National Anthem Comparison
United Kingdom vs Ireland
0
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
162
162 years apart
✓
Same continent
United Kingdom
God Save the King
Comparison Analysis
United Kingdom and Ireland, both Europe nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. United Kingdom's "God Save the King" was written in 1745, while Ireland's "The Soldier's Song" dates to 1907.
The two anthems take different thematic approaches. United Kingdom's focuses on Monarchy, God / Faith, Love of homeland and Hope, while Ireland's centers on Battle / War, Freedom, Resilience and Ancestors / Heritage.
The emotional tones differ: United Kingdom's anthem is Majestic, while Ireland's is Fierce.
United Kingdom's anthem predates Ireland's by 162 years, having been written in 1745 compared to 1907.
Shared themes
United Kingdom
👑 Monarchy ✝ God / Faith ❤ Love of homeland 🌅 Hope
Ireland
⚔ Battle / War 🕊 Freedom 💪 Resilience 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage
Metadata
| United Kingdom | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1745 | 1907 |
| Adopted | 1745 | 1926 |
| Lyricist | Unknown (traditionally attributed to Henry Carey) | Peadar Kearney |
| Composer | Unknown | Peadar Kearney / Patrick Heeney |
| Language | en | ga |
| Region | Northern Europe | Northern Europe |
Lyrics Side by Side
United Kingdom
God Save the King
Original
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!
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter his enemies
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!
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!
Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world o'er.
Translation
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!
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter his enemies
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all!
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!
Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world o'er.
Ireland
Amhrán na bhFiann
Original
[Curfá]
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
Atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor,
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh, canaídh amhrán na bhFiann.
Translation
[Chorus]
We are the Soldiers of Destiny,
Pledged to Ireland,
Some of our host
Have come to us from across the waves.
Sworn to be free,
Our ancient land henceforth
Shall shelter neither tyrant nor slave.
Tonight we step into the gap of danger,
For love of the Gaels, to death or life,
With rifles' screech amid the hail of bullets,
Come forth, sing The Soldiers' Song.
Interesting facts
United Kingdom
- 1. The melody has been used by over 20 countries for their anthems, including Germany (before 'Deutschlandlied'), Russia (under the Tsars), and the United States ('My Country, 'Tis of Thee')
- 2. There is a rarely performed verse that calls for crushing rebellious Scots, which is diplomatically omitted at official events
- 3. After Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, the lyrics changed from 'Queen' to 'King' for the first time in over 70 years, requiring updated recordings across the Commonwealth
Ireland
- 1. The Irish-language version, 'Amhran na bhFiann,' was translated by Liam O Rinn, and while it is the sole official version, most Irish citizens learn it phonetically since only about 2% speak Irish daily.
- 2. Peadar Kearney, who wrote the anthem, was the uncle of playwright Brendan Behan, creating a literary family whose works bookend Irish cultural identity from revolution to modern drama.
- 3. The anthem is played before every Gaelic football and hurling match at Croke Park, making it one of the most frequently performed national anthems in the world due to the GAA's packed fixture calendar.
Listen
United Kingdom
Ireland
