Proms on the Park tomorrow

(The website link that was here no longer works) As regular readers will know, over the past few days Audlem Online has been publishing the words of the traditional patriotic songs that make up the finale of the Proms on the Park – tomorrow evening in Audlem, with the music running from 6.00pm until the Fireworks display scheduled for 10.30pm.

We have already covered Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (aka Land of Hope and Glory) and Jerusalem. Today we focus on Rule, Britannia!. The words were written by James Thomson, a Scottish poet. The music is by Thomas Arne, and it's probably his only composition still played. The German composer Richard Wagner said that for him the first eight notes of the verse tune of Rule, Britannia! sum up the whole character of the British nation.

Chorus:

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!

Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

When Britain first, at heaven's command,

Arose from out the azure main,

This was the charter of the land,

And Guardian Angels sang this strain:

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!

Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

The nations not so blest as thee

Must, in their turn, to tyrants fall,

While thou shalt flourish great and free:

The dread and envy of them all.

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!

Britons never, never, never shall 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! Britannia, rule the waves!

Britons never, never, never shall 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! Britannia, rule the waves!

Britons never, never, never shall 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! Britannia, rule the waves!

Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

The Muses, still with freedom found,

Shall to thy happy coasts repair.

Blest isle! with matchless beauty crowned,

And manly hearts to guard the fair.

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!

Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

Fortunately, given its length, it's only the soloist who has to remember the verses – everyone else can just belt out the chorus – and wave their flags.

Hopefully, this will get everyone in the mood for a great night in Audlem tomorrow. Check if you have enough tickets and try and get friends and relatives who may not have been before to come to Proms on the Park – and to see a village enjoying one of the great community events for which it is justly famous.

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