American Reacts to I Vow To Thee My Country by The Bands of HM Royal Marines

In this video I react to I Vow to Thee My Country, performed by The Royal Marines Band Service. This was the second version of this song I've heard and I thought it was absolutely amazing.
Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this reaction please give this video a thumbs up, share your thoughts in the comments and click the subscribe button to follow my journey to learn about my British and Irish ancestry.
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[@martinparker8731]

Ex Royal Marine here, this is basically the unofficial anthem of the Marines and never fails to bring me to tears every time I hear it

[@philgreen8277]

God bless you Royal. 🙏

[@JonCape]

Thank you for your service

[@davegregory4291]

Thank you Sir for your service.

[@leedavies4589]

thank you sir for your service my words cannot say how thankful i am for your duty

[@buderimosteopath641]

The Royal Marines, the elite.

[@gameram6382]

As a british ex infantry vet it gets me, 😢 crying like a baby. Iraq, Afghanistan n Ireland, and tours all over. Love my country. God save the King

[@keithbastin6193]

Thanks for your service 🙏

[@user-gx3mw7rx4n]

And we love you

[@JACarter]

Yes! God save the king!

[@paulmurfin7443]

It doesn't matter how many times i hear this it makes me so proud to be British and proud to call Britain the greatest country in the world

[@marycarver1542]

We Brits go in for understatement. We do not need to wave flags, have them in our gardens etc. We are quietly confident of our country and the part it has played in the the World. Underneath the facade, there is HUGE patriotism and love of country!

[@thewealduk9802]

110%

[@historex54tamiya]

That lady I took through trading as her Drum Major, she also served in Afghanistan as a driver and medic!

[@paul.countryman]

As a Canadian I too are of English heritage and have finally completed the research into my family history. My family of two brothers left England in 1710 for a better life in the new America. One brother settled in the New York area and the other brother traveled up into Upper Canada, which is now the province of Ontario and is part of the family tree I reside from. This song still today stirs my soul every time I hear it played. Its our motherland speaking to our spiritual family ancestors. Sending endless Blessings Mate to you and yours. God Bless & God Speed.🍁🤝🇺🇸🤝🇬🇧👍👍👍❤️💯%

[@karyne826]

👍🏻❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Maryanne-tt8jn]

Makes me so proud to be British 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧 God Save the King long may he reign God bless our Service men an women

[@philgreen8277]

The lady singing was an opera singer before joining the Royal Marines.

[@denisodea1251]

The Brits have an excellent clever and understated humour. In the credits of this version, they thank a whole range of people and the fog!.

[@sharonmartin4036]

I have lived in South Africa for 63 years, but songs like this can still bring me to tears..

[@SteveCockneyRebel]

its nice to see an American appreciate the UK, nice 1 bruv

[@paulkent2868]

thankyou from a proud Englishman

[@orangewasejected8308]

I have been that child meeting my dad on the dockside in Portsmouth, not having seen him for 9 months. It’s indescribable. I’ve also watched his ship go from the white tower knowing how long before he’s back. It’s hard, but there is pride and honour mixed up in the tears. I loved being able to go onboard a fully operational warship, and 3 times was able to go out to sea for a day onboard. From birth to 18 my dad was an on ship naval officer. This definitely brings memories back. The song is perfect for this.

[@deanunio]

Me too! I now live in Australia 🇦🇺 but go home and visit Old Portsmouth every time I’m back. I remember my dad driving to the dockyard before leaving and singing Always Look On the Brightside of Life to my mum before going away for 6 months Steve - you have to go to Old Portsmouth and the dockyard when you visit the UK. So much history down there!

[@jonathanskeet5076]

I live on the Isle of Wight now and everytime the ferry slips into the harbour I look to see if maybe I'll see my dad waving across to me from the Round Tower like he used to do. (He passed away in 2003)

[@mrs.taylor9666]

@@jonathanskeet5076 I still see darling Mum waving to me from her window, when I left in a taxi after visiting her ((18yrs. ago)! They never leave us in spirit.

[@chandarussell]

As dual British Canadian citizen I know the words by heart to this and all the other patriotic songs but this one always brings me to tears. I love it.

