Gareth Southgate’s England team take on Serbia in Germany tonight and ahead of kick off at their Euros debut, the Three Lions will come together to sing the National Anthem – join in with them by learning the words here
The National Anthem was first performed publicly in 1745 and there are actually two verses, even though it’s normally just the first that is sung.
England boss Gareth Southgate will lead the Three Lions as they sing the National Anthem tonight ahead of their Euro 2024 debut against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Before kick off at 8pm, God Save the King will ring out around the Arena AufSchalke.
In its present form, the song dates back to the eighteenth century, with King and Queen being swapped in where appropriate. Most of us are familiar with the tune and the words to the first few lines but you’d be forgiven for discreetly humming the rest before belting out a final ‘God save the King!’
On official occasions only the first verse is sung but there are actually two verses. Other verses have been added through the years but are rarely used. There’s no authorised version of the National Anthem as the words are a matter of tradition but the King and Queen’s website includes the ones we use today.
Here are the full lyrics so you can get practising ready to sing along with the Three Lions.
What are the words 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.
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.
Who wrote God Save the King?
The words and tune are anonymous and may date back to the seventeenth century. The present form dates back to the eighteenth century when it was first performed publicly in 1745.
In September of that year, the ‘Young Pretender” to the British Throne, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, defeated the army of King George II at Prestonpans, near Edinburgh. After the news reached London, the leader of the band at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane decided to create a piece of music to play after the performance – God Save the King.
It went down a storm and was repeated nightly. Soon other theatres had adopted the practice and it quickly became customary to greet monarchs with the song when they entered a place where there was public entertainment. It became known as the National Anthem at the beginning of the nineteenth century, with other countries adopting the tune after noticing the importance of a recognised musical symbol.
Did you know all the words to the National Anthem? Let us know in the comments below.
