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Article: God save our anthem; EDUCATION NOTEBOOK.
- Article from:
- Daily Mail (London)
- Article date:
- August 23, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: SUSAN ELKIN
EVERY child growing up in Britain should recognise and understand the significance of the National Anthem. But few do. Just ask a class of primary school children to recite the famous first verse (God save our gracious Queen. . . ) It is unlikely there will be a single child who can do it, unless someone has been to Brownies or Cubs with a very traditionally inclined leader.
And I've never met anyone under the age of 50 who knows by heart the second verse ('Thy choicest gifts in store . . .'). My generation was made to learn it at school.
The tune has a resonance, too, and should be heard far more often than it now is. ...