HYMNS OF HOMAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19031, 30 May 1925, Page 16 (Supplement)

HYMNS OF HOMAGE.

FOUR WELL-KNOWN TUNES. There are at present only four tunes, or pieces of music, at the first notes of which every Briton stands bareheaded in token of respect, although Scotsmen are agitating for a fifth. It goes without saying that the first is the National Anthem. Then for more than a century and a half it has been an unwritten rule at performances of Handel's " Messiah " for the audience to rise to its feet at the first strains of " The Hallelujah Chorus " ;»nd remain standing till the last note. Another composition by Handel which brings everybody to their feet is " The Dead March in Saul." Few people remain seated while this solemn march is being played. Since tho inauguration of the two minutes' silence on Armistice Day, " 0 God, our help in ages past " has become tie national hymn, and as it is played or sung immediately after the silence no one ever moves, replaces his hat, or sits down until the hymn is finished. Now the Scots wish to have Burns' immortal iL Scots Wiia Ilae '' recognised as the Scottish National Anthem.