England and Saint George!

I am a patriot. I don't know if I could live abroad, I would get homesick, anyway there are too many foreigners abroad, they spoil their place, just like they can spoil my place of birth. Yes the PC brigade will object to telling it as it is, and it is not a sweeping generalisation. There are times when the union jack shorts abroad embarass me and my nation and there are times when I am pleasantly surprised by a person no matter what nationality.

However the English do not celebrate St Georges Day as others do notbaly the Irish and their St Patricks day. Hence today's entry. There are local parades in local towns tomorrow, tick box, and there are some pubs with the cross of St George bunting blowing in the spring breeze and against a blue blue blue sky.

But St George was not English. He was a Tribune in Palestine circa 300ad, and he was beheaded by the Emperor for his christian belief, hence his martyrdome converted pagans to christianity, hence the Crusaders adopted him and told of the myth that he slayed a pagan dragon and saved the sacrificial princess, converting even more to christianity. St George is also held saintly in other countries like Lithuania and Georgia.

But I have a statue of him on my living room window sill slaying the dreadful dragon. I have England T shirts too. So after this weekend we will not be flying the flag until the World Cup in 2 months in South Africa when we will be glued to our sets willing our team on to victory.

Which is a nice link to the Battle of Agincourt where Henry V ralied his out numbered troops against the French to win a famous victory.

Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry! England and Saint George!

And, we cant let this day pass without some music can we, so singalong with Allan:

Land of Hope and Glory


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!

Truth and Right and Freedom, each a holy gem,
Stars of solemn brightness, weave thy diadem.

Tho' thy way be darkened, still in splendour drest,
As the star that trembles o'er the liquid West.

Throned amid the billows, throned inviolate,
Thou hast reigned victorious, thou has smiled at fate.

Land of Hope and Glory, fortress of the Free,
How may we extol thee, praise thee, honour thee?

Hark, a mighty nation maketh glad reply;
Lo, our lips are thankful, lo, our hearts are high!

Hearts in hope uplifted, loyal lips that sing;
Strong in faith and freedom, we have crowned our King!

Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free,
God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet!

God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier........ yet!


and now a bit of Pomp and Circumstance by Englishmen Elgar of course

until, next time..........


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moL4MkJ-aLk


Stiring stuff huh goosebumps