Let's hear it for God Save The King! (Or Queen, or My country, 'tis of thee? Very popular these songs... but parodies both. (A parody is a new set of words to an existing tune.) Though the tune was known in the 18th century, the first known printing in England was in 1744 (Harmonia anglica). Around 1745 it was played quite a bit in the London theatres which led to its raging popularity. On the continent it was printed at least as early as 1763. It has served as the anthem of at least 20 countries.

In some German states the lyrics started: "Heil dir im Siegerkranz." My Country, 'tis...etc. is attributed to Rev. Samuel Francis Smith (1831). By that time is was so popular in the U.S. that it was called, God Save America, God save George Washington, God Save the Thirteen States, etc.

In the 1790s the tune appeared as a hymn in Denmark. Beethoven, Paganini, Donizetti, Weber, and others included it in their various compositions.

Confused? Read on.

Carl Maria von Weber wrote his Jubilee Overture, Op.59 (1818) for the fiftieth anniversary of the King of Saxony, August I's coming to the throne. Franz Liszt transcribed all three of Weber's overtures (Oberon, Die Freischutz and Jubelouvertüre) for the piano in the 1840s. Liszt evidently regarded Weber as an equal to Beethoven and Mozart as he often included their works together in his concerts. Listen to the Weber/Liszt mad take!

There is a definite relationship between the song and the material used in the overture. At the last 18 bars comes the giddiest rendition of the tune one is ever likely to hear. It must have been designed to give all pianists finger cramps. Another time (1686) and another country (France). Imagine, if you will, 300 well-born ladies sweetly singing (if 300 of anything can sound sweet) God Save the... Ooops... Sauvez le roi, as Louis XIV wandered in on a visit. Louis had had an unpleasant operation and was just getting back on his feet. This was the grand opening of the St. Cyr School for young women created for the daughters of the down-at-the-heels petty aristocracy. Lully wrote the music but that has been lost. The school was the brain-child of Mme de Maintenon -- the king's mistress -- who, by now, was secretly his wife. (Things could be complicated in the 17th century.)

The French text is by Mme de Brinon a great pal of Mme de Maintenon.	The English text is anonymous.
Grand Dieu sauvez le roi Grand Dieu vengez le roi Vive le roi. Qu'à jamais glorieux Louis victorieux Voie ses ennemis toujours soumis Vive le roi.	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.

Mitford in her book The Sun King says that this was the direct source of God Save The King. The author of the English words is really unknown. Gentleman's Magazine printed them in 1747. Presently the only other country using the tune as its national anthem is Liechtenstein. (O-ben am jungen.) And then there's Liszt's take on God Save The Queen. One suspects Victoria would not have been "amused." It could have restarted the 30 years war...