England delivered brutal response after calls to axe God Save The King as national anthem
Would you like to see the English national anthem changed? (Image: Getty)
The people have spoken! It’s time to change the English national anthem. At least when it comes to sporting events like the World Cup.
God Save the King has long been criticised as being sub-par compared to other anthems heard at the World Cup. The anthem focuses on two controversial topics: religion and the monarchy, leaving some turned off by what ought to be a rousing pre-match song.
Instead, critics have long suggested that it doesn’t properly represent England as a nation and should be changed. And in a poll run by Express Sport, 55 per cent of voters said the anthem should be switched for something more rousing.
But what sort of thing should we be looking to change it to? Jerusalem has long been suggested as an alternative candidate, with Land of Hope and Glory also mentioned in the conversation.
As far as the best anthems at this summer’s World Cup though, Express Sport readers voted in favour of Flower of Scotland. While it might be the only World Cup-related competition the Scots have a genuine chance of winning, it’s hard to argue against Flower of Scotland as the best anthem on display at this year’s tournament.
Videos of the Tartan Army singing it ahead of Scotland’s group matches this summer went viral, with Flower of Scotland receiving 52 per cent of the vote. Not only a majority, but a resounding one at that, with England’s God Save the King left trailing behind.
God Save the King has been criticised (Image: Getty)
The English national anthem did at least finish second, despite calls for it to be axed, with 16 per cent of voters opting for it as the best. In third, perhaps surprisingly, was France with La Marseillaise, which returned 13 per cent of the votes cast.
Full poll results:
Scotland – 52%
England – 16%
France – 13%
Other – 8%
USA – 4%
South Africa – 3%
Brazil – 2%
Mexico – 1%
Argentina – 1%
England have used something other than God Save the King at sporting events in the past. At the Commonwealth Games, England uses Jerusalem as their anthem when athletes pick up gold medals, and that song is also played at Test cricket matches, alongside God Save the King.
