Yes, you have hit the nail on the head. I would be embarrassed to sing "Land of Hope and Glory" or "Rule Britannia" with full seriousness rather than as a recreational and good-natured activity as the UK's "bounds" have been shrinking rather than being set wider and I could only support a metaphorical future widening (in terms of soft power); and I doubt if Britain still rules the waves any longer as the Royal Navy is much smaller than before. In contrast, I have absolutely no problem in singing "Jerusalem" with complete conviction and sincerity.
@@MrBulky992 That's our problem Keith. WHY should you feel embarrassed to sing our British patriotic songs??? Because you've been influenced by our left with self apologetic fools that think we should be saying sorry for everything that has happened since the Romans left our shores. Man up, for goodness sake!!
@@bigglestheflyboy Perhaps I exaggerated a little: I'm not embarrassed to sing them - I sing in a choir so have to sing all sorts of stuff without thinking too much about what the words mean or whether I agree with them. I would, however, be embarrassed to think that others thought I was 100% invested in the words of these traditional songs which were of their time. When I was at school in the '60s, I was a little nervous about that line in "I vow to thee, my country" which runs "the love that asks no question" because it occurred to me that personal conscience should trump patriotism regardless of whichever nation to which you belong e.g. Nazi Germany. "Britannia, rule the waves" I can stomach (especially after the Falklands War - it's as well we did), but I am totally behind "Britons never shall be slaves" (which, I am told, is now regarded as racist for daring to mention the word "slaves"). The last four lines of "Land of hope and glory" I can get behind but only metaphorically: ideas not territory. "Jerusalem", on the other hand, has words I can sing without any reservation and are as relevant today as when they were written. All of these songs and others of the same ilk should be taught in schools even if rebellious pupils refuse or snowflakes are "triggered". I was shocked to hear that they do not even teach the National Anthem in many or most. The British-based and funded Chineke! Orchestra were asked by their Swiss hosts at Lucerne to play "God save the King" following the Queen's death and refused on the grounds of the alleged racism/colonialism inherent in it.
@@bigglestheflyboy Nothing to do with the Left, it's nothing to do with politics at all!!! We aren't apologetic for our historical music. We are rightfully apologetic for specific horrors we instigated in the past and in the present. We did 'rule the waves', we did aspire to build 'Jerusalem', we do life in a land of 'hope and glory'. Well, not so much nowadays on that latter one, more hope, less glory, and since you made it political, we've been at the mercy of a merciless government for over a decade and we're suffering for it. Not that many people feel like singing at all, let alone singing glorious songs of triumph and success. If I had to sum it up, the right are idealists and the left are realists. If we met somewhere in the middle we'd all be a lot happier, and maybe we'd be singing in the streets about our great nation.
As an Englishwoman I consider Jerusalem Englands national anthem, I'm 57 years old and it still brings me to tears hearing or singing it. Beautuliful words and music 🏴🇬🇧
It's a Christian song. I know the king is the head of the church but the majority of us aren't Christians so I don't think it's representative of the nation. We need to write a new anthem, it's not like we don't have the talent to do it.
@@WIDGIEngland's very existence is built on Christianity and Christian values. You may not feel it represents you, thats fine but a lot of people feel it does represent our country. It's a tradition, do you think every national anthem represents the whole population of that nation, well they probably don't but I dont hear any other countries demeaning traditional hymns and songs.
@@jacquie58 Thank you I don't think I have ever waved a union flag in my 72 years but I served as a soldier proudly for 6 years and always tried to conduct myself respectfully as a representative of my country when abroad. Long may the UK be an influence for good in the world.
as a german I can appreciate that. Although all your anthems are very moving, lyrically 'I vow to thee, my country' I like the most. Steve should listen to this as well.
