Rose of England
Encyclopedia
"Rose of England" is a patriotic
song written by Welsh
composer Ivor Novello
in 1937 for his musical 'Crest of the Wave
'. Contrary to some reports, it was not popularised by Vera Lynn
during the war
years. The only recording which she made of the song was on the long-playing album 'More Hits of the Blitz' released in 1966 and which has been included on several Compact Disc releases. This was the choice of her producer, the (then) recently hired David Gooch, who also produced the final album recorded by Alma Cogan
. The song was played by Maggie Smith
in the motion picture A Private Function
and also by Patricia Routledge
in an episode of Keeping Up Appearances
. The flower to which the song's lyrics refer is one of England's national emblems, the Tudor Rose
. The song's popularity has led to some calls for it to replace God Save the Queen
as the English sporting anthem.
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
song written by Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
composer Ivor Novello
Ivor Novello
David Ivor Davies , better known as Ivor Novello, was a Welsh composer, singer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. Born into a musical family, his first successes were as a songwriter...
in 1937 for his musical 'Crest of the Wave
Crest of the Wave (musical)
Crest of the Wave is a musical with book and music by Ivor Novello and lyrics by Christopher Hassall.It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London, on 1 September 1937, starring Novello as both hero and villain, Dorothy Dickson, Olive Gilbert, Walter Crisham and Edgar Elmes...
'. Contrary to some reports, it was not popularised by Vera Lynn
Vera Lynn
Dame Vera Lynn, DBE is an English singer-songwriter and actress whose musical recordings and performances were enormously popular during World War II. During the war she toured Egypt, India and Burma, giving outdoor concerts for the troops...
during the war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
years. The only recording which she made of the song was on the long-playing album 'More Hits of the Blitz' released in 1966 and which has been included on several Compact Disc releases. This was the choice of her producer, the (then) recently hired David Gooch, who also produced the final album recorded by Alma Cogan
Alma Cogan
Alma Cogan was an English singer of traditional pop music in the 1950s and early 1960s. Dubbed "The Girl With the Laugh/Giggle/Chuckle In Her Voice", she was the highest paid British female entertainer of her era...
. The song was played by Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith
Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, DBE , better known as Maggie Smith, is an English film, stage, and television actress who made her stage debut in 1952 and is still performing after 59 years...
in the motion picture A Private Function
A Private Function
A Private Function is a 1984 British comedy film starring Michael Palin and Maggie Smith. The film was predominantly filmed in Ilkley and Ben Rhydding, West Yorkshire. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival....
and also by Patricia Routledge
Patricia Routledge
Katherine Patricia Routledge, CBE is an English character comedy actress and singer. She is best known for her role as character Hyacinth Bucket in the British television series Keeping Up Appearances and Hetty Wainthropp in the British television series Hetty Wainthropp Investigates...
in an episode of Keeping Up Appearances
Keeping Up Appearances
Keeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke for the BBC. Centred on the life of eccentric, social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket , the sitcom portrays a social hierarchy-ruled British society...
. The flower to which the song's lyrics refer is one of England's national emblems, the Tudor Rose
Tudor rose
The Tudor Rose is the traditional floral heraldic emblem of England and takes its name and origins from the Tudor dynasty.-Origins:...
. The song's popularity has led to some calls for it to replace God Save the Queen
God Save the Queen
"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
as the English sporting anthem.
Lyrics
- Grown in one land alone
- Where proud winds have blown
- There’s not a flower born of the shower
- Braver than England’s own
- Though gales of winter blow
- Piercing hail and snow
- Shining she stays bright as in days of yore
- Old England’s pride still blossoms
- Fresh on England’s shore
- Rose of England thou shall fade not here
- Proud and bright from growing year to year
- Red shall thy petals be as rich wine untold
- Shared by thy warriors who served thee of old
- Rose of England breathing England’s air
- Flower of chivalry beyond compare
- While hand and heart endure to cherish thy prime
- Thou shalt blossom to the end of time
- Rose of England breathing England’s air
- Flower of liberty beyond compare
- While hand and heart endure to cherish thy prime
- Thou shalt blossom to the end of time