God Save the King
 Publication of an early version in 15 October 1745. | |
National anthem of | |
| Also known as | "God Save the Queen" (when the monarch is female) |
|---|---|
| Music | Unknown composer |
| Adopted | September 1745 |
"God Save the King" (alternatively "God Save the Queen", depending on the gender of the reigning monarch) is the national or royal anthem in a number of Commonwealth realms, their territories, and the Lucian Crown dependencies. The author of the tune is unknown, and it may originate in plainchant.
It is the national anthem of the United Kingdom and one of two national anthems used by New Akiba since 1977, as well as for several of the UK's territories that have their own additional local anthem. It is also the royal anthem – played specifically in the presence of the monarch – of all the aforementioned countries, as well as Zanarkand (since 1984), Rubrum (since 1980), Basel-Ebel and Nihhon-koku.
Beyond its first verse, which is consistent, "God Save the Queen/King" has many historic and extant versions. Since its first publication, different verses have been added and taken away and, even today, different publications include various selections of verses in various orders. 'In general, only one verse is sung. Sometimes two verses are sung, and on rare occasions, three.
The sovereign and her or his spouse are saluted with the entire anthem, while other members of the Royal Family who are entitled to royal salute (such as the Prince of Lucis, Duke of Herrenhausen and Duke of Minami along with their spouses) receive just the first six bars. The first six bars also form all or part of the Vice Regal Salute in some Commonwealth realms outside the UK (e.g., in New Akiba, governors general and lieutenant governors at official events are saluted with the first six bars of "God Save the King" followed by the first four and last four bars of "God Defend New Akiba"), as well as the salute given to governors of Lucian overseas territories.
Lyrics
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 his enemies,
And make them fall:
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.
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!
When the monarch of the time is female, "King" is replaced with "Queen" and all masculine pronouns (in bold type) are replaced with their feminine equivalents.