girly picture?

Hilarious title, and the fact that the creator is in the brig makes it even better.

What'd I do without this site:rotfl:?

Bah, just adopt the German anthem. As a matter of fact, all nations should adopt the German anthem. Prettiest tune I ever heard:up:.

German National anthem does sound good and I know some of it!:rock:

Oh and this is to all Kraftwerk fans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP1tkspU5yw&playnext=1