[@kattytatty7266]

That is so beautiful and moving, I’m in tears. 🇬🇧❤️🇺🇸

[@karenparle4955]

Love this hymn all of us Brits sang this in junior school. It’s so beautiful means so much to us we are so proud of our history our heritage and our ancestors we have been around for a long time and we still keep on going contributing to the world. You should be proud of your ancestry too Steve God Bless you .

[@Walesbornandbred]

We used to sing this in school, my favourite hymn. When you hear a choir singing this it gives you shivers.

[@saiken811]

Yes! I loved singing this hymn in the school chapel back in the good old days! Being the little rascals that we were, we would sometimes mess around with lyrics of other hymns. But not this one, everyone would be on their best performance when signing this hymn.

[@chrismackett9044]

The poem, later set to music by Gustav Holst, was written by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, UK ambassador to the USA during the First World War and who was instrumental in persuading Woodrow Wilson to join the war on the Allied side.

[@sean54mc28]

2 females, one male, female proudly showing her medals of honour, true inclusion as it should be an now is great

[@paganoutdoors3193]

Such a wonderful rendition, gives me goosebumps every time...

[@theotherside8258]

I'm a bit of a party pooper calling out the emperor with no clothes. I find her singing a bit flat. Not that i could sing anywhere near as good though.

[@87leeb]

This version brings me to tears every time

[@adammullarkey4996]

Fun fact: The music for "I Vow to Thee My Country" comes from the Jupiter suite of Gustav Holst's "The Planets," which also inspired John Williams while he was writing the music for Star Wars. But, yes, if you want to hear British military bands, look no further than the Royal Marines Band Service.

[@janewilson8676]

I thiink this was filmed as a tribute to all those lost after the Falklands War in 1982. The footage is of the ships coming home to a heroes welcome. It was a very emotional time and probably the last time I felt really patriotic and proud of what my country had done. It looks like it was possibly filmed on the Falklands too, where I think 12 of those lost were buried and not repatriated. That war would be a good thing for you to check out Steve. I don’t think it’s the best version of the song to be honest, as others have said check out Luke Evans singing this at last year’s Festival of Remembrance.

[@RushfanUK]

HMS Queen Elizabeth returning to port, nothing to do with the Falklands War.

[@janewilson8676]

@@RushfanUK yes I stand corrected,I got that wrong. Still,was a great time for patriotism though and this song sums it all up brilliantly.

[@kristin1980uk]

It’s HD footage and various people have iphones, sorry think it’s alot more recent than that x

[@janewilson8676]

@@kristin1980uk yes I already conceded that! Tend to forget how long ago the Falklands conflict actually was….

[@derektaylor6389]

this is not sailors returning from the falklands because they are from the aircraft carrier hms queen elizabeth which was not even built then

[@stephenblakey2063]

Brilliant song, as a royal navy veteran it brings a tear to my eye every time I listen to it! God bless all who have served and god speed to the fallen. XxX

[@keneke5162]

IT should be the OFFICIAL NATIONAL ANTHEM, never mind unofficial

[@blackcountryme]

Or Jerusalem

[@lox5962]

I love the Luke Evans rendition at the Festival of Remembrance

[@mercian7]

It was amazing..I didnt know he could sing. What a Briton.

[@Kayleigh169]

@@mercian7 he’s got a few albums out he’s brilliant

[@jasonsmart3482]

I agree that it does make a difference when the military sing it - they are our first line in conflict.

[@saturdaysun5724]

We used to sing this at school very often. So emotional when sung on Remembrance Sunday.

[@RoyMcKnight-lf4pv]

My Dad was Irish my Mum was English. Both long past away. Therefore I am English and British by birth with Irish and English Genes. A distant family member has taken part of my Mum's family History back to the 1560s. I am proud to be British.

[@Mossyz.]

Respect to you my American Brothers and sisters . Big Love

[@Brian-om2hh]

Making it into the Royal Marines is considered to be a step up Steve, as would being in a Guards Regiment.... I once knew an ex Guardsman - sadly no longer with us - and even 35 years after he finished serving, his discipline was still as resolute as ever. Even down to something like folding a towel. It had to be done neatly and perfectly.... RIP John.

