As you note, democracy fails the people. The only way to ensure the politicians serve the people is if the monarch makes them accountable for not doing so. That's why an absolute monarchy is better for the common man than a constitutional monarchy.
Those Britons indeed have very colourful melodies. I am a h u n btw. As a dry land dweller who has no idea of seafaring I can enjoy the music of the islanders.
Britain was glorious because of democracy, not because of empire... So if you support empire more than democracy, then shut up you tyrant! You enemy of the Free world!
Thank you, I wonder if you happen to know when this was written and why. Not many British People know most people attach an incorrect interpretation. You may knowbthe correct answer but if not ask and I can tell you. 👍🇬🇧
As a Dutch person who is pretty patriotic I have to say that I have respect for the Britons and I am proud since we had legendary battles throughout the centuries
I tell you what, lets make life interesting "Rule Britannia, Land Of Hope And Glory and The National anthem (God Save The King) full blast outside an immigration centre, see how long it would take before the police were called for racist behaviour!!
I agree, it's far better than the current anthem. It might be a bit controversial given the lyrics of the chorus and Britain's history with slavery. That's not my opinion, I'm just hazarding a guess.
@@Gr0nal Britain's history with slavery is actually quite good: yes we were the single biggest slaver in history, but we were also the first country to stand up and say no more, people forget that Britain didn't just outlaw slavery for itself, it enforced that ban on the entire world even against its allies with things like the west and east African squadrons effectively blockading an entire continent for nearly 25 years.
@@JLM1883 All American film have the British as the villian, they need an accent that's not American, it goes right back to Disney's Peter Pan and probable earlier...
I would not claim to be ultra-patriotic by any means, but it was very refreshing to hear an "authentic" performance of this piece. I also thanked the Frenchman who made such a generous comment see below! Shall I give it a Like??
@@elliskaranikolaou2550 where are u from, do they just not understand what metaphors are in your country/language ? humans have not even been alive for "all time" never mind the British empire like come on surely your not serious🤣, they were controlled and apart off the roman empire at one point that's literally where the name Britannia comes🤦♂. and even after their monarch is still head of state in a lot of territory's/country's around the world they just changed the name from empire (15 with the biggest/mains ones other than themselves being Canada, Australia and new Zealand )
@@herbivorethecarnivore8447 Get over it, dude. All empires did the same back in the day. All over the world. The British were actually the first in the world to abolish slavery!
@@herbivorethecarnivore8447 Did anyone say it was OK? We're saying it's history - learn from it and move on. Stop holding a grudge on the people of today who've got nothing to do with the past.
It was recorde to celebrare the victorious return of admiral Vernon from Cartagena de Indias with the spanish's gold...but I think it did not happen, and speak about it had deatht penalty.
As much as we fought and struggled and shed blood for our independence from your empire, I believe that the United States has ever had respect and love for Britain, and I hope that our friendship will endure. Certainly in the terrible crisis of the second World War the world found that indeed manly hearts were there to defend the fair.
Just remember, due to the various colonies and other territories that decided to remain In the empire the sun still has not set on the empire! There is still hope! Not really, but I wouldn’t mind it coming back.
For this Yank I though RB was the Nations Anthem.... To wonder how such a small country ruled nearly 3/4 of the world in one way or another just amazing. I have been on this earth more than 7 decades and the late Queen was the greatest monarch of the 20 and 21st centuries. RIP dear soul. King Charles III May you have good health and rule your peoples with honor and as well as you did your late mum. Pax+
Very true, but a truthful and balanced comment would recognize that slavery has been practiced worldwide, by most regions and countries, from the year dot. Also it still continues in certain countries. Most important of all though is that Britain, alone amongst all countries, abolished all slavery around 1830. Furthermore, a vast amount of British blood and treasure was expended in enforcing the slavery ban internationally and forcing many other countries to stop this odious trade. Britain has much to be intensely proud of in its history. Also, Britain was involved in the slave trade for a relatively short period compared to many other countries. Credit where credit's due!
@@petercaseley5995 1102 it was abolished on english soil, it was also consistently held that foreign slaves became free merely by setting foot in england. Granted it took us a little longer to impose it on the colonies whilst we were addressing other issues like their burning women alive. We also stood against the world to end the international slave trade, at such great cost that it was still being paid off within the lifetime of the majority of our population.
@@commentary1035 if that's true please tell me how much one had to pay for one that's before we banned it and many sailors lost their lives fighting the slave traders . I should think the prices increased once banned. Sir Thomas Raffles also banned Slavery in Indonesia when he was governor of Jakarta So if you are in the know about slavery , you should know the going price all those years ago.
