Bristol University is in the news again, this time over its decision to axe the National Anthem from graduation ceremonies. The Sun – you know, the supposed ‘newspaper’ read by university graduates all across the land – was livid. “University bosses have been accused of hating British culture and pandering to wokes,” it screamed. Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden really added to the debate by adding, “If Bristol University are too ashamed of their British heritage, presumably they no longer want to be subsidised by [the] British taxpayer?” Hmm. Then the dimmest education secretary ever, Gillian Keegan, tooted, “Universities should stand up for our British values and stop giving in to woke ideology.” So, why did Bristol University axe the anthem?
This is all that Bristol has said so far: “The University routinely updates aspects of its Graduation ceremonies, which included the 2020 decision that the National Anthem would be played when representatives of the Royal Family, such as the Lord-Lieutenant, are in attendance.” And that’s it. Naturally, The Sun decided to quote students, anonymously of course, who supposedly said God Save The Queen was “old-fashioned”, “irrelevant” and “offensive to some“. I don’t know who these “some” are who are offended – my guess is that they don’t exist and the quote was made up – but I am certainly offended by the British National Anthem on the very simple grounds that it is shit; a grim dirge enough to deflate any occasion, never mind a glorious graduation ceremony.
I have some experience of graduations at Bristol University – not mine, very obviously – since both of my sons studied there, the most recent graduation taking place just last year and here’s the thing. I have no recollection of the National Anthem being played at either of them. I certainly don’t remember leaving the magnificent Wills building thinking, “Well, that would have been so much better if we’d only sung God Save The Queen (still to shuffle off her mortal coil at the time). Political correctness gone mad. So woke.” No. I was somewhat caught up in the occasion, bursting with pride at the achievements of my sons. In short, it didn’t matter at all.
Why do politicians and populist right-wing newspapers get so hung up on minor issues? Presumably both are playing to their elderly followers who presumably must swallow this tosh about things being woke, a word which, to my mind has very positive connotations. There was nothing work about not playing God Save The Queen/King or whoever. And it has absolutely nothing to do with anyone “hating British culture and pandering to wokes” or anyone being “ashamed of their British heritage.” It’s confected anger for the benefit of the hard of thinking.
God, when he’s not too busy saving the King, might prefer a better anthem, as I certainly would. Jerusalem to be precise. Anything, in fact. I’d rather have the theme from the Archers or the Benny Hill theme than the one we have at the moment, but even then I don’t see why graduations require the compulsory singing of the National Anthem. Anyway, it’s our young people achieving at one of the great universities we should be proud of, not necessarily a crumbling and dysfunctional monarchy, which is slowly morphing from being the envy of the world to a laughing stock.
Once The Sun and two gormless government ministers are up against you, it’s a sure sign you’ve done something right.
For students of the subject, here are all the words of God Save The King. Why don’t we have the full version at major events? Spoiler alert: its bonkers.
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!
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 o’er.
From every latent foe,
From the assassins 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!
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!