You may not hear it, but it is not at all uncommon. Where I grew up in the south, many of us come from English and Scottish roots. Our music has ties to this--in tenor and instrumentation. Our churches are all of British denominations--Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian. I, myself, often find myself to an Evensong for peace and worship after work, streaming from Durham, Chichester, Ely, Salisbury, Beverley and the like. John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers carol into my heart. I listen to a British History podcast. We have our own history, but I think many of the best parts of it were built on our foundations in English heart, freedom, common law, and faith. America would not be what it is (sadly, in many respects was) were it not for those early English forefathers.
I’m going to a concert in a few nights in our small town in the US because they’re doing Zadok the Priest and I Was Glad. You can’t beat the Brits for anthems and hymns.
There are many many Anglophiles in the US. We do not shout or grasp our chests either. I know the words of these songs, have read until adulthood mainly British books and literature. I stole a book of Wm, Blakes poems when in HS from my school library and had his paintings pinned up in my room, read British history, visited your country, loved your Queen so sadly just passed. Your great composers and pop and rock sensations. I will not go on. Hear this - what you see on TV or the popular media is not all there is to know about the US. My ancestry is half British on father's and mother's side; Virginia 1667 & New York 1656.
@@CMartel002 Thank you for these words. As an Englishman myself, I have a strange pride in the accomplishment and bravery of those who travelled overseas to build another life back then, and the strong ties they have to our own history and ancestory. I dislike tensions between the US and Britain real or imagined, it feels wrong to me and I hope we respect the shared history and continue moving forward as allies. I think we're tolerating far too much dishonesty, misinformation and disrespect of our cultures and history these days. Everyone to me is welcome in Britain as my neighbour no matter where you are from so long as you strive towards the values that made it a great place to exist in the first place.
@@emb74 Except they were written by Handel who just happened to be German. Mind you I agree with a Classic FM presenter who said that Handel's mastery of the use of strings should be enough to make him an honourary Englishman
If you can find the words to Jerusalem, the passion with which it is sung will blow your mind. As an Englishwoman, it moves me to tears EVERY time I hear it.😎🏴🇬🇧
That’s a rather unusual playing of God Save the Queen.The N.I,Welsh and Scots have their own songs or anthems and Jerusalem is considered the song or anthem for England and is used when we are playing sports etc just as England and not U.K.
Jerusalem never fails to bring a tear to my eyes. Here are the lyrics: 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? And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among these dark Satanic mills? Bring me my bow of burning gold: Bring me my arrows of desire: Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire. I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand Till we have built Jerusalem In England's green and pleasant land.
these words were written by William Blake when he lived in a little village called Felpham in West Sussex, a mere 4 miles from were I live, the village were I went to school for 6yrs late 70's early 80's. makes me proud to be English.
@@2eleven48 The war-like words are clearly meant metaphorically. So no going actually to war, but doing what you can to bring "Heavenly Jerusalem", i.e. paradise, to England.
Jerusalem tells the story of the young Jesus, Who visited Somerset with his relative Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a tin merchant who did business overthere.
Royalist doesn't come into it. Royalist is a term from the 1600s. Monarchist if you want, patriotic is more apt. Jerusalem is England's patriotic anthem. God Save the King is Britain's national anthem and as a Welshman you can sing it proudly. God Save the King!
100% agree the Welsh and Scots have their own nation anthems more of a national identity I honestly hope one day we can get Jerusalem England's national anthem it is beautiful and just use god save the king for when its for GB/UK
I just want a good anthem for us to sing at the footie, like you Welsh lads and the Jocks have. God Save the King really doesn’t have the same effect like 50,000 people singing land of my fathers or flower of Scotland.
A proud people with a wonderful heritage. I served and fought alongside them in Afghanistan and Iraq and would gladly do so again. Some of the finest soldiers in the world and I'm an American saying that. May God bless and keep always the United Kingdom and her people.
Despite our digs at each other (Aussies, Canadians and Kiwis too) it's like siblings - we can have a go at each other BUT if an outsider has a go at one of us ALL of us have a go back!!
