Land of Hope and Glory

A British patriotic song with lyrics by A. C. Benson, set to the trio melody of Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1.

Edward Elgar: An English composer whose works include the Enigma Variations and the Pomp and Circumstance Marches. He composed the march melody later fitted with Benson’s patriotic words.
Trio (music): A contrasting middle section in a march or other musical form. The song’s melody is the trio section of Elgar’s march.
Last Night of the Proms: The annual closing concert of the BBC Proms, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Its communal performance has made the song a defining feature of the event.
British nationalism: Political identification with Britain as a nation and support for its national interests. The song’s celebration of Britain makes it an enduring expression of national feeling.
A. C. Benson: An English writer and academic who served as master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. He wrote the lyrics for the song at Elgar’s request.
Pomp and Circumstance Marches: A set of five orchestral marches composed by Edward Elgar between 1901 and 1930. The song draws its tune from the first march in this set.
BBC Proms: An annual summer season of classical music concerts in the United Kingdom. The song is strongly associated with the Proms’ patriotic closing traditions.
British Empire: A global empire ruled or administered by Britain from the early modern period into the twentieth century. The lyrics’ imperial language reflects the context in which the song was written.
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1: A 1901 orchestral march by Edward Elgar, whose central trio became the melody of “Land of Hope and Glory.” The song uses this march’s trio, expanded with Benson’s words.
A-flat major: A major key whose tonic note is A-flat. Elgar’s trio melody, and the song’s familiar setting, are in this key.

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