"RULE, BRITANNIA"
Sir-The refrain which is based on the first verse of "Rule, Britannia" is invariably sung by the general public-‘"Britannia rules the waves." The
original is "Rule, Britannia, Britannia, rule the waves -a command, in the imperative mood. Though "Heav’n’s command" has been obeyed and the error expresses a fact, yet it is very satisfying to feel the power in the command when sung correctly with due accent on the word "rule." When Britain first at Heav’n’s command Arose from out the Azure main, This was the charter, the charter of the land, And guardian angels sang this strain: Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves; Britons never shall be slaves. The two hundredth anniversary of the first performance of this "ode in honour of Great Britain" fell on August 1 this year. Our National Song was composed by James Thomson, of Southdean, Roxburghshire, Scotland, and the music by Dr. Arne. The composition was for the Masque of Alfred, the occasion being the commemoration of the Accession of George I. The Masque was performed at the residence of Frederick, Prince of Wales, at Cliffden House, Maidenhead, August 1, 1740.
ROB
(Ahipara).
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19401018.2.9.4
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 69, 18 October 1940, Page 4
Word count
Tapeke kupu
191"RULE, BRITANNIA" New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 69, 18 October 1940, Page 4
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in