Not just an
English patriotic song (as had been claimed) but the
British national anthem -- which is one of the reasons why the
Sex Pistols' version was so shocking to the more "respectable" members of society at the time.
The origin of the song (both words and music) is unknown although some attribute it to Henry Carey. The first recorded public performance was in 1745. Although there are 5 verses (as well as an almost-forgotten anti-Scottish verse) it is extremely rare for any other than the first to be song. Of course when the British monarch is male the song becomes God Save The King...
God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen!
O Lord our God arise
Scatter her enemies
And make them fall
Confound their politics
Frustrate their knavish tricks
On Thee our hopes we fix
Oh, save us all!
Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour
Long may she reign
May she defend our laws
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen!
Not in this land alone
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see
That men should brothers be
And form one family
The wide world over
From every latent foe
From the assassin's blow
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend
For Britain's sake defend
Our mother, prince, and friend
God save the Queen!