The National Anthem of ‘God Save the King’ appeared in print in 1745, to a tune by Thomas Arne. It became popular in London theatres in reaction to the Jacobite Rebellion that year. It is said that the song was first sung in support of King George II shortly after he was defeated by Charles Edward Stuart’s Jacobite army at the Battle of Prestonpans. ‘God save our lord the king: A new song set for two voices’ was published in ‘The Gentleman's Magazine’.
General Wade has the distinction of featuring in its second verse, which is now considered anti-Scottish and is no longer sung.
The words of the offending verse are:
Lord, grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush and like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush.
God save the King.
Another verse begs Wade to ‘confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks...’ This verse was rewritten to cover all enemies of Great Britain.
Keep up to date