The National Song for the United Kingdom

National Song of England | National Song of Wales

National Song of Scotland | National Song of Northern Ireland

The British National Anthem

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.

Click here for the full version

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

National songs around the UK

The British National Anthem represents the whole of the UK.

National Song of England

National Song of Wales

National Song of Scotland

National Song of Northern Ireland and Ireland

The Full version of the British National Anthem

1. 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!

2. O Lord our God arise,
Scatter her enemies
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!

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

4. Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world over.

5. From every latent foe,
From the assassins blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!

History of the National Anthem

Information on the history of the British National Anthem can be found on the official web site of the British Monarchy.

Other Songs

Find out about other songs associated with England.