'Land of Hope and Glory' - British Patriotic Song

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Land of Hope and Glory is a patriotic song associated with the United Kingdom, often sung at sporting events and other national occasions. It was composed by Edward Elgar in 1902 for the Coronation Ode, which was written to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII.

The lyrics of the song express pride in Britain's history, its imperial past, and its hopes for a prosperous future. It is a popular and stirring anthem that has become synonymous with British patriotism.

"Land of Hope and Glory", while not officially designated as England's anthem (that honor goes to "God Save the King/Queen"), "Land of Hope and Glory" quickly became incredibly popular. Its uplifting melody and patriotic lyrics resonated deeply, turning it into an unofficial anthem for many. It was considered to be an "unofficial anthem" for England by many Britons.

- COMPOSITION -
The music to which the words of the refrain 'Land of Hope and Glory, &c'[a] below are set is the 'trio' theme from Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1. The words were fitted to the melody on the suggestion of King Edward VII who told Elgar he thought the melody would make a great song. When Elgar was requested to write a work for the King's coronation, he worked the suggestion into his Coronation Ode, for which he used words provided by the poet and essayist A. C. Benson. The first and last sections of the Ode use the march's melody.

The first five notes of the refrain are similar to the first two bars of God Save the King in an early version published in 1745.

Owing to the King's illness, the coronation was postponed. Elgar created a separate song, which was first performed by Madame Clara Butt in June 1902. In fact, only the first of the seven stanzas of the Ode's final section was re-used, as the first four lines of the second stanza below. This stanza is the part which is popularly sung today.

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