(Gibson) On his forthcoming Americana album, primarily a collection of classic American folk songs, Neil Young also covers the U.K. national anthem, "God Save the Queen."The British national anthem was also a "de facto" anthem for the United States before the adoption of "The Star Spangled Banner." But as a Canadian, Young is still a member of the British Commonwealth.
"Written in the 18th century with possible melodic roots in the 17th century, this anthem has been sung throughout the British Commonwealth and may have been sung in North America before the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence in 1776, which rejected British sovereignty," Young notes of the song's pedigree.
"The Americana arrangement draws from the original melody and changes some melody and lyrics in the folk process." more on this story
