Rule Britannia!

CULTURE minister Margaret Hodge prompted ridicule and outrage yesterday
after criticising the Proms for not being “inclusive” enough.

Mrs Hodge said the classical music festival upset people from ethnic minorities, who
did not feel comfortable attending.

She claimed the Proms left some in Britain “isolated and deeply offended”.

But critics claimed the summer-long musical season was one of the most welcoming
events in the cultural calendar.

Hey, Margaret,

Tolerate this!

(Plug your speakers in and turn it up loud, so your neighbours can hear)










In case you want to sing along:

When Britain first, at Heaven's command
Arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sung this strain:

"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:
"Britons never will be slaves."


The nations, not so blest as thee,
Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall;
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.

"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:
"Britons never will be slaves."


Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful, from each foreign stroke;
As the loud blast that tears the skies,
Serves but to root thy native oak.

"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:
"Britons never will be slaves."

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame:
All their attempts to bend thee down,
Will but arouse thy generous flame;
But work their woe, and thy renown.


"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:
"Britons never will be slaves."


To thee belongs the rural reign;
Thy cities shall with commerce shine:
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles thine.

"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:
"Britons never will be slaves."


The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair;
Blest Isle! With matchless beauty crown'd,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.

"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:
"Britons never will be slaves."



(I received a complaint that it was getting too Canadian around here.)