The Tory government's Department for Education is encouraging schools to sing the 'One Britain One Nation' song this coming Friday. The song has been hailed as a celebration of unity, but a closer inspection of the lyrics has led to an outburst of ridicule on social media with comments such as "Shared values of tolerance, kindness, pride and respect’ are a far cry from the current state of the UK” and “Who decided these were “our values” and when?” Some people are so disgusted with the irony of this song's wording that they are threatening to keep their kids at home on Friday rather than have them sing this "nationalistic crap". Others have suggested it would be more appropriate in North Korea rather than in Britain.
This negativity reminded me of another nationalistic song that appears to be declining in popularity: The National Anthem. As Billy Connolly opined, it's boring, slow, racist and should be replaced by the theme from The Archers. And as for saving the Queen, well, she has been saved and is currently well into her nineties. But when she goes, will that be the end of the Royal Family? Maybe. And maybe not. Personally, I think it's time for a new National Anthem. Not just because it glorifies royalty, but because I can't help associating it with flag-waving, right-wing, tattoo-ed, beer-gutted, Engerrrland football hooligans who cheer their anthem then boo the opposition's. Come to think of it, National is the wrong description. It should be English Anthem. After all, the Scots and Welsh have theirs, and I presume the Northern Irish aren't exactly overjoyed about singing England's anthem. Maybe a united Ireland will happen soon.
Then there's that Rule Britannia song. Ruling the waves? A sentiment that seems somewhat dated nowadays. Seems to be wallowing in past glories. Hardly relevant in these dark, post-Brexit times. And as for ruling the waves, that claim always now reminds of Liar Johnson's waiving the rules in Parliament, with the EU and in numerous other situations.
Which leaves us (us?! I now consider myself rather more European than British) with that jolly old song, Land of Hope and Glory. Er, hope? Glory?
Being one nation, a small island of has beens run by elitist tossers, off the coast of the rest of Europe, is what alarms me most about Brexit. Harping on about how great we used to be when we could be moving forward with the rest of them is just sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat surprises me is that millions of deluded Brits still support this corrupt Tory government and still think Britain is 'Great' and that the Kingdom is 'United'.
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