@@vp5633 I think you will find that most people at least know the words to the first verse, which for most people is all that counts. One hell of a lot of us know Jerusalem by heart as well.
If you are a true English man or woman and this doesn’t get you there’s some wrong with you it makes me feel proud of my Birthright and the tears flow RIP YOUR MAJESTY 🏴🇬🇧
Robert Langley sending so much love to you I’m exactly the same I love England and Great Britain We are proud to be British and we need to say this more often God bless you 💙
@davidheath3835 And also your history is marked by looting, robbery, and stained with innocent blood. You have devastated almost everything in every place the British have set foot. If not, ask in your colonies. Apart from the fact that you believe you are the center of the world
@@SpookyFox1000 of course they do.. it’s a beautiful powerful country… proven by the fact so many from al over the world want to be a part of it, like you said…..
One danger we do face, is the increasing attitude that considers and believes the long protected Green Belt is no longer required. If only the importance of the Green Belt in minimising the extreme effects of weather was correctly taught in Schools.
We used to sing hymns every morning at school. I'm 63 years old now and Jerusalem was and still is my favourite hymn, made me cry then and I still cry now. Over 50 years have gone by and I still remember the words and my time singing them in the school assembly
I'm 53 and we always sang in morning assembly as well as morning prayer, it in some strange way made the day better... Now schools do nothing because of all the diversity crap, we should bring back the lord's prayer in morning assembly and hymns... We are after all a Catholic country and we need to bring it back because its becoming to Islamic..
I lost the use of my legs fighting for my country, and other injuries incurred have shortened my life, but if I could, I would give the rest of myself for my country and my country folk, I love both dearly. Thanks for this video, the expression on your face was great to see 👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
Sparky duriung WW2 when there was the possibility of us being invaded my Mother said that if the bad man came she would take me to some caverns to hide me. and then she would go off to fight for us.her brother was captured at the Fall of Singapore, and was sent to work on The Burma Railway. I went to Liverpool docks to see the ship coming iun put it was stranded at the Mersey Bar I couldn't enter the Port because of "Fever" abd that was a sight I have never ever been ab;l to get out o9f mind, I love my country and the valiat you men and women who keep us safe. I think with us being such a small country it made a big difference our communities pulled together
Came across this video. Though I am American, have been a big admirer of the Royal Family for years. Not ashamed to say I got very tearful thinking in my lifetime we will never again sing God Save The Queen. Long live The King.
IAM not English but Brtish (colonial)(Cyprus) but every time I hear Jerusalem i just wanted to cry Don't get me wrong I love my country with all my heart ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ just as much were i lived in England i
As a Canadian I tear up at the beauty and the patriotism. My Mum was an English war bride from London and my Dad was in the R.C.A.F. stationed in the UK for part of WWII. On her side I have relatives in England and Wales and on my Dad’s side, relatives in Scotland so I feel a deep sense of patriotism not only to Canada, but also to the UK. As a Canadian and part of the Commonwealth the UK is not just another country, it’s family and we feel the loss of our beautiful Queen Elizabeth deeply.
