Something for the weekend.  I cannot leave our loyal readers with only the caterwauling of Nero/Ustinov as their musical treat for the weekend.  My oldest son recently graduated from high school and Pomp and Circumstance, as usual, was played.  In England they have the patriotic song Land of Hope and Glory set to the same tune.  Here it is sung by the legendary Vera Lynn, whose unforgettable voice  did so much to keep up the spirit of the British forces during WWII that she was acclaimed as the Sweetheart of the British Forces, a title which has recently passed to the Welsh songstress Katherine Jenkins for her tireless efforts to entertain the British troops serving in Afghanistan.

Solo
    Dear Land of Hope, thy hope is crowned,
       God make thee mightier yet !
    On Sov’ran brows, beloved, renowned,
       Once more thy crown is set.
   Thine equal laws, by Freedom gained,
       Have ruled thee well and long ;
   By Freedom gained, by Truth maintained,
       Thine Empire shall be strong.

Chorus
            Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free,
            How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee?
            Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set;
            God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet,
            God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.

Solo
    Thy fame is ancient as the days,
       As Ocean large and wide :
    A pride that dares, and heeds not praise,
       A stern and silent pride ;
    Not that false joy that dreams content
       With what our sires have won ;
    The blood a hero sire hath spent
       Still nerves a hero son.

Chorus