God Save the King

Lore & Background

The first published version that resembles the present song appeared in 1744. The tune published in The Gentleman's Magazine in 1745 departs from that used today at several points but is otherwise clearly a strong relative of the contemporary anthem. It was recorded as being sung in London theatres in 1745. Scholes recommends the attribution 'traditional' or 'traditional; earliest known version by John Bull (1562–1628)'. The English Hymnal gives no attribution, stating merely '17th or 18th cent.'

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed overhead as the players lined up on the grass, white kits gleaming under the floodlights. A hush fell over the crowd, a collective intake of breath before the first note rose from the speakers. As the chorus began, thousands of voices joined in, swelling into a roar that vibrated through the stands and onto the pitch.

Reader's Guide

England has no official national anthem of its own; 'God Save the King' is treated as the English national anthem when England is represented at sporting events (though there are some exceptions, such as cricket where 'Jerusalem' is used). In general, only one verse is sung. Sometimes two verses are sung and, on certain occasions, three.

Did You Know?

• The melody is used for the national anthem of Liechtenstein, the royal anthem of Norway, and the American patriotic song 'My Country, 'Tis of Thee'.
• The melody was also used for the national anthem of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1795 until 1918, as the anthem of the German Emperor from 1871 to 1918, as 'The Prayer of Russians' from 1816 to 1833, and as the national a
• Since 2003, 'God Save the King' has been dropped from the Commonwealth Games; English winners hear 'Land of Hope and Glory' or 'Jerusalem'.