NATIONAL ANTHEMS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2645, 20 October 1919, Page 7

NATIONAL ANTHEMS.

America has at least five national anthems, and so the President is less likely to get fed up with hearing one strain. But our King must be sick and tired of “God Save Our Gracious King.” and wish also for a change. King Edward gave orders that only one line of the National Anthem should be played in his presence, doubtless because he was sick of it. Then why not ring >the( changes as iD the States ? Think how sick the French President must be of the “Marseillaise,” which he hears in season and out of season ! That is a song which requires the right atmosphere, and is not suitable for receptions and theatres. It is a song of Revolution. When the Shah of Persia ivas in England in 189S he mads a tour of the provinces, and all the principal town bands played the Persian National Anthem in his honour. On departing from Manchester he sent a special messenger in advance to the next stopping-place, reauesting the officer in command of the guard of honour to suppress that particular air. “The Shah has heard it so much,” said the messenger, “that disastrous effects might be anticipated from any further repetition of it.” Those effects,, had the Shah been on his native heath, would, have been the loss of a head !