[@elizabethmcintyre8529]

It was the royal marines that played it at the royal Albert Hall

[@Aine24601]

Hi im British living in London.....Watch Luke Evans at last years Festival of Remberance ....beautiful.... this is a hymn by the way. Played at Churchills Funeral etc....played all the time here..its so moving.

[@sueday5196]

I agree, Luke Evans Festival of Remembrance rendition was one of the best and emotional I have experienced.

[@ORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR13]

Your British living in London??? Never heard that before..Lols

[@BlutacVic]

Love the fact that even though you are not british I can see that it emotionally affect you love you guys

[@Rachel-em4me]

I also love this song and used to sing it in school as one of our morning hymns. Love your videos. Best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧

[@philiphughes7481]

God Save the King! 🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@barbarae-b507]

My great grandfather was in the British military. He the only survivor of an attack on his brigade in India. The military told him that he could choose the unit he wanted to go to. He chose the Light Brigade. My brother inherited his cavalry sword on my father’s death.

[@davie7967]

No one does it better than the British

[@ryanfrancis827]

Another patriotic song is Hearts of Oak, which is the anthem of the Royal Navy, it’s a wonderful piece that speaks to that branch of the military’s history

[@lauraholland347]

Many English people consider "Jerusalem" (the words are a poem by William Blake) to be our unofficial national anthem- you will have heard it on the Last Night of the Proms.

[@lauraholland347]

@Dan We didn't have Christianity imposed by the Romans- no one did, the Romans were fully into freedom of worship, and they were not Christian anyway for another couple of hundred years after the Boudiccan revolt. The druids were killed because of stirring up insurrection and human sacrifice, NOT for for not being Christian. Rome became officially Christian in the late 300's, it was never enforced here- and the Romans were gone by 410.

[@lauraholland347]

@Dan I'm not in a rage for a Christian anthem either- but I don't know of a better candidate than Jerusalem- I'm not sure the Cof E or any other variety would embrace William Blake as an ideal Christian.

[@lauraholland347]

@Dan Again they killed off the druids because of their political not religious significance- Rome is by far the least proscriptive of empires when it comes to religion. The witchcraft craze was really just a smokescreen for a landgrab- widow's were by far the biggest group prosecuted because they would own land their own right and it could be seized as payment for "witchfinding" -nothing to do with religion really- misogyny and greed, not religion.

[@lauraholland347]

@Dan You too Dan, given free rein I would choose Maggie Holland's No relation) A Place Called England.

[@stephensmith4480]

Amazing, it makes me shiver listening to it. Another Favorite of mine is Jerusalem, taken from a Poem by William Blake.

[@SeeDaRipper...]

Jerusalem should be our national anthem.

[@stephensmith4480]

@@SeeDaRipper... I couldn`t agree more. I am going to have it played when I finally Bow out.

[@rossgeorge245]

I think of my friends who died in Afghanistan they're always with me in my heart. To all who've served our 2 great nations in the armed forces. The bit that I teat up at is I heard another calling from way across the sea with wats going on in Ukraine.

[@ScrapYardDog64]

My favourite British patriotic hymn.

[@ramslife1]

Goosebumps!!!!

[@laraineweinberg2329]

Steve, look up Luke Evans singing I Vow To Thee My Country at the Royal Albert Hall..absolutely spectacular, makes me proud to be British 🇬🇧

[@MH_ZeR0]

Always loved this song and have wondered for years why it never replaced "God Save The Queen/King" as our National Anthem. Beautiful rendition as well!

[@shotts8590]

PLEASE ADD TO YOUR VIEW LIST!!!HEART OF OAK!! With vocals. the song of the Royal Navy

[@PCDelorian]

The great thing about the version by the Band of HM Royal Marines, along with so much else is the middle verse which is rarely heard.

[@stephenbesley3177]

Yes, my personal favourite too of all the alternative British Anthems. I imagine any cvountry could play this song as it isn't nation specific but I for one am proud of our musical heritage. For other patriotic songs they vary around the British isles but my two would be Land of my Fathers for Wales and my immediate thought Jerusalem for England. Other Welsh might be Men of Harlech or/and Sospan Fach. Scots have their favourites too but popular and fairly recent is Flower of Scotland. Danny boy is a popular one in Ireland which you might already be familiar WITH from St. Patricks day being popul;ar in the US alternatives might include The Fields of Athenry.. I always appreciate input from my Scots/Welsh and Irish irish cousins

[@Layla462]

I first saw this version on Facebook and I really love it. It does make me proud to be English/British.

