Rule britania

[happy daze john in oz]

Today I observed a copy of Last Night at the Proms for 2011. As is usual for this prestigious event 'Rule Britania' was sung with gusto by the crowds there, as well as in Hyde Park and County Down.
Listening to the words of Elgar brought on a feeling of nostalgia, nostalgia tinged with sadness and joy.
The words, 'Britania Rules the Waves' what a wonderful concept.

A concept that Drake, Railegh, and Nelson would have been proud of. Yes there were times for many centuries when Britania ruled the waves, when British ships could be seen in every port around the globe. When 60% of the worlds shipping was proudly British. In the days when British ship building was the envy of the world, a time when the best made liners, tankers, cargo ships, bulk carriers proudly flying the Red Duster would be seen in any port. When great shipping lines such as Cunard, P&O, UCL, Blue Star, and many more graced the oceans of the world.

Now there are no British ship yards left to build those great ships in, no British ships sailing the high seas, virtualy no great British Merchant navy left.

The melody went on, 'Britains never ever ever shall be slaves'.
The nation has been through many conflicts over history, from the time of William the conquerer, the Spanish Amada, the battle of Trafalgar, the battle of Waterloo. The nation beat off two attempts in world wars and stayed free. But I fear now much of that freedom is going with the conquest of the UK by the EU.

Then the crowd joined in 'Land of Hope and Glory' I then began to see the irony in this piece.
There was a time when such words rang true, and stirred the hearts of men to greater glory. But now I read the media and begin to wonder, are the days of Hope and Glory in decline.

Now as an ex-pat I still have some wonderful memories of a younger man in a great country, and no doubt some parts still are, but I wonder about the future of this once world dominating nation, a nation that once had an Empire covering almost one third of the world.
I will contain those memories of leafy country lanes, of great British pubs, of a life style synonomous with those great tunes.
But the fact remains, nostalgia 'aint what it used to be.

[Captain Kong]

You said it all, John.
Brian,..... going to down some true English Real Ale to reminisce of bygone days. then weep..

[Keith Tindell]

Absolutely right John, when i first went to sea in 1958, i was told by various seamen on board,that the British could get a ship into any port in the world within 48 hrs, such was the size of our fleet. I do not know how true this was, but even tho to put the boast out, shows how big we were. Alas those days gone forever, regards KT

[Capt Bill Davies]

The melody went on, 'Britains never ever ever shall be slaves'.
.

John,

You can sing that to the 'Irish Travellers' recently sentenced.

Bill

[Lou Barron]

Yes Britain did rule the waves many years ago but after world war 2 it was kickedin the butt . During the war Britain was down on its knees but they still carried on.As Napoleon said many years ago they did not know when they were beat . It makes you wander who won the war .America did alright and even now Germany and Japan are doing pretty good

[Captain Kong]

It does make you wonder who won the war, Lou,
Many many thousands of British people lost their lives freeing europe from the Dictatorship
Now we are under the Dictatorship of europe.
So we should hang all the europhiles in Britain for high treason.
So what was that all about. We should just have let Germany just take us over in 1939 and saved a lot of lives. The result is still the same. We are still under the Dictatorship of europe.
Brian.

[Tony Wilding]

I Realize Shipping has changed in design, because of Containerization, but would never have believed we would become of lesser status with regards of ships flying the Red Ensign, and numbers of British Seaman, and virtually no Shipbuilding.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Today I observed a copy of Last Night at the Proms for 2011. As is usual for this prestigious event 'Rule Britania' was sung with gusto by the crowds there, as well as in Hyde Park and County Down.

But the fact remains, nostalgia 'aint what it used to be.

Adding some more from on site:

Waiting for September for the Proms 2012: The Best of British:

LINK: http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/t...ght-proms.html

K.

[Tony Wilding]

IN 1960 it was possible to start a new job every day in London, the first question asked when you phoned about a job, was, When can you start, ! No CV,s no second interviews, all Industries booming, Shipbuilding, Cars,Motor Cycles, Locomotives, Then Datsun (Nissan) cars made an appearance,also Honda Motorcycles, that started the downfall of those two Industries, Motor Cycles very quickly, Liberty Ships and T2 Tankers were sent to Japan for Jumboising, the start of Japanese domination in that Industry, then by South Korea, now China, What went wrong ? now Europe is in turmoil with one currency, too many different Cultures and Taxes and work practices for it to ever work, we are beaten before we start by cheap Oriental and Asian Labour, when there Wages are in line with ours then maybe things will change, whatever we produce they can do for less. everthing you buy now says made in China,or Korea, Japan is taking a back seat now, Rule Britannia is a memory, like our Merchant Navy.

[Keith at Tregenna]

i do recall, but have not got the proof ready and handy.

Just after WW2, an airman, that suited all criteria for a job, was turned down.

Not that his CV did not match or his bravery and medals not taken into consideration.

The colour of his skin decided.

Sad.

K.