Quote:
Originally Posted by pdurrant
Grr... so many people get that wrong! But it gives me a chance for a rant in this thread at last. I'm not sure if I'm pleased or cross!
It's not "Britannia rules the waves" but "Britannia rule the waves"
The verb "to rule" is not used in the present tense, but in the imperative. It's a command to Great Britain to rules the waves (lyrics as sung):
When Britain first, at Heaven's command
Arose from out the azure main;
Arose, arose, arose, from out the azure main;
This was the charter, the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sang this strain:
"Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves:
"Britons never, never, never, shall be slaves.
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(if you're a Briton; that is)