My sentiments exactly

Mr. Enoch Soames, Esq., indulging in a little Colonial-bashing, posted the words to God Save The Queen over the weekend.

I may have mentioned before that we sing the fourth verse of "America" (the 'Murican version of the anthem) as part of the Offeratory at my Church, bridging into it immediately after the Old Hundredth. I have no earthly idea whether this is a widespread practice or one confined to our parish. The words run:

Our fathers' God to thee,
Author of liberty,
to thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright
with Freedom's holy light.
Protect us by thy might
great God our King.

I happen to think the tune is beautiful in its simple elegance. And as simple-minded as it may sound, I always get the shivers listening to the organ's bass arpeggios in the third and fourth lines.

This anthem debuted in G.B. in 1745. "My Country Tis of Thee" came into being not that long afterwards. Although coopting the tune was meant as an act of rebellion and defiance Way Back When, the years have mellowed the act and I sing this verse with relish as a matter of reverence and tradition.

Bonus Tory Link: Bill Buckley's obituary for Evelyn Waugh.