For a fellow subject, whatever is ours is yours. Have you ever heard that Canadian poem about going to fight in the war? You might be interested or moved given your own genesis. "Why should we fight" he asked me, "'Cause England is at war? Why are they fighting now, Dad, What are they fighting for? What does it mean to you, Dad, To babes, and mum, and me? The Germans won't come here From away across the sea. So why should you go there, Dad, And leave us here to cry? Is it cause England owns us? Is that the reason why?" His eyes look widely at me, I tightly held my son, And this is how I answered, His questions one by one. "We fight when England calls us, For in her sacred keep The ashes of our fathers Lie in her soil asleep. And many times for England They fought that she'd be free, And they are part of England, And so, my son, are we. And some may pass her by, lad, And some may scorn her hand, But we must be forever A part of that fair land. For everything we have son, That's good and fine and just Was washed in British blood And given to us on trust. "And we must keep that trust, son, Against the force of greed. And fight beside old England Whenever she's in need. And once again she's calling Across the Empire wide, And all her Empire answers: "You'll find us at your side" Oh yes, we're owned by England, But we own England, too, As you are part of me son, And I am part of you" Harold Wood, Ontario, Canada
@@blazednlovinit I am a new subscriber on this channel and just viewing one or two of the posts. I wanted to thank you for posting this beautiful poem which truly touched my heart. ♥️ I live in a village on the South Coast of England and have listened to tales from older folk of the Canadian servicemen who set up camp on local parkland in our village (grounds which I walk to this day) just before D day as our village flanks some of the beaches from which they departed. So it is easy to envisage them as there are still remnants of the preparations for this deployment that can be seen on the shoreline today. I should also say my dear old mum lived in the nearby town where the American personnel were also camped and has often recounted how as a young girl she remembers they would give their sweets (candy) to the local children and how all of a sudden one morning the field upon which they had been camped was empty as if they had never been there. Little did she know then that they were headed across the sea to make history! 💞
@@lorraineyoung102 you are very welcome Lorraine, it is a lovely poem some Canadian once sent me. UK and US seem to fight one another over glory but the Empire forces didn't need to join that war and never seem to seek recognition for it. Volunteering to die for a land they had never set foot in.
Cheryl A you are our cousin. I have amazing friends in Canada 🇨🇦 they had me singing “I am Canadian “ when I was there and referred to me as their cousin amazing people 🥰
Six months on from the death of our beloved Queen, it just broke me to hear that rendition of our national anthem, it was just so lovely. I am very proud to also now sing God Save the King, but that was very special, thank you Steve.
I guarantee,that everyone there,that night,singing Jerusalem,felt their heart swelling in their chest.❤️🇬🇧 And their heart flutter,singing God save the Queen.We loved her.
I love, respect and admire the Brits traditions and patriotism so much that I wish i was British. Have to settle for once removed. My parents are Brits. Britain is in my DNA...my spiritual home.🇦🇺🇬🇧
Now that her Majesty has passed this was really hard to watch Jerusalem always brings a tear to my eye but to hear that haunting rendition of GOD SAVE THE QUEEN was heartbreaking. The patriotism in the UK 🇬🇧 is unlike anywhere else in the World. May Her Majesty REST IN PEACE 🇬🇧🇬🇧
Brits take incredible pride in their Monarch and are very Patriotic on levels that no other nation will ever know. There wasn't a single person in the theatre or in the massive crowds that didn't sing the National Anthem or who didn't have a Union Jack, the flag of England or the Royal Standard waving. THAT'S PATRIOTISM. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is sorely missed and cherished. Rest In Peace ma'am. It was a honor to honor You.
Awwwwh! Hearing, God Save The Queen made me feel quite tearful🥹. Jerusalem is my favourite. Always sang it at the top of my tone deaf voice when a crowd ❤ Of course it was a sad rendition when you heard God Save The King. We were in mourning for the Queen. Thanks for the great reaction 🥰. Much appreciated 🥰
The hymn was originally penned as a poem by William Blake in 1804, but the lyrics were added to Parry's music in 1916 during the gloom of World War I when the uplifting new English hymn was well received. Sir Hubert Parry wrote the music for Jerusalem.
@@stephwaite2700 me too. Its more appropriate. I love Jerusalem, and I know what it means in a metaphorical sense, but theres always that twang of real life truth that the city of Jerusalem has so much unrest, & its not English. I'm sure thats much beauty in Jerusalem & I would like to visit it one day, but its not an ideal place to live. I Vow To Thee My Country, is perfect, even though it has a hint of saddness, its sums up the feels of England.
@@stephwaite2700 the only problem with "I vow to thee" is that "World in Union" (Rugby World Cup anthem) is also set to Thaxted from Holst's Jupiter theme.
