In a couple of weeks, the biggest classical music festival in the world starts:
BBC - Proms - Events
It ends famously with the Last Night of the Proms:
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:
"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:
"Britons never will be slaves."
Rule, Britannia! - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Last Night of the Proms (includes bonus CD) - YouTube
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!
Jerusalem - Last Night of the Proms 2009 - YouTube
Jerusalem - Last Night of the Proms - YouTube
This is the unofficial anthem for England's rugby team:
Eng vs Aus Laura Wright sings Jerusalem - YouTube
But did you know that the Beatles rescued Western music?
(from 2:08)
Howard Goodalls 20th Century Greats - The Beatles (Part 2) - YouTube
I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.
See how they run like pigs from a gun, see how they fly.
I'm crying.
Sitting on a cornflake, waiting for the van to come.
Corporation tee-shirt, stupid bloody Tuesday.
Man, you been a naughty boy, you let your face grow long.
I am the eggman, they are the eggmen.
I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob.
The Beatles I Am The Walrus HD - YouTube
The lyrics don't make much sense:
Lennon received a letter from a pupil at Quarry Bank High School, which he had attended. The writer mentioned that the English master was making his class analyse Beatles' lyrics. (Lennon wrote an answer, dated 1 September 1967, which was auctioned by Christie's of London in 1992.) Lennon, amused that a teacher was putting so much effort into understanding the Beatles' lyrics, decided to write in his next song the most confusing lyrics that he could.
I Am the Walrus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This was the song which closed the London Olympics in 2012:
Russell Brand Olympics Closing Ceremony - YouTube
Perhaps you prefer this song from the same show:
Monty Python's Eric Idle - London 2012 Performance - YouTube
Here is more fun with British music.
Do you prefer this:
The Mike Flowers Pops - Wonderwall - YouTube
... or this:
Oasis - Wonderwall - Official Video - YouTube
And do you prefer this (with a little help with your intonation):
The Beatles - With A Little Help From My Friends - YouTube
Beatles 1-Create Your Own Worksheets for "With A Little Help From My Friends"
... or this:
With A Little Help Of My Friends Joe Cocker - YouTube
Meanwhile, there is the great British folk tradition - which is very much alive and kicking today:
Seth Lakeman John Lomas With Lyrics - YouTube
Jay's Grave - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Seth Lakeman - Kitty Jay - YouTube
And something a little louder:
Bellowhead - New york girls - Later Live 2nd November 2010 - YouTube
But perhaps we should finish with the greatest pop musical festival in the UK - which finished a couple of days ago:
Glastonbury Festival | The Official Glastonbury Festival Website
Two years ago, the headline act was the Rolling Stones:
The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash @ Glastonbury [HQ] - YouTube
They were part of the original 'British Invasion' in the early 1960s:
British Invasion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
British Invasion II: The Rolling Stones | Rock and Roll: An American Story
Did you know that the Rolling Stones saved the Blues?
Giving America Back the Blues | Rock and Roll: An American Story
teachrock.org/resources/video/embed/rolling-stones-little-red-rooster-1965/
And that British Blues players are considered among the best?
CHUCK BERRY, ERIC CLAPTON, KEITH RICHARDS - Wee Wee Hours - YouTube
Which brings us to some more controversy:
Jay Doubleyou: racial issues
To finish, here's a good place to go for music:
BBC - iPlayer Radio
BBC - Music Clips - Classic Pop & Rock
BBC - Radio 1
BBC - Radio 2 - Home
BBC - Radio 3 - Home
And an excellent series on the BBC about music:
BBC Two - Howard Goodall's Story of Music
howard goodall's story of music - YouTube
And a good place or two to go for some help with your English:
Musical English Lessons International
Jay Doubleyou: more music and song websites for learning english
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