National Anthem as a Processional?

[EmilyAlexandra]

But aren’t you supposed to stand at attending during God Save the Queen?

Exactly. That’s why I think it would be irreverent to sing it during a procession.

I have never heard it sung in church over here and tbh I wouldn’t be too happy about it.

i am in the UK, and have never heard the National Anthem at Mass,. I would be shocked if i did! In fact, I’d probably complain.

I have certainly heard God Save the Queen sung at Anglican and ecumenical services, including the Eucharist in Anglican churches. I know that the national anthem is sung at Westminster Cathedral on occasions of national importance. For example, @new-kirishitan mentions a Mass for the Queen’s sapphire jubilee. I can also tell you that at Westminster Cathedral they sing the national anthem every year on Remembrance Sunday, at the Catholic Police Guild solemn requiem Mass, and at the Red Mass for the legal profession. They also sang God Defend New Zealand (the NZ national anthem) at a service after the Christchurch earthquake.

I am curious to know why anybody would be shocked/unhappy/would complain about the national anthem being sung at a Catholic Mass or other service, especially as it is sung at Masses at Westminster Cathedral, including Masses celebrated by bishops, archbishops, and even the cardinal archbishop of Westminster. I’m not actually a Christian myself, but from what I know about Christianity, I can’t see what there is to object to in the national anthem. We ask God to save the Queen, to grant her a long life and a long reign, to make her “victorious, happy, and glorious”, to pour his “choicest gifts” on her, and to help her to “defend our laws”.

 

[DaveBj]

the Star Spangled Banner does not mention God at all.

Have you never read or sung the 4th verse?

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave

D

 

[phil19034]

phil19034:

the Star Spangled Banner does not mention God at all.

Have you never read or sung the 4th verse?

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave

D

Sorry, yes. But I meant the first verse, which is the only verse anyone actually sings.

I pretty much doubt the parish in question sung all 4 verses with the priest just standing at attention.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

So would it be ok to play other national anthems in a spirit of inclusivity? I like the Russian anthem which is now purely musical. And the Croatian one is pretty good, though I think they could, given their history, dispense with the references to sabres.

Actually, the Russian anthem does have lyrics. Not sure how often they’re used, but they do have lyrics. Whether then or now, when you heard that anthem, you knew you had heard an anthem! Disregarding the Soviet sympathies in the old lyrics, it was — and is — the best anthem ever.

Wish they could have omitted the subtitles — that kind of ruins the visual effect. Very well done.