@@stephwaite2700 the music is the middle part of Jupiter from the planets suite by Holst, and it's more of a furneral dirge the GSTK. Love the words....just not the music it's set to, dispite the Planets being my fav classical pieces.
If there is one single song that completely fills me with pride it is Jerusalem,gets me every single time and reminds me of what a great country this is and how lucky i am to have been born here🏴🙂👍
Just watched this video, songs I've seen and heard many times at the Proms and other places and the tears simply streamed out of me, down my cheeks like a flood. My Queen is dead and I'm still mourning for her. I thought I had grown used to her passing but it would seem not, not quite. GOD SAVE THE KING!
Although forever a great patriot and monarchist I have never before cried when the national anthem was played but on this occasion I too found tears flowing. The queens passing has had a profound effect on many.
I'm with you Colin, it's now over two months since the Queen's death and I'm sitting here in Australia weeping! So glad I found this wonderful channel.
Just as a background, as a schoolboy from the 50's and 60's everyday at assembly we sang this song along with the 23rd Psalm, did you notice how everyone sung this from memory...
Unfortunately things like that at British schools are temporarily suspended. Meanwhile at mere rehersals for sports day in Japan, the kids all face the Emperor's palace and belt out Kimigayo. Kigen2600nen would be nice, too, but you can't have everything, eh?
I am a football can (soccer), and never really liked Rugby as a sport to watch, but as a young child, sometimes I would watch an England Rugby match on TV, and even as a young kid that knew nothing about the song Jerusalem or the words, to see 70,000 or more England fans sing it with all their hearts before the game, just made me stop and stare in awe, and even made me shed a tear. As a young kid! There is just something so powerful and moving about the "sound" of the song, it just grabs a hold of your very soul. Later in life when I actually viewed the words as it was sung, the emotion went to another level.
Do you know I Vow To Thee, My Country? That one makes me cry, first time I heard it I barely knew the meaning of patriotism, I was about 12, and it made me cry, as a kid with no interest in classical music it really threw me.
There is a large professional choir behind the orchestra, but as you can see (and hear) from the video, there are clearly thousands of audience members also singing along, and it’s definitely impressive. They’re such well-known and well-loved national songs. I’ve been to the Proms but not the Last Night. It would be my dream to attend this.
I went once to the Royal Albert Hall...I was seated in the choir...I still have dreams of that night. I always dream I am looking down between my feet watching the drummer, almost exactly above his head. ..and of course I was watching the back of the singer's head. That was Ella Fitzgerald.
When i hear our national anthem I really touches me and always shed a tear. I love it especially when it kicks in with second verse. Rest in piece our late Queen someone who will go down in history as the best British Monach who I truly miss ❤😢🇬🇧
It is really heartwarming to see an American enjoy our patriotic time. We are not outwardly loud about the pride we have in our country but we love it nonetheless. Thank you
Ha!😄 I can't give you a Thumbs Up because I absolutely disagree but I certainly won't give you a Thumbs Down either 😏 As a child of the late Sixties I could theoretically have had piano lessons with Britten, but despite also a) being sons of East Anglia b) attending the same school and c) sharing the same proclivities, our paths never crossed. Particularly that last commonality might have led to an expectation of much overlap of musical tastes. I love Tchaikovsky who I am sure channelled much personal torment into a large part of his output, as did Britten - who also had a unique and special relationship with Tchaikovsky's music. Britten was undoubtedly influenced by previous generations, but experimented with novel forms too, some of which made it into finished scores. All of which is to say that over the years the way music sounds changes and fact is I love Baroque, Classical and Romantic but too much after the 1890s I'm less keen. I can hoover up hours and hours of Donizetti and Bellini - even the genius of Verdi is just starting to be a little bit less user friendly and honestly, I come out in hives with Puccini! I mean, good for you for liking Britten's endeavour to freshen up the National Anthem but as for it being the "best" version? Naturally if that's your opinion, so be it but I felt it was a teensy bit like putting a dowager countess in a pencil skirt and a tanktop. No, I like the old maritime Georgian dirge evoking former glory just as it is, thank you!😄😍
Bro, New Zealander here, the American revolution is the greatest thing that ever happened, but the UK's commitment to liberty is awesome. God I love Jeruselam, I Vow to Thee my County, and other great UK anthems here.
