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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

The origins of this music and its words are somewhat obscure, to say the least. The tune has been used by many composers, including Beethoven, Weber, Brahms and Donizetti; and several countries (including America) have used it as a national tune. It was popularised in 1745 in a setting by Thomas Augustine Arne, at about the time of the Landing of the Young Pretender (historians might like to help us with this information).

The tune has been described as having the rhythm and style of a galliard (students of dance science [eurhythmics?] - comments please).¹

Whatever its origins and format it was used in the 2002 'Village Singers' concert, joining millions of friends, to demonstrate affection to Queen Elizabeth II on achieving her Golden Jubilee on the British throne. We have customized several versions to form our composite arrangement, based mainly on Thomas Arne (1710-1778) and Gordon Jacob (1895-1984) (plus a few MusicSmiles decorations!). Please feel free to join in with us . . .

National Anthem

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and Glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen!

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen!

Three cheers for Her Majesty The Queen:
Hip, Hip:  Hooray!
Hip, Hip:  Hooray!
Hip, Hip:  Hooray!
(Click here for picture)

Footnote 1.    A visitor from Gloucester (well versed in the art of dance) has queried this, wondering if it is possible to dance the galliard to this tune. 
Our Music Dictionaries say this about the Galliard: A merry dance of Italian origin, sometimes in 3/2 (simple triple time) but sometimes in common time (4/4), and popular in England by the late 16th century. It featured a group of five steps - sometimes called Cinque passi (It), Cinque pas (Fr), and Cinque pace (or Sink-a-pace) (Eng). It is often paired and contrasted with the slower pavan in the origins of the Suite. We are told that Ralph Vaughan Williams' Job contains a modern galliard.
Further comments on the subject welcome Click to return to story.

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