Lyrics, meaning, writer: discover everything about God Save the King, the national anthem of England and the national football team.
If you want to sing along to the national anthems at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (20 November – 18 December), here’s everything you need to know about the English national anthem: God Save the King.
God Save the King and God Save the Queen
God Save the King (“May God protect the king” or “May God save the king”) is the national anthem of the United Kingdom (and therefore of England), even though it has no official status! We do not know who the author is, but it appeared in 1774, making it the oldest hymn in the world.
When a woman is on the throne, a custom text is used: God Save the Queen.
For example, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, from 1953 to 2022, the national anthem God Save the Queen resounded in the stadiums.
Since her death on September 8, 2022, her son, King Charles III, has taken over and brought back the anthem God Save The King in England.
God Save the King is also the national anthem of New Zealand and Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom).
Has God Save the King ever been played at a World Cup?
Yes, during the 1950 World Cup, the first participation of the Three Lions in a final round. From the 1954 World Cup to the 2018 World Cup, God Save the Queen was played because Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne of the country.
What is the lyrics to God Save the King?
“God save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King,
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us;
God save the King!
O Lord, our God, arise,
Scatter his enemies,
And make them fall!
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour;
Long may he reign;
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice:
God save the King!”
What is the meaning of the lyrics of God Save the King in Dutch?
“May God protect our gracious King,
Long live our noble king,
May God protect the king!
make him victorious,
Happy and glorious;
May his reign over us be long,
May God protect the king!
Lord our God, arise
Scatter his enemies
And drop them;
Confuse their plans,
Foil their conspiracies of deceivers!
In you we put our hope;
May God protect us all!
Please pour over him
Your most precious gifts;
May he reign long;
May he defend our laws
And always prove us right
Sing with heart and with full voice:
May God protect the king!”