GOD SAVE THE KING (or QUEEN), the burden and common title of the English national anthem. Concerning the author and the composer opinions differ. It has been as serted that Henry Carey, who lived about the middle of the 18th century, was both; but, being ignorant of the rules of composition, employed Dr. Thornton, of Bath, or, according to some, Christopher Smith, Handel's clerk, to correct his rough draught, and add the bass. This story gave rise to the assertion that Handel was the composer. The words and music were first published in Harmonica Anglicana in 1742 and reprinted in the Gentleman's Magazine in 1745, when the landing of the young Stuart called forth expressions of loyalty from the adherents of the reigning family. After Dr. Arne, the composer of Britannia," had brought it on the stage, it became very popular. Accord ing to a notice in the New Monthly Magazine, Vol. IV, page 389, there is a copy of this na tional song, published without date by Riley and Williams, in which Antony Young, organ ist in London, is called the author of the air.
There is also a story that this national song, as Burney, the author of the 'History of Music,' maintained, was not made for King George; but that, in the older versions, it ran thus, °God save great James our king"; and Burney adds, that it was originally written and set to music for the chapel of James II, but that no one dared own or sing it after the abdication of James, so that the song lay dormant 60 years before it was revived for George II. Another account ascribes the air to John Bull, who was organist to the chapel of Queen Elizabeth in the last years of her reign. Translated by Heinrich Herries in 1790, it was adapted by G. B. Schumacher as the Prussian national anthem. The American hymn, 'My Country, 'Tis of Thee,' is set to this tune. Consult Bateman on 'National Anthems> (Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. 275, 1893) ; Hadden, 'God Save the Queen Myths' (Argosy, Vol. 72, 1900) ; Cummings, 'God Save the King' (1902). See NATIONAL HYMNS.