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England fans proudly belt out ‘God Save The King' before every international match, but it has long divided opinion among supporters.
Many believe England should instead have its own national anthem, with ‘Jerusalem' emerging as the most popular alternative.
So why do we continue to use the British national anthem? FootballGroundGuide takes a look at the meaning and the history behind the debate.
Why do England sing ‘God Save the King'?
England use ‘God Save The King' because it is the official national anthem of the United Kingdom.
Unlike Scotland and Wales, which use ‘Flower of Scotland' and ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' (Land of My Fathers) respectively before football internationals, England has never adopted a separate anthem exclusively for its national team.
As one of the four constituent nations of the UK, England's official anthem remains that of the United Kingdom as a whole. Northern Ireland also uses “God Save the King” for football internationals.
The anthem dates back to the 18th century and has become synonymous with the British monarchy.
The lyrics change depending on whether the reigning monarch is a king or queen, with “God Save The Queen” sung throughout Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign before reverting to “God Save The King” following King Charles III's accession in 2022.
Why don't Scotland and Wales use ‘God Save the King'?
Although “‘God Save the King' is the official anthem of the UK, Scotland and Wales instead use songs that celebrate their own national identities.
Scotland have sung ‘Flower of Scotland' before football internationals since the 1970s, while Wales use ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau', which has been their sporting anthem for well over a century.
England has never formally selected an equivalent national anthem, meaning the UK anthem has remained in place.
Why do some England fans want ‘Jerusalem' instead?
For many supporters, ‘Jerusalem' represents England rather than Britain as a whole.
The song began life as William Blake's poem ‘And did those feet in ancient time', written in the early 19th century. The poem draws on the legend that Jesus visited England as a child, while the famous phrase “dark Satanic mills” is widely interpreted as a criticism of the Industrial Revolution's impact on the English landscape.
The poem gained widespread popularity during the First World War after composer Hubert Parry set it to music in 1916. Edward Elgar later orchestrated the piece, helping establish it as one of England's best-known patriotic songs.
Over the decades, ‘Jerusalem' has become closely associated with English identity and is regularly sung at church services on St George's Day and at major sporting events.
It has also been used as England's anthem at the Commonwealth Games and before England cricket internationals, while England Rugby Union switched from using ‘God Save The King' alone to incorporating ‘Jerusalem' before matches.
Has England ever considered changing its anthem?
The debate has surfaced repeatedly over the years.
Back in 2014, a poll asking England supporters to choose a dedicated national anthem found ‘Jerusalem' to be the preferred option ahead of ‘Land of Hope and Glory' and ‘God Save The King'.
Supporters of a change argue England should have a song that reflects its own national identity, rather than sharing the anthem of the wider United Kingdom.
However, critics of ‘Jerusalem' point to its religious themes and references to the biblical city, arguing it may not be suitable as a modern national anthem.
No official proposal to change England's football anthem has ever been adopted, meaning ‘God Save The King” continues to be sung before every Three Lions international.
:quality(65)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballgroundguide.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F06%2Fimago1026571840.jpg "Why do England sing God Save The King at football instead of Jerusalem? History, meaning and lyrics 1")
God Save The King lyrics
Only the first verse is traditionally sung before sporting events.
“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!”Jerusalem lyrics
“And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God, On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine, Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here, Among those dark Satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold, Bring me my arrows of desire, Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire, I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem, In England's green and pleasant land”