- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Publication date
- 1744
- Language
- English
- Tags
- national anthem
- Comments
-
The national anthem of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, various Caribbean islands and other countries. Sung as "God Save the Queen" or "God Save the King", depending on the monarch. The first original title was "God Save the King", as the monarch was King George II.
The author of the tune is unknown and it may originate in plainchant, but a 1619 attribution to John Bull is sometimes made. Beyond its first verse, which is consistent, "God Save the Queen/King" has many historic and extant versions. Since its first publication, different verses have been added and taken away and, even today, different publications include various selections of verses in various orders.
The first published version of what is almost the present tune appeared in 1744 in Thesaurus Musicus. The 1744 version of the song was popularised in Scotland and England the following year, with the landing of Charles Edward Stuart and was published in The Gentleman's Magazine. This manuscript has the tune depart from that which is used today at several points, one as early as the first bar, but is otherwise clearly a strong relative of the contemporary anthem. It was recorded as being sung in London theatres in 1745, - Licensing
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Song
Versions
God Save the King written by [Traditional] English
God Save the King written by [Traditional] instrumental
My Country, 'Tis of Thee written by Samuel Francis Smith English
My Country, 'Tis of Thee instrumental
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Salute to our Fighting Forces (Concluded) | Boston "Pops" Orchestra | 1944 | Medley |
Heil dir im Siegerkranz written by Balthasar Gerhard Schumacher German (not verified yet)
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heil dir im Siegerkranz | II. Garde-Regiment Zu Fuß | 1904 | Unverified |