Or in the words of the great Ali – “I am the Greatest”
Today has been an interesting day to look at hat is currently acceptable. I have often said the national anthem is a bit dubious (to say the least). Especially the old third verse (no longer part of the national anthem):
Lord, grant that Marshal Wade,
May by thy mighty aid,
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
and like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush,
God save the King.
But the adopted Scottish National anthem is hardly better. There are so many national anthems that celebrate the crushing defeat of others in a war. I always wonder whether the UN or the Olympics, that are committed to world peace should stop anthems that glorify the killing of people from other nations.
On the One Show tonight they had an article about pubs called “The Black Boy”. At no point did anybody suggest the term was about a slave, although one expert said a pub with that name would originally sell tea and tobacco which was related to slavery. In other words sellers of tea and tobacco should be condemned (Mr Singh in the corner shop will be pleased to hear of his racist nature – all that tea selling he does). Another person said they would not drink in a pub with a name associated with a colour. I started to wonder about the Green Man. But the person complaining ran a pub called The Chequers (both black and white connotations – isn’t that double bad). Pretty contrived piece.
Of course the big issue has been about the proms. I have always been uncomfortable about Jerusalem. Not because of the lyrics written by Blake, I like his work. But I dislike the eligious belief around the New Jerusalem that comes with it.
The two songs that seem to cause so much angst for people are Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia. Okay, they are very nationalistic and I understand some people object to that, but is that a reason to object to them, to ban them? If you think so, then we should be considering banning all of those nationalistic political slogans of groups like the SNP, or is that the good nationalistic people?
My guess is that most people complaining have not watched the last night of the proms. They are not in the slightest “Us above all others”. The songs have taken on a meaning different to the words. I always find it amazing how the response is so multi-national. Flags from every part of the world being waved in time to the music. I have to admit I am not sure I understand it, but people seem to understand this as a celebration of freedom and life more than anything else.
And as for the national anthem: