As promised yesterday, my updated secular and politically correct rewrite of Land Of Hope And Glory...

 

 

Land of Hope and Mercy

Mother of the Free

How shall we extol thee

Who are born of thee?

Wider still, and wider

Stretch thy welcoming arms;

Embracing all the needy

With tolerance and charm!

 

Dear Land of Hope, thy hope is crowned.

We’ll make thee more merciful yet!

On kindly 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 Welfare State 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 crimes our sires commit:

Thy joy is true when time is spent

making amends for it.