If you were watching President Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th President of the United States yesterday and are British, you might have been confused as to why “God Save The Queen” was being played. If you are American like me, you would think nothing of it. You would recognise it as the song “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” that you sang in many school events growing up.
In all fairness, I should admit, as a child like many other Americans I’m sure, I was confused as to why “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” was played at British events or when an Olympian from Britain won gold at the Olympics. I later found out it was “God Save The Queen” instead.
“God Save The Queen” was not played during the inauguration, but instead, “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” which has the same tune as the United Kingdom’s anthem. Our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is also to the tune of another British song – “The Anacreontic Song”.
“My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”, which was originally titled “America”, was written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831 and served as a de facto national anthem for the United States until “The Star-Spangled Banner” was adopted in 1931. It was first performed on 4 July 1831 at an Independence Day event for children in Boston, Massachusetts.
While the person who wrote the lyrics to “God Save The Queen” is unknown, Thomas Arne composed the melody for the song in 1745. The song has not been officially adopted as the national anthem through a Royal Proclamation or Act of Parliament. Its status as the national anthem comes from its frequent use and custom over the years.
Symphony No. 3 by Muzio Clementi contains the melody of “God Save The Queen” (or “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” if you are American) as a tribute to the United Kingdom, which was Clementi’s adopted country. It was this melody in Symphony No. 3 that caught Samuel Francis Smith’s ear. So, he wrote “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” to the tune in 30 minutes.
Thank you for the explanation. All this time I thought the words “God save the Queen” was invented by the Queen.
It has been around since the 1700’s and is used for Kings or Queens
It is not used by the many queens here in Brighton.
“God Save the King” or “Dieu Sauve le Roy” was first composed by French composer Lully, as a prayer during King Louis XIV surgery on a fistula …
“God Save the king/queen” is a revolting dirge that just licks the hindquarters of one particular individual ignoring the rest of the nation.
The sooner it is replaced the better.
Only just heard ‘God save the Queen’ being played at President Trumps inauguration parade which did arouse my curiosity somewhat…
Thanks ever so much for explaining why.
Long live the Trump!