British empire was a mixed bag as all empires are, did some terrible things and some great things. Whatever your opinion you cannot deny that a small island ruling 1/4 of the world is an incredible achievement
@@xeganxerxes4319 Your country, unfortunately, has become degenerate and decadent! It's like a rotten apple that fell to the ground ready to decompose...
Diversity. It will be the end of you. But you're too afraid of being called rasist, so you will do nothing. And your people will become a hated minority. Then a legend.
Considering that the next few hundred years after the lyrics came to be only served to prove the songs words true is telling of how great we were, and continued to be.
@@k.umquat8604 Modern times suck universally, for the UK as well as everyone else, what's your point? You're on a video of Rule Britannia and trying to flex on Britain?
@@k.umquat8604 There was no flexing, it is historical fact that the period after the song's creation was the Pax Britannica (British Peace) for the world, where Britain was the global superpower.
@@joecal97what exactly do mean with “Pax Britannia”: The Crimean war? The two wars in Afghanistan? The war against the Boer republics? The bloody war against the Sepoy Uprising in India or against the Mahdi “rebells“ in the Sudan or the British participation in the war against the Boxers in the Chinese empire? And what about the so-called Opium war which destroyed so many lives in China by hard drugs? Or maybe you maybe the brutal war of the British and the French troops on the territory of the Ottoman empire during the First World War? Not to forget the wars and hard “civilizing” policy against indigenous peoples in Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, and North America. Is that your “Pax Britannica”?
@@Ggdivhjkjl If you are referring to Canute of the North Sea Empire then probably no since most of my ancestors come from northern or eastern Sweden. Not the small areas under either Norway or Denmark at the time
As a foreign tourist to the UK I can confirm this is 100% true. Already on the plane I saw from the sky that the UK is a country arising from out the azure main all the time. Frankly, after a few days it was a bit annoying seeing the charters of the land everywhere. But what I hated the most were the tyrants. I even told one of them: "You'll ne'er shall tame, won't you? Why are you being so haughty?" He replied to me: "Work your vow, bro." So I aroused my gen'erous flame and renowned. Apart from that it was quite OK-ish.
This really is the only version. Any additions were populist in nature and outside the hands of the composer sadly. The composition serves as an order being given out “RULE THE WAVES!” Not “RULES” The public sing it using the latter wording which changes the basis of the song.
Indeed the true version! The anthem was composed as an order to RULE the waves.Not as a given that Britannia RULES the waves. When sung in the latter fashion it changes the whole meaning of the song.
Exactly. And it is a celebration of Great Britain, and its long history of freedom from enslavement. Despite what we are told by the Woke there is no mention of colonialism in this song.
Britain was glorious because of democracy, not because of empire... So if you support empire more than democracy, then shut up you tyrant! You enemy of the Free world!...
This song makes me nostalgic for a time hundreds of years before my birth. I love the romance of the empire. Perhaps if the British acted like they believed the lyrics they'd still have a global empire.
Dios a dotado a la raza britanica con un Imperio Global,no lo olviden compatriotas britanicos,El Imperio Britanico de las islas de Gran Bretaña es el Imperio donde el sol nunca se pone ni se pondrán 🇬🇧
I am a Chinese living in Hong kong. I would say that the British brought civilization and democracy to the east in olden days.Although this may not be the original purpose of the British Empire.
I am looking forward to visiting Hong Kong again The last time I was there was in 1964 at Dodwells ridge close to Fan Ling . We were only called to the island when there was trouble. The last time I was on the island we threw some American sailors with big mouths in the harbour Black water white uniform. Loved Kowloon.
Please Britannia, send forth our King to Australia to henceforth bring about the fall of our corrupt haughty tyrants ruining our once great colony, and rule us with might & valour. Let us set our gaze upon the shores & rejoice at the sight of your arrival once more.
Britain was glorious because of democracy, not because of empire... So if you support empire more than democracy, then shut up you tyrant! You enemy of the Free world!..... British wasn’t distinguished because of an empire since all other countries were also empires... Britain was distinguished because of democracy If you can’t understand this, then you are a traitor to the British glorious revolution
@@rashidahmad7830Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands? There's probably one I'm forgetting
The 1700s were incredible, someone born in 1699 could have seen 5 monarchs (William III, Anne, George I, II, and III) the unification of England and Scotland, the personal union of Hanover, four Jacobite rebellions, the triumph over France in the seven years war, the loss of 13 of the 14 colonies in North America, the British East India company rising and taking over a subcontinent, all in just about 70 years
I'm an 🇦🇺 Australian, Yes the empire has grown up, I've got in my oldest memory, trying to sing God save the Queen, so yes i know every word to God save The king, The empire isn't gone, it changed it's name 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 The Commonwealth, Australia is and always be part of the Empire/Commonwealth. My official country's name is, The Commonwealth of Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
"Britannia rule the waves" and "Britons never will be slaves" make me sad, because after Britain fought two world wars in the interests of their enemies, they lost their empire and became slaves. Now Britons aren't even allowed to defend themselves if an immigrant tries to knife them in the street, and they will get in trouble if they complain. It is strange in the history of the world that being victorious in battle makes your children into slaves, but I guess that's what happens when you fight for your enemies.
