God save the queen! - Royal anthem - United Kingdom
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God Save the Queen

The Question:

An aquaintance of mine does not believe that the national anthem once contained a verse or some lines that was not very complimentary to the Scots. Could I please have a copy of the complete royal anthem (national anthem) of the United Kingdon, as it was, back a couple of hundred years ago? (1)

The Answer:

I believe the verse you are looking for is (2):

God grant that Marshall Wade,
May by thy mighty aid, victory bring,
May he sedition hush,
and like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush,
God save the King.

It was never officially included. That verse was sung in theatres in London during the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. GSTQ didn't become the national anthem until c1790 and that verse has never been part of it. (3)

The Marshal Wade stanza is not the only change that has been made. Until George V asked for it to be changed, one line read (4):

"Frustrate their popish tricks"

Additional Answer:

According to the Canadian Heritage article Royal Anthem 'God Save The Queen', the song is sung in the United Kingdom as a matter of tradition.  It has never been proclaimed the national anthem by an Act of Parliament or a Royal Proclamation. ... 'God Save The Queen' has no legal status in Canada, although it is considered as the royal anthem, to be played in the presence of members of the Royal Family or as part of the salute accorded to the Governor General and the lieutenant governors. .. 'God Save The Queen' is in the public domain and may be used without having to obtain permission from the Government.

Sources:

(1) From: John Crighton
Newsgroups: soc.culture.scottish
Subject: Wanted, words to God Save The Queen before it was modified
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999
Organization: Customer of Connect.com.au Pty. Ltd.

(2) From: spam@nospam.com
Newsgroups: soc.culture.scottish
Subject: Re: Wanted, words to God Save The Queen before it was modified
Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999
Organization: Customer of Planet Online

(3) From: Roderick MacDonald
Newsgroups: soc.culture.scottish
Subject: Re: Wanted, words to God Save The Queen before it was modified
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999

(4) From: James Silverton
Newsgroups: soc.culture.scottish
Subject: Re: Wanted, words to God Save The Queen before it was modified
Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999

(5) Canadian Heritage article Royal Anthem 'God Save The Queen'

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