There has been a lengthy debate and plenty of controversy around whether Rule, Britannia! will be played at the Last Night of the Proms on Saturday night.
It was originally suggested that the BBC may drop the patriotic anthem over its perceived links to colonialism and slavery.
But the BBC has now confirmed both Rule, Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory will be sung on 12 September night by “a select group of BBC singers”at The Royal Albert Hall, without an audience.
Here’s everything you need to know about the song’s lyrics, what they mean, and why the anthem sparked controversy.
What are the lyrics to Rule, Britannia?
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves,
Britons never, never, never will be slaves.
When Britain first, at heaven’s command,
Arose from out the azure main,
This was the charter of the land,
And Guardian Angels sang this strain:
Chorus
The nations not so blest as thee
Must, in their turn, to tyrants fall,
While thou shalt flourish great and free:
The dread and envy of them all.
Chorus
Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful from each foreign stroke,
As the loud blast that tears the skies
Serves but to root thy native oak.
Chorus
Thee haughty tyrants ne’er shall tame;
All their attempts to bend thee down
Will but arouse thy generous flame,
But work their woe and thy renown.
Chorus
To thee belongs the rural reign;
Thy cities shall with commerce shine;
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles, thine.
Chorus
The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coasts repair.
Blest isle! with matchless beauty crowned,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.
Chorus
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves,
Britons never, never, never will be slaves.
What is the origin of the song?
The song originated from a poem, also called Rule, Britannia, by James Thornton.
Music composed by Thomas Arne was teamed with the lyrics in 1740. The music was originally part of masque about Alfred the Great, called Alfred.
The melody was also used by other composers, including Richard Wagner and Johann Strauss as part of the overtures in the 1800s.
What is the meaning of the song?
The song has military connections, particularly with the Royal Navy, made evident by the words “Britannia, rule the waves”.
However, according to Classic FM, when the piece was first written it was not celebrating naval success but instead “a cry for help” as the Royal Navy at that time did not have much control over the seas, while other countries were establishing empires.
The song became more patriotic in the 1800s when the British Empire expanded across more of the world.
According to Historic UK, the lyrics changed in Victorian times from ‘Britannia, rule the waves’ to ‘Britannia rules the waves’, as the Royal Navy gained more dominance of the waters.
Many believe songs such as this, celebrating the empire and its perceived links to colonialism and slavery are no longer appropriate.
Other lyrics that have been a source of controversy are “Britons never, never, never will be slaves.”
These words suggest that while Britons’ won’t be enslaved, those from other nations can be, according to critics. The British Empire was heavily involved in the slave trade at the time the song was written and some say the lyrics suggest Britons have superiority over those from other lands.
Others, however, see the song as patriotic as it is often played at moments of celebration such as at the end of World War II. It is also traditionally performed at the Last Night of the Proms to a flag-waving audience.
Why is there controversy around the songs being performed at the proms?
It was originally rumoured that Land of Hope and Glory and Rule, Britannia! might not be performed at the Last Night of the Proms this year, amid the coronavirus pandemic andin the wake oftheBlack Lives Matter movement.
The Sunday Times had reported that conductor Dalia Stasevska believed it was time “to bring change” to the Royal Albert Hall, though she has since denied any role in a decision to sideline the songs.
Some critics described the songs as “racist propaganda” including Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham University.
Mr Andrews said on Twitter: “Empire rightly crumbled decades ago and so should the nation’s fascination with songs celebrating it.”
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he said: “Some songs, particularly those two… this is racist propaganda which celebrates the British Empire which killed tens of millions of people.
“It is totally inappropriate to have this song, it is not about banning and censorship. It is about saying what songs we want to represent Britain.If – and it’s a big if – if we want an anti-racist Britain, then these songs should totally not be celebrated at the Proms.”
While many others echoed his views, there was also a backlash to the idea of the songs being dropped, with members of the government wading into the debate.”
Culture SecretaryOliver Dowden was among those to show support for the songs to be played at The Proms.
Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory are highlights of the Last Night of the Proms
Share concerns of many about their potential removal and have raised this with @BBC
Confident forward-looking nations don’t erase their history, they add to it
— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) August 24, 2020
Mr Dowden posted on Twitter that the songs were “highlights” of the Proms, adding that he shared “concerns of many about their potential removal and have raised this with @BBC.”
It has since been announced that the two songs will be sungby a “select group of BBC singers” after all.
It had originally been suggested the songs may be performed as orchestral versions, which the BBC said had been and “artistic decision”, as the coronavirus pandemic meant they could not have a mass group of singers.
The solution of having a few singers, meant “words will be sung in the Hall, and as we have always made clear, audiences will be free to sing along at home”, the BBC added.