England should not have fought Germany during WW II... because Adolf's spirit was true about white supremacy... Adolf's fall during WW II was the beginning of the defeat of Europe & colonialism
technically England won WW II but England lost because Germany's defeat during WW II was the start of the downfall of European colonialism & imperialism.
American interested in British history here. I’m not that familiar with British patriotic songs for obvious reasons. How is this version different from the current one?
I’m guessing it differs in the fact that it uses words from old English (such as thou) as opposed to their modern equivalents. Hope this helps, lots of respect for you chaps across the pond! 🇬🇧🇺🇸
I'm not British either, but the main difference is the refrain: "Rule, Britainnia! Britannia, rule the waves! Britons never will be slaves!" The 'never' in the original is almost always replaced with 'never, never, never', and sometimes 'rule' becomes 'rules' and/or 'will' becomes 'shall'. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the instrumental flourishes between the lines of the verses usually are removed.
The year 1740, near the upper end of the High Baroque -- a period of music in its very purest form -- is splendidly represented by this wondrous piece of majestic intricacy and great emotional depth. Certainly, nothing in the ensuing 19th Century -- mostly a period of great noise rather than music -- would ever replicate such quality as this exemplary piece.
Britons, be Britons forever and never be slaves of any "progressive" ideologies. Don't let anyone change your identity. Stay being British. Greetings from Japan with much respect.
The Irony is that the mile was once part of Britain's official unit of measure which evolved from the original form of English Units until the Imperial System's Adoption in 1826. The Imperial system remained largely Britain's unit of measure until the 1970s and 80s when metrication was mostly complete. Although the metric system is the dominant form of measure in the UK and EU, in some places in the UK some forms of measure are still carried out in imperial units; most notably units of volume and weight. The use of imperial length and width measurements in housing, clothing sizes, food sold by length or width, and Television sizes are still carried out in imperial measurements. Other exceptions also apply.
Surpizingly, many of the images taken to ilustrate this video were from the movie "The Patriot", when the colonists fought against G.B for their independence. An irony? Any way, the lirics and the music are hard to forgett. BTW: wasen´t the music writen by Häendell? Greetings from Argentina.
A BEAUTIFUL PATRIOTIC SONG!!! Written at time when Men where real MEN and didn't sit in Pubs all day and waste time watching football etc. I can't imagine any of them " Taking the knee" to any other man/ woman from another race or creed.
Does anyone remember the silly little ditty:- Rule Britannia Marmalade and jam Two pork sausages For my old man ? We thought it was funny when we were young. I wonder now how many times my mates and I swaggered down the street singing our little anthem, and how many men and women passed us by and thought Why did we bother?
There neither ever was, nor ever will be anything greater than the British Empire. She was not perfect, but she was born of greatness, and she gave birth to greatness. She is, more than any other symbol, a monument to the fact that humanity has the capacity to be, to imagine, and to become greater than the sum of its parts.
Ironically, when this song was written, Britannia did NOT rule the waves. The Royal Navy was certainly respected, but the French and Spanish navies were both competitive. Then Trafalgar happened and the Royal Navy trounced both of them at once, becoming the undisputed top dog for the next hundred years.
Have you ever seen the entire opera this is from? It's flipping mental, like proper trippy. Also ironically it was written and performed as an attack on George I in order to turn popular support to his son instead so it was basically treason
Where did you see it? And also, can you share any references about its original intenion as an attack on George I, etc.? And also, why are we all watching this in the last month...?
Actually it was written to commemorate the accession of King George I and the birthday of Princess Augusta, daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales. Not a lot of point in attacking George I as he died in 1727 and this wasn't written until 1740.
I used to just do whatever I wanted, had a channel poll and the overwhelming majority was to focus only on British music, all my non british/commonwealth songs are now unlisted.
Britain, in order to save your country and not be 'slaves' of a corrupt few in your government destroying you. Please have this song sung all over and remember who you are! Remember and start ousting those that decay you from within by sending back home. Reclaim your soul, culture, language, law, traditions. God bless Britain!!