It’s nice to meet a fellow American that has such appreciation for Britains patriotic music. The patriotism displayed by the Brits is amazing and tends to make me tear up as well. Another favorite of mine is I Vow To Thee My Country. You should listen to the sung and instrumental versions. It is absolutely amazing!
The lift my spirit gets when I hear the crowd sing Jerusalem on The Last Night of the Proms is beyond description. Ever since I was a small boy I have loved this song and been extremely moved by it. It fills me with joy, pride and my eyes tear up for reasons I do not know.
As an American who discovered the Royal Albert Hall, BBC "Last Night of the Proms" concert broadcast on PBS decades ago....and ever since wanted to go.. Congratulations to you and your friends for introducing it to a new group of Americans. Every year the bulk of this concert is different, but always an orchestral and choral crowd pleaser, and it always ends with the same soul-stirring and heart-stopping finale numbers. Thank you for your presentation of two of them, Jerusalem and God Save the Queen. thanks to you tube you can now finds years of these Proms events online....and you'll love all the other traditional finale numbers.
Nothing but nothing stirs the soul of an Englishman more so than than trying too sing jerusalem without choking on your emotions. Great vid dude and great to see your appreciation.
I, m English but l also love listening to the Welsh mens choir singing all through the night it seems to make me seem at peace with the world it is beautiful
I loved this as well. Here in southern Appalachia in the Carolina colony where I hail from, my Sussex county and rural Scotland roots run deep. RULE BRITTAINIA and VIVA UKRAINE!
I love this song and tear up when it is sung. A Canadian who is proud of her British and Welsh heritage. I miss The Queen so much. Rest In Peace Your Majesty.
On a bus between Sydney and Thredbo, someone started singing softly Land of Hope and Glory, Within a few words many were singing quietly and reverently, we were British a long way from home. It was a magic moment more than 50 years ago that is still in my heart
Many thanks for your reactions to Jerusalem and God Save the Queen. Being Scottish even I react to these songs. And I will admit that I had tears at the end. I have been lucky to attend a few proms nights. And I can Honestly say that it's something you should try to get to one. Many thanks
Well I'm extremely proud of my country of England and you should be extremely proud of yours as im sure you are,Britain is one remarkable place on this earth and from top to bottom it has achieved totally amazing things🇬🇧👍
Wonderful to see the deep patriotic fervour and, respect so emotionally displayed by all these attendees. Proud of my country and, listened to the video with tingles from head to toes! Thank you. ❤️🇬🇧❤️
Because we are passionate about our heritage. I am an American citizen living in Ohio . But as proud as l am of that l will always be an English woman. It’s in our bones .
Thank you for doing this! I also had to look up the words for Jerusalem! And this rendition of God save the Queen was wonderful. She was unique and will be greatly missed! I am Canadian and have never known any other Head of State! As the President of France said "To you she was our Queen, to us she was The Queen"!
Whenever I look at this video, and it’s with regularity, it makes me extremely proud to be British. I get goosebumps and tears run down my cheeks. I thank God for my Britishness.
Interestingly enough, I did start to tear up watching this. The massed voices, the music, the heartfeelings of the audience and outside participants, the meaning behind it all...really, very stirring. Thank you for this, mate. Robert, UK.
This is one of my favorites. Was very poignant knowing it was chosen for the wedding and then 16 years later for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. If ever there was a song that summed Diana up, it is I Vow to Thee My Country.
