Land of Hope and Glory


Land of Hope and Glory - Definition

Land of Hope and Glory, also known as "Pomp And Circumstance", is a British patriotic song. It is particularly noted for being played on the occasion of the Last Night of the Proms amidst much flag-waving.

The song is also used as the anthem of England at the Commonwealth Games; England, as part of the United Kingdom, normally has as its anthem "God Save the Queen" (or King).

The music to which the words below are set is a theme from Sir Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1. Words were designed for the melody on the suggestion of King Edward VII who told Elgar he thought the melody would make a great song. Elgar requested well-known poet and essayist A C Benson to write the words.

The second stanza, (which accompanies the trio section of the March) is the part which is sung today, the first and third having faded into obsolescence.

Dear Land of Hope, thy hope is crowned.

God make thee mightier yet!

On Sov'reign brows, beloved, renowned,

Once more thy crown is set.

Thine equal laws, by Freedom gained,

Have ruled thee well and long;

By Freedom gained, by Truth maintained,

Thine Empire shall be strong.

Land of Hope and Glory,

Mother of the Free,

How shall we extol thee,

Who are born of thee?

Wider still and wider

Shall thy bounds be set;

God, who made thee mighty,

Make thee mightier yet.

Thy fame is ancient as the days,

As Ocean large and wide

A pride that dares, and heeds not praise,

A stern and silent pride

Not that false joy that dreams content

With what our sires have won;

The blood a hero sire hath spent

Still nerves a hero son.

See also