I can't recall the "Love Thy Neighbour" theme tune but maybe that would be a better anthem for these days of a multi-ethnic Britain.

It changed slightly about ten years ago. It sounds too French now. I'm still not over it.

Exactly, people like to belt out a good tune, especially after a few bevvies, and frankly the issue of whether some or all of the words are ultimate poetry, indisputable fact or a total bunch of crap doesn't even register, and is entirely beside the point.

I mean, I've seen people crying like a baby to "Danny Boy", who don't even drink Guinness.

Heard it sung at Wembley many times and never been roused by it once. Singing in praise of the descendants of illegal immigrants isn't something I'm really in favour of. Land of hope and glory however, especially before the game v the aussies at Wembley back in the 90's was stunning.

A mad dictator would have a song, as national anthem that was all about him/her, with no mention of the country it supposedly represents. I know the queen is titular head but in law, you and I along with everyone else in the UK are the queens subjects. We aren't citizens, nor do we have inviolable rights guaranteed by constitution. Things like the current national anthem help perpetuate this and it basically gets on me nerves.

There’s the version from Human Traffic...

I’m trying to be myself
Understand everyone
It’s a mission and a half

Looking at everyone
Trying to learn something
But I’m getting more confused
It’s hard being cool

Our generation
Alienation
Have we a soul?

Techno emergency
Virtual reality
We’re running out of new ideas
Who is the queen?

I’d like Lemon Jelly’s ‘Nice weather for ducks’.

Leichtenstein

Love thy neighbour,
Walk up and say "How be ya
Gee! But I'm glad to see ya, pal,
How's tricks? What's new?"
Love thy neighbour,
Offer to share his burden,
Tell him to say the word "n"
You will see him through
Especially if there should be
a beautiful girl next door,
Say to that girl next door,
don't think I'm bold
But my mother told me to
Love thy neighbor
And you will find your labor,
A great deal easier,
Life'll be breezier
If you Love Thy Neighbor

That sounds just the ticket.

but if you'd had less beer, or brought an alarm clock ... ?


We are both subjects and citizens, but in fact Parliament and the law reign supreme. You need to face the facts as in the 21st century, this is how in reality it works. Oh and our constitution is just fine (I know, - part of my degree was Constitutional Law) and in a global perspective, I don't perceive British citizens as being comparatively short of rights.

The Queen also, for instance, prosecutes every criminal. I've never seen her in court, though.

And I can't for the life of me think how the national anthem helps perpetuate anything.


well that's fair enough!

Fal de ral de ral do indeed