Full lyrics to 'God Save The King' - including hardly-known second verse
Thousands visited London for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. During the moving service, the choir, as well as crowds outside, sang a moving rendition of the National Anthem.
We've all now come to terms with the obvious change in lyrics from Queen to King, but people have been left wondering what exactly the lyrics are to the little-known second verse. Mourners gathered at the funeral were required to sing the entire song, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
Read more: Our Derby reporter hears London crowds sing God Save The King after Queen's funeral
Here are those lyrics in full.
God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King.
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign.
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King.
According to the Royal family's official website, the anthem in its present form dates back to the eighteenth century. The words and tune are anonymous, and may date back to the seventeenth century.
The words are a matter of tradition, meaning there is no authorised version as such. The words used today are those sung in 1745, and only the first verse is usually sung.
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