"God Save the King", alternatively titled "God Save the Queen" if the reigning monarch is female, is the national and royal anthem of the United Kingdom. It is also one of the official national anthems of New Zealand, and the royal anthem of the Commonwealth realms played alongside their respective national anthems.[1][2] Its composer remains unknown to this date, though it might have originated in plainchant; an attribution to the composer John Bull is sometimes made.
"God Save the King" has been the de facto national anthem of the United Kingdom since September 1745. Since 1977, it has also been one of the national anthems used by New Zealand since 1977, and is of equal status to "God Defend New Zealand". It is also the royal anthem, played in the presence of the monarchs, of the aforementioned countries as well as Australia since 1984, Canada since 1980,[3] Belize since 1981,[4] Antigua and Barbuda since 1981,[5] The Bahamas since 1973,[6] and most other Commonwealth realms. There is also a Chinese version of it, allegedly as the unofficial anthem of Weihaiwei between 1898 and 1930, and also an unofficial Cantonese version used by British Hong Kong.
In countries not previously part of the British Empire, the melody of "God Save the King" has provided the basis for various patriotic songs such as France's "Grand Dieu Sauve le Roi", though it is still generally connected with royal ceremony.[7] This tune continues to be used for Liechtenstein's national anthem "Oben am jungen Rhein", and Norway's royal anthem "Kongesangen". In the United States, the melody is used for the patriotic song and former de facto national anthem "My Country, 'Tis of Thee". The melody was also used for "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918, and for "The Prayer of Russians" of the Russian Empire from 1816 to 1833. In Switzerland, it was used for "Rufst du, mein Vaterland".
Beyond the first verse, "God Save the King" has many historic and extant versions. Since its first publication, different verses have been added and removed and, even today, different publications include various selections of verses in various orders.[8] In general, only one verse is sung. Sometimes two verses are sung, and on rare occasions, three.[1].
Lyrics[]
English official[]
| Original text | IPA transcription |
|---|---|
God save our gracious King, |
[ɡɒd seɪv ˈaʊə ˈɡɹeɪ.ʃəs kɪŋ ǀ] |
English original[]
French version used in Canada[]
Dieu protège le Roi
De sa main souveraine !
Vive le Roi !
Qu'un règne glorieux,
Long et victorieux
Rende son peuple heureux.
Vive le Roi ![11]
Māori version used in New Zealand[]
Me tohu e t'Atua
To matou Kingi pai:
Kia ora ia
Meinga kia maia ia,
Kia hari nui, kia koa,
Kia kingi tonu ia,
Tau tini noa.[12]
Latin version[]
O Deus optime
Salvum nunc facito
Regem nostrum
Sic laeta victoria
Comes et gloria
Salvum iam facito
Tu dominum.[13]
Italian version[]
Dio salvi il nostro re,
lunga vita al re,
Dio lo salvi !
A lei vittoria,
a lei la gloria,
regni su noi felice;
Dio salvi il re !
Sorgi o Signore,
fa' i suoi nemici
spersi cader;
frustra gli inganni,
scalza i lor piani,
con lui ch'è nostra speme
Ci salvi insieme !
Spargi o Signore
d'eletti doni
il suo regnar;
leggi ei difenda,
renda felici
chi canta con gran cuor,
Dio salvi il re ![14]
Esperanto version[]
Di' savu la Reĝinon,
Vivu nia Reĝin',
Di' savu ŝin.
Faru ŝin venkinta
Feliĉa kaj glora
Ke ŝi regu longe
Di' savu ŝin.
International usage[]
- Banat Swabians
- Kingdom of Bavaria
- Empire of Brazil
- Ave Glória, Ave Império (used by pro-monarchists)
- Confederate States of America
- God Save the South (some music notes)
- Grand Duchy of Finland
- Laulu Suurelle Ruhtinaalle (Keisarihymni)
- Kingdom of France
- De Notre jeune Roi
- Grand Dieu Sauve le Roi (alledged)
- German Empire
- Heil dir im Siegerkranz (1871–1918)
- Heil dir, Germania
- Kingdom of Greece
- Kingdom of Hannover
- Kingdom of Hawaii
- Grand Duchy of Hesse
- Hong Kong
- Kingdom of Iceland
- Eldgamla Ísafold (unofficial)
- Republic of India
- Santatam Pahimam (used as a children's song)
- Republic of Latvia
- Dievs, svētī Latviju! (rearranged)
- Principality of Liechtenstein
- Duchy of Mecklenburg
- Kingdom of the Netherlands
- O Dierbaar Plekje Grond (unofficial)
- Eeuwig en machtig Heer (unofficial)
- Kingdom of Norway
- Kongesangen (royal anthem)
- Kingdom of Prussia
- Heil dir im Siegerkranz (1795–1918)
- Ottoman Empire
- Osmanlı Sergi Marşı (unofficial)
- Kingdom of Poland
- Jezu, miłości Twej (used as a Christian hymn)
- Portugal
- Invocação e Louvor
- Russian Empire
- Molitva russkih (1816–1833)
- Kingdom of Saxony
- Kingdom of Siam
- Côrm Rảrt Cong Càrơrn
- Kingdom of Sweden
- Bevare Gud vår kung (1805–1893)
- Swiss Confederation
- Rufst du, mein Vaterland (1848–1961)
- United States of America
- My Country, 'Tis of Thee (de facto formerly)
- God Bless Our Native Land
- God Save Great George Our King (loyalist anthem)
- God Save Our Thirteen States
External links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Anthem. The official website of The British Monarchy.
- ↑ Isle of Man. NationalAnthems.info. Kendall, David. Winnipeg, Canada.
- ↑ A Crown of Maples (2008). MacLeod, Kevin S. Ottawa, Canada. Queen's Printer for Canada. ISBN: 978-0-662-46012-1.
- ↑ The World Factbook (2012). Central Intelligence Agency. pp.79.
- ↑ The World Factbook (2012). Central Intelligence Agency. pp.32.
- ↑ The World Factbook (2012). Central Intelligence Agency. pp.59.
- ↑ United Kingdom. NationalAnthems.me.
- ↑ cf. the versions in the hymn books English Hymnal, Hymns Ancient and Modern, and Songs of Praise
- ↑ National Anthem. The Royal Family.
- ↑ http://www.historytoday.com/charles-dimont/god-save-queen-history-national-anthem
- ↑ Hymne royal " Dieu protège la Reine ". Government of Canada.
- ↑ E Ihowa Tohungia Te Kuini (1900). Te Pipiwharauroa. pp.5.
- ↑ God Save the King, William H. Cummings, Novello and Company Ltd, London 1902.
- ↑ GOD SAVE THE KING