God Save The King
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the ascension of King Charles III, the UK National Anthem has been played a good deal recently. As we look ahead to the coronation some time in the future, Anne has published the sheet music for the UK National Anthem for the first time on music-scores.
As well as the piano version we have arrangements for 3 Clarinets, Bass Clarinet, 3 Trumpets, Trombone, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and String Quartet
History of the UK National Anthem
The UK National Anthem is the oldest national anthem in the world. According to The Royal Family official website, it may date as far back as the 17th century. The words and music are both anonymous.
After the Jacobite victory at the Battle of Prestonpans in September 1745, the band leader at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane quickly arranged God Save The King for a performance after a play. It was very successful and so the theatre continued to perform it every night. Other theatres then followed suit and so the tradition of welcoming the monarch in song whenever they entered a public entertainment venue was born.
Verses
There’s no authorised version of they words, they have just been handed down by over the years.
Usually only the first verse is sung though the third verse is sometimes used as well.
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 !
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter our* enemies,
And make them fall!
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!
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!
Not in this land alone,
But be God’s mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world ov’er
From every latent foe,
From the assasins blow,
God save the King!
O’er his thine arm extend,
For Britain’s sake defend,
Our Father, prince, and friend,
God save the King!
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!
Source lyricsondemand.com
April 2023 Update
The Coronation date has been set for 6th May 2023 and the UK is getting ready for a long weekend of celebrations. Read our blog post about the music that may be used in the ceremony.