I’m not a fanatical patriot and royalist type of person but this song gets me every time. Whether it’s the imagery that brings to mind the beauty of our country so vividly or simply the uplifting music, I don’t know, but if you’ve ever felt the stinging rain on a moor or stood on a windswept mountain looking down to swathes of farmland and crystal lakes, walked in the sunshine by a green and peaceful river, heard a curlews cry from the North Sea shore or seen a crowded city with every people living, each bringing their own bright thread to the tapestry of our lives and all this can be experienced in just one day….maybe you’ll understand how special, sometimes, this island can be.
We are but a old small quaint island but the cultural punch thrust forth moves continents. the UK projects a colossal amount of soft power (meaning culture arts music finance ) God Save the King is the UK's national Anthem where as England usually uses Jerusalem or Land of Hope and Glory
@@speleokeir well compared to the continental countries like Australia and Russia we are quaint, small doesn't mean weak, its one of the richest pieces of land anywhere on earth not just financially
I have fond memories of learning'Jerusalem' at Primary School in the 1970s. We had hymn practice' twice a week. (not even a church school!) To this day I can sing many hymns by heart despite not being a churchgoer.
Thankyou so much for this. Winderful. So so glad you enjoyed. It brings me to tears to hear so many people raise their voices to sing.and from so many different countries. Looks like there were thousands outside.
Jerusalem with words by William Blake (a very beloved poet of ours) is ....England.. & the older I get (62) the more I cry as I hear it .I'm hoping you'll go check out the words Steve as it's those that mean the most to the English. I could of hugged you watching this, your expression was just perfection throughout both pieces ! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
must have heard it a million times but the anthem always makes me cry and i appreciate how you blinked back tears during the singing ,if yo hear it again and the tears come let them and be proud to enjoy it .
Patriotism is always there in the U.K. but it is usually a "given" with no need to express it. It is below the surface, but it is there, real. living, taken for granted. No need to constantly display pictures of leaders or flags.We are secure enough in it that it seldom needs to be expressed.. Only occasionally do we let such a powerful force "out of the bottle". Keep in mind how this could be harnessed if we were made really angry. A chinese lady I used to know said the only time she felt afraid in England was when she saw the last night of the Proms, because it showed how the British could be if they were properly organized. Incidentally, what you see on TV is a pale shadow of the real thing. (Trust me, I was there!) That "last night" concert is the culmination fo a series of some seventy-plus concerts, and is very much the end of term party. the orcestra is always the BBC Symphony Orchestra, under their principal conductor. In this version the conductor was the late Jiri Belahavic, from the Czech Republic. The concert is a gala event, hence the ladies in coloured dresses rather than formal black and the gentlemen in white jackets. Lots of jokey things from a very dedicated and musically knowledgeable audience. P.S. If you are in London at the right time in mid-September, gettng in is easier tan you might think!
With you all the way there, Ian. I was also astonished at how easy it is to get in, if you know how. Sadly the year I discovered the trick they had space for only one more when I got to the front, and I was with my girlfriend. In 2012 - the one in this video - I went a bit earlier and (with a different girlfriend!) was up in the gods. An epic experience.
Jerusalem was my mum's favourite song as it was her mum's before her and who died prematurely. It was the song that was sung at my mum's funeral. It was also the song of the Women's Institute of which my grandmother was a member throughout the years, and who died before I was born, and of the war with everything that it represented. I'm from Lancashire and when they talked of dark satanic mills, it reminds me of the cotton mills of Lancashire which grew up following the Industrial Revolution which used to number over 100 and is now less than 4, and of its people now long gone, who lived and loved here. People see different things in the song but the history and emotion of it, strikes a chord deep in my heart. It is Jerusalem to me that represents England and the UK and not the national anthem. We were built on manufacturing, and scientific inquiry and our government relies on the service industry such as HSBC and Goldman Sachs with all their scandals and creative accounting.
