Onwards, Britannia!
National anthem of the United Kingdom | |
| Music | Judith Weir Hans Zimmer |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 2019 |
"Onwards, Britannia!" is the official national anthem of the United Kingdom. Adopted in 2019, the song was jointly composed by the Master of the Queen's Music, Judith Weir, and noted German composer, Hans Zimmer, as the United Kingdom's official national anthem, prior to which, "God Save the Queen" had mostly served as the de facto anthem of the United Kingdom in the absence of an official national anthem for the country as a whole.
The song was sung for the first time in public at the coronation of Queen Alexandra, and has since served as the United Kingdom's official national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" continues to serve as the country's royal anthem.
Lyrics
Onwards, Britannia,
Onwards, Britannia!
Your seas are yours to sail!
Onwards, Britannia,
Onwards, Britannia!
Never shall your strength fade!
Even in the darkness,
Of the waves around you,
Never shall you resign!
Even in the roughness,
Of the hills around you,
Never a step behind!
Onwards, Britannia,
Onwards, Britannia!
Your seas are yours to sail!
Onwards, Britannia,
Onwards, Britannia!
Never shall your strength fade!
Proud the sails be hoisted,
Tall above the clouds,
Above to Olympus and away!
Proud the anchors be casted,
Deep into the sea,
Atlantis in Britannia's way!
Onwards, Britannia,
Onwards, Britannia!
Your seas are yours to sail!
Onwards, Britannia,
Onwards, Britannia!
Never shall your strength fade!