I was in England earlier this summer and I couldn't understand why the British people say "God save the Queen." Does is have historical significance or did they just get bored?
2007-07-25 18:17:20 · 10 answers · asked by Beau 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
means keep safe, or protect
2007-07-29 11:54:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Historically, monarchs were major targets of assassination plots because their power was so coveted.
It is an anthem, but it reminds me particularly of Queen Elizabeth I of England who reigned for a pretty long time. There were many attempts on her life during this reign, as many claimed that she had no claim to the throne because she was a bastard child (her father accussed her mother of adultery because the mother, Anne Boleyn, could not produce a male heir and so, Elizabeth was deemed a bastard child). So, I can see her supporters chanting this phrase as a prayer, literally, that their Queen be saved, as in spared.
As someone suggested, the phrase is comparable to that of God Bless America, where save can equal the term bless..
2007-07-26 04:20:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Letzia nails it - - - yes it is the National Anthem, altered when a man sits on the throne to God Save the King. The word 'save' has changed over the course of centuries. These days we 'Americans' are apt to think of Save as Recue // // and why would someone have to Rescue a Queen?
Actually in anceint times Save had a meaning similiar to Bless - - - so what Brits are actually saying is 'God Bless' the Monarch - - -
Pax--- ----
2007-07-26 03:09:07 · answer #3 · answered by JVHawai'i 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, it's from the national anthem:
God save our gracious Queen.
The Queen represents the entire nation.
2007-07-29 19:50:50 · answer #4 · answered by marguerite L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even in Canada use to sing God save the queen.
Back in the 1929 Scotland and England and ireland and Canada use to sing God save the King
2007-07-27 07:53:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
As a Brit of over 60 years of age I have never heard anyone say 'God Save the Queen' (King) other than whilst singing the National Anthem (and we don't call it the 'Royal Anthem' as one answer suggests)
2007-07-26 06:35:25 · answer #6 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
'Save' in this context means keep safe, or protect. The expression goes further back than the National Anthem. There is a line in Shakespeare (Richard II. Act 4, scene 1) which says:
'God save the king, although I be not he
And yet, Amen, if heaven think him me'.
2007-07-26 03:39:27 · answer #7 · answered by Retired 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's their National Anthem, except they call it Royal Anthem:
God save our gracious Queen.
Long live our noble Queen.
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us ...
It was written in the 18th century, so yes, it's part of their history.
2007-07-26 01:44:53 · answer #8 · answered by Letizia 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
God fuc k the queen is what I say.I don't really hear people say this to be honest.
2007-07-26 03:08:18 · answer #9 · answered by Jhonny 2 · 5⤊ 5⤋
~Because Lizzie has boobs. If she had balls, they'd say "God save the king". Duh. You just watch when Chuckie takes over and see if I ain't right.
2007-07-26 23:53:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