BRITISH NATIONAL ANTHEM Project Britain. British Life and Culture by Mandy Barrow

The National Anthem is God Save the Queen. The British National Anthem originated in a patriotic song first performed in 1745. It became known as the National Anthem from the beginning of the nineteenth century.

On official occasions the first verse is sung, as follows:

God save our gracious Queen!
Long live our noble Queen!
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen.

The second verse is occasionally sung as well:

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And give us ever cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen.

When is the British National Anthem sung?

The National Anthem is played whenever The Queen makes a public appearance and is played by the British Broadcasting Corporation every night before closedown.

It is also sung:

• At the end of all Remembrance Day services.
• Medal ceremonies for Team GB (representing all countries).
• England and Northern Ireland football matches (the Scottish use Flower of Scotland, the Welsh use Land of my Fathers - Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.