Commonwealth Games

[King Penguin]

Who decided "Jerusalem" is the English NationalAnthem ?

[eddie]

I'd make a guess as Commonwealth Games England http://www.weareengland.org/home/organisation/about-us

[Mrs H]

I seem to recall it went to a vote a few years ago. We in Malvern were very sad to loose Land of Hope and Glory - first publicly performed in the hall where my children went to primary school

[Homer]

Jerusalem got my vote.

About time the rugby team adopted it.

[andypat]

and the football team and all the other Engish national teams who still dont know the difference between England and the UK...so no chips on my shoulders then

[Mrs H]

What do they play then? Rule Britannia?

Didn't think so much of the closing ceremony. Too much Kylie not enough Kirani if you know what I mean!

[Freefall]

For the size of her there was quite a lot of Kylie showing for sure. I guess Runrig and The Proclaimers were not invited as they are too political. I wondered if all these Trespass tents were left trashed in a heap like the usual festival tents?

[JK]

More info on English national anthem(s) here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_anthem_of_England

Proclaimers didn't come as they were busy relaxing after finishing an album (which sounds like a euphemism for "weren't invited for political reasons", but who knows).

I think Land of Hope and Glory is an excellent anthem, BUT what it conjures for me is thoughts of Union Flags not St George's ones.

[King Penguin]

I'm with Mrs H and JK - Land of Hope and Glory - even though (or perhaps because) my Headmaster "adopted" Jerusalem for our school around 50 years ago.
I also think "Scotland will Flourish" is a more appropriate Corries song, as it looks forward not back, but I accept that will never be changed.