Why is the British Anthem...

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Why is the British Anthem's music identical with a former German Imperial Anthem?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Save_the_Queen#Use_elsewhere for the details, but the song was used as the anthem in a number of monarchies, only with different words.  Indeed, it still is used as the royal anthem of Norway (but not the national anthem).

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

my country tis of thee
sweet land of liberty
 of thee i sing

[Stoneberg]

As said above, many nations use God save the King/Queen or used to. It is a standard and rather bland song. As an Englishman I would much prefer Jerusalem as our national anthem but it might be confusing for non-English speakers.

[patrick1]

As an Englishman I would much prefer Jerusalem as our national anthem but it might be confusing for non-English speakers.

I am surprised at Jerusalem's rather broad appeal considering its religious subject matter.  (I know I shouldnt be, but I still am.) 

[Platypus]

The problem with Jerusalem is that it only represents the English.

[patrick1]

The problem with Jerusalem is that it only represents the English.

That is the point, no? There are already other Home nations anthems. I happen to think it is an excellent song.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I am surprised at Jerusalem's rather broad appeal considering its religious subject matter.  (I know I shouldnt be, but I still am.)

Well, a big majority of the population are at least loosely culturally protestant (including (and especially?) the more vocal atheists) and the hymnal tradition is one reason for that.

The thing that always gets me is the irony, given what Blake stood for and was getting at, but it's far better than the current dirge.

[J. J.]

Did you ever notice how much the Imperial German palace looks like the Centauri Imperial Palace?

[Platypus]

I'd go with Land Of Hope and Glory if I was British, with God Save The Queen reserved for England itself.

[Mikestone8]

I'd go with Land Of Hope and Glory if I was British, with God Save The Queen reserved for England itself.

The other way round would be more logical, since she is Queen of the whole UK, while the Scots in particular played as big a role in running the British Empire as did the English.

Incidentally, if we're going for Edward Elgar, there's also "Song of Liberty" set to hisFourth Pomp and Circumstance March. It's chorus includes a lovely line about 

"Brutes and braggarts may  Have their little day. We shall never bow the knee."

That has a lovely air of "put down" about it.