My father has a recording from a long-ago last night of the Proms-I vididly remember the whole audience belting out "God Save the Queen", with the orchestra stopping playing (horrid phrase that, sorry) and singing along for the last verse.

cece most people don't know the words of the last verse of GSTQ as it is seldom sung. I remember having to learn it for the Coronation (God that dates me) and attending an outdoor service for school children. It poured with rain and we kids spent the rest of the day annoying our parents who along with neighbours and the milkman were trying to watch the service on a very small TV screen.

Dido the Proms is on in the background as I write this.
One of the few occasions when the British really let their hair down (other than drunken football fans) I like to see the flags of so many nations being waved (not just Union Flags, Dragons etc) as it gives the whole evening a good international feeling. Although it's true about the jingoism you must admit we do spend the rest of the year putting ourselves down.
Dido, why is Alan Titchmarsh presenting this event? Please use your influence to have him sent back to his gardening.

Goodness, that time of the year again! When I was spending my 'year' back in the UK (which became over twelve) I used to mark 'Last night of the Proms' in my diary to remind me to watch it for the last time before we returned to Oz!
Who sang "Rule Britannia" this year and if a woman, what did she wear? I recall one year the singer had a wonderful gown that unfurled and revealed the Welsh dragon on the skirt.

Unusually, I didn't watch the Last Night this year - we were having a party, so it seemed a bit impolite to put the TV on...!

But I normally watch it, and enjoy it. I've actually been to the Last Night on two occasions, and it is a great event.

I used to go to other Proms quite regularly (though I've never been a "Prommer" as such - leave that to the youngsters!), but I haven't been for a few years. But I actually managed to get along to one this year. And as always, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and wondered why I don't go more often...

annpan, there was no soloist singing 'Rule Britannia' this time, just the choir. One year the 'fat lady' was dressed as Britannia (as found on the old 'penny') right down/up to helmet and trident. As the TV cameras panned round her considerable form I noticed she had the 'words' of R B written on the inside of her shield. ;-)

Vee,

Yes, he's obviously lost the plot - Titchmarsh, that is - and I'm afraid I haven't much influence with gardeners. If only he hadn't looked so unwatcheable, too, with that suit and Terrible tie and silly hairdo. Maureen Lipman thought something like that as well, from the enigmatic little comment she made on the suit. DP said that, as a fellow Yorkshireman, he thinks he looked like the chicken-farming cousin who had come down from the hills for the wedding!

The soloist who had the Welsh dragon on the inside of her skirt, Annpan, was the Welsh singer Della Jones - She went to the same school as me.

Dido

Dido I'll never get used ot those Welsh school uniforms.
And, of course Lipman is another daughter of Yorkshire.

Vee,

You should have seen our hats! Laugh?

How I miss these shows. Back about 1992 I recorded one of the "last nights" I wish I had taped them all. We don't get them over in the states anymore.

What thrilled me most was the whole audience singing - from memory - Blake's
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

Do they still sing it??

okay-my memory isn't quite as vivid as I thought-upon discussing this with my dad, he thinks it was "Land of Hope and Glory" that was belted out a cappella by audience and orchestra. Can't check it for sure-he GAVE AWAY his LPs when he switched over to CDs.

Daa da da da daaa da, da da dada da da....

Was it "In England's Green & Pleasant Land" which was sung at Princess Diana's funeral? (I think it was and I found it exquisite).

Occasionally, we do get the "prom" programs on classical radio stations in the US. It was on yesterday in my area but I missed it.

Without digging out my VCR Tape I remember them singing.
"Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!"

As I said this was way back maybe political correctness has taken over the Proms.

This is interesting I just did a google and picked this one out of many.

Here is a link that might be useful: Proms

Below should be a site where you can watch and listen to the Last Night of the Proms. Click on to 'Royal Albert Hall'. Part II is where the fun pieces happen; so you can join in with Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem
Don't be put off by the bangs and whistles - all part of the 'Prom-ers' silliness.
The footage is cut with scenes from several out-ot-town venues that hold 'Proms in the Park' . . . Manchester, Swansea, belfast and Glasgow.
The second half lasts for about an hour and a half. This will only be available until Sat 16th Sept though.

Take it away Minnie!

Here is a link that might be useful: Last Night of the Proms

I probably should know... but what's with Welsh school uniforms? Pictures please!

veer! I have a coin from the parade that was held in Syracuse NY to celebrate the coronation. So we are about the same age. Prince Charles is 6 months younger than I am.

I'm enchanted to know that there was a parade in Syracuse. Why? Large expat population? Big party town looking for a reason? (I know students at the U there...)

Thanks veer but I can't find the LN of the Proms on it. Can you help me out a little more? TIA

Minnie, try the site below. The trouble with some of these things is that they change from day to day.
At this end we are having problems with Firefox 'Shockwave' so I can't put any more details in the link.
I would have sent you a message but you don't have an 'e'address here.
btw I think the 'Last Night' stuff will only last until Saturday 16th.

Here is a link that might be useful: BBC 2 Prom site

thanks veer that did it!!!!

I tried on both players then found that because I'm not in the UK I can't play it. thanks anyway!!