Land of Nope and Glory! Last Night of the Proms loses 40% of its TV viewers as 1.4 million Britons switch off after row over 'imperialist' Rule, Britannia! lyrics
by Amie Gordon For Mailonline- The BBC made U-turn to include British anthems at Royal Albert Hall concert
- But the move failed to impress as 40 per cent of viewers switched off the show
- Average 2.1 million viewers performance, down from 3.5 million in recent years
The BBC lost more than one million viewers for the Last Night of the Proms, after weeks of controversy over the event.
Audiences tuned in to watch performances of Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory, which were included in the schedule following an eleventh hour U-turn by the BBC.
But the move failed to win over viewers with just 2.1 million tuning in – down from some 3.5 million in recent years.
According to official figures by overnights.tv, the programme attracted some 12 per cent of Saturday night's television audience.
History of Rule, Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory
Rule, Britannia! originates from the poem of the same name by Scottish poet and playwright James Thomson, and was set to music by English composer Thomas Arne in 1740.
It gained popularity in the UK after it was first played in London in 1745 and became symbolic of the British Empire, most closely associated with the British Navy.
The song has been used as part of a number of compositions, including Wagner's concert overture in D Major in 1837 and Beethoven's orchestral work, Wellington's Victory.
The song has been an integral part of the annual Remembrance Day ceremony since 1930, when it became the first song played in the programme known as The Traditional Music.
It regained popularity at the end of WWII in 1945 after it was played at the ceremonial surrender of the Japanese imperial army in Singapore.
Rule, Britannia is usually played annually during at the BBC's Last Night of the Proms.
But its inclusion has promoted controversy in recent years as it was deemed too patriotic.
The song 'Land of Hope and Glory' is based on the trio theme from Elgar's Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1, which was originally premiered in 1901.
It caught the attention of King Edward VII after it became the only piece in the history of the Proms to receive a double encore.
King Edward suggested that this trio would make a good song, and so Elgar worked it into the last section of his Coronation Ode, to be performed at King Edward's coronation.
The BBC had sparked a furious debate after announcing Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory would be performed without lyrics.
There was huge public outcry after then director-general Tony Hall last month said the much-loved anthems, a traditional finale to the Last Night, would not be sung.
It came amid controversy surrounding the songs’ alleged historical links with colonialism and slavery.
But new director-general Tim Davie reversed the move on his second day in the job last week, paving the way for the BBC Singers to lead a chorus of patriotic Britons who joined in from the comfort of their own homes.
A reduced orchestra of 65 instead of the usual 300 performed live at the Royal Albert Hall - but without an audience due to coronavirus restrictions - with the singers placed in the stalls to ensure social distancing.
The concert featured South African soprano Golda Schultz with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under its principal guest conductor Dalia Stasevska.
Violinist Nicola Benedetti stepped in to perform during The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams after Lisa Batiashvili pulled out due to illness.
Introducing the show, host Katie Derham said: 'Our orchestra, singers and some very special guests are standing by for an evening of classical treats, show songs and all your traditional favourites.'
The show was screened in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea to a socially distanced audience of hundreds.
Some of the lyrics deemed controversial in the songs include the Rule, Britannia! lines: 'Britons never, never, never shall be slaves', and: 'The nations, not so blest as thee / Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall / While thou shalt flourish great and free: The dread and envy of them all.'
Ms Stasevska, the conductor, spoke out amid the controversy to say she played no role in the decision to strip the pieces of lyrics.
The BBC Proms later said that, 'both pieces will now include a select group of BBC singers.'
A spokesman added: 'This means the words will be sung in the hall, and as we have always made clear, audiences will be free to sing along at home.'
The BBC's initial decision to play instrumental versions of the anthems prompted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to weigh in on the debate, insisting 'it's time we stopped out cringing embarrassment about our history.'
'I cannot believe... that the BBC is saying that they will not sing the words of Land of Hope And Glory or Rule Britannia! as they traditionally do at the end of The Last Night of The Proms,' he added.
Rule, Britannia! lyrics
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.
When Britain first, at heaven's command,
Arose from out the azure main,
This was the charter of the land,
And Guardian Angels sang this strain:
The nations not so blest as thee
Must, in their turn, to tyrants fall,
While thou shalt flourish great and free:
The dread and envy of them all.
Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful from each foreign stroke,
As the loud blast that tears the skies
Serves but to root thy native oak.
Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame;
All their attempts to bend thee down
Will but arouse thy generous flame,
But work their woe and thy renown.
To thee belongs the rural reign;
Thy cities shall with commerce shine;
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles, thine.
The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coasts repair.
Blest isle! with matchless beauty crowned,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves
Land of Hope and Glory lyrics
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!
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
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