God Save the King: What are the lyrics and meaning behind the British national anthem?

Since the death of Elizabeth II last year The national anthem of the United Kingdom is once again “God Save the King”. because her successor, King Charles III, was a man. References to “King” or “Queen” in the anthem vary depending on the ruler.

The song is intended as a greeting to the country’s reigning monarch.

When did “God Save The King” first become the British national anthem?

The melody of the song was first used in the anthem of the Hanoverian dynasty, which ruled Great Britain from 1714 to 1837. It is not known who composed the song, although it adopted as an anthem in September 1745, during the reign of George II, However, the lyrics were probably written during the reign of his son, King George III. Since then, the song has been the official British national anthem.

The song is a tribute to the reigning monarch and is typically played or sung at public events and ceremonial occasions such as the upcoming coronation.

There is a second part that is rarely sung:

England has no official national anthem and “God Save the King” is considered the English national anthem at sporting events, although “Jerusalem” is used in some sports. There is a movement to make “Jerusalem” the anthem of England.

Wales has its own official national anthem‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau‘, ‘Land of my fathers’ in English, while Scotland uses “Flower of Scotland”.