[Dixielandjazz] Re: [Dixielandjazz]National Anthem - "Land of Hope and Glory" etc.

[Jazzjerry@aol.com]

Hi Jim,

Really not too much to do with jazz but "Land of Hope and Glory" is correctly 
titled 'Pomp And Circumstance March No 1 from Edward Elgard Suite of 5 
Marches wjhich were written at the end of the 19th Century and beginning or 
the 20th by Elgar as his tribute to England's (note England not the United 
Kingdom!) heritage of pageantry. (Remember that in 1897 Queen Victoria had 
celebrated her Diamond Jubilee and everything in the British Empire was rosy)

The first two marches were premiered in 1901 and were a great 'hit' (to use a 
modern term!) The words to March No.1 (as originally known) were written by a 
person called A.V.Benson and as 'Land Of Hope and Glory' it all but replaced 
the 'official' National Anthem reaching it's height of popularity at the 
outbreak of World War One.  It of course remains the populist rather than the 
official National Anthem and indeed is more likely to be sung with real 
fervour at certain times of 'national' unity or crisis. It does not offend 
British republicans whereas God Save The Queen has unfortunate monachist 
overtones!

Cheers,

Jerry,
Norwich,
u.K.