[@trishwicks3590]

The 2022 Festival of Remembrance begins with this beautiful song sung by a gentleman during the March In and is currently on YOU TUBE also❤️🇺🇸

[@-TomH]

This should be an avertising campaign!!! If this doesnt get you pumped nothing will!!!!!

[@elaineduncanson1474]

Diana asked for this hymn at her wedding since it had been her school’s hymn and she had sung it at every assembly.

[@jacquelinepearson2288]

Recently I discovered a 5 minute video - Queen Elizabeth II State Funeral (I Vow to Thee My Country). It features highlights of the days up to and including the funeral, and ends with photos from her life. In the background there is an orchestral version of the song (no singing), but the images and the music together are beautiful.

[@elizabethmair2948]

It was so beautiful

[@gdok6088]

Awesome rendition of I Vow To Thee My Country and a great reaction video as always Steve. Your obviously genuine interest, appreciation and enjoyment of things that are part of our British culture is heartwarming. Really enjoy your channel - keep up the great work.

[@nightowl5395]

Yes, that was very special; I do know what you mean about this particular rendition and the more I hear this patriotic song the more I appreciate it. Like you, when there is a song I love, I want to hear as many different interpretations as I can find to listen to 😊

[@ThePixey1000]

Its lovely to see somone love our country so much.

[@Gambit771]

Their voices are drowned out by the excellent music but still a great version. As England doesn't have an official anthem, this should be it.

[@jillosler9353]

That had me in tears! If you want to check out another offering of this patriotic song then there is one in black and white on KZbin showing the 'unknown warrior' coming home from the death fields of World War I. The words are also shown.

[@ItsAHedgehog]

There was a brilliant version sung at the ANZAC dawn service at Gallipoli a few days. Sat here bawling my eyes out.

[@angvannuil9280]

As a Zimbabwean by birth this has many many memories an tears we sang it at school assembly an other occasions , ,, memories of our fallen 💔

[@jeanglendinning1860]

thisalways brings tears to my eyes whenever i hear it

[@AndrewRoberts11]

Have a look at the Aussie equivalent - "And the band played Waltzing Matilda - Lancer Band"

[@markorzel2105]

One of my favourite videos do to this song, coming from a military family and many Royal Navy it really hits home.

[@colindixon7976]

This is my absolute favourite military song

[@iansanderson7369]

I love my country

[@user-dy2km5mv5t]

Needs to be the UK national anthem

[@gregw1973]

Good stuff Steve.... I salute you. Props from UK 🇬🇧✌🇺🇸

[@tenniskinsella7768]

Well said

[@carolryan9871]

This is for all service men and women regardless of where they serve. Men an women serve with honour and pride and I am very thankful that they do.

[@YorkshireinManila]

66 year old Englishman, who left the shoes of England aged 22 to work in 11 different countries....but this will always bring the goosebumps, the edge of tears at my eyes and the overwhelming feeling of pride in my country. Yes there are problems and prats and politicians in our country but our ability to stir the senses with such wonderful music and the strong stirrings of loyalty and patriotism outweighs all of that.

[@vaudevillian7]

My absolute favourite of our unofficial national anthems, I’d prefer it to be the official one

[@minty447]

or land of hope and glory

[@vaudevillian7]

@@minty447 that’s okay, I much prefer this one personally though

[@Radio4ManLeics]

British Patriotic Songs cover themes which cover our National Character. Just pick the one for your particular occasion. Land of Hope Glory - Pride, in our land Jerusalem - Hope & Determination Rule Britannia - Faith in Freedom I Vow toThee My Country - Duty & Sacrifice Abide with me - Endurance in the face of disaster

[@Alice-lw9mg]

Goosebumps, beautiful.

[@rogermann9835]

Did it make you feel jolly? The tune was purloined from "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity", which is the 4th movement of the 7 movement orchestral suite "the Planets" by Gustav Holst, an Englishman despite his name (his father's family was of mixed Latvian, Swedish and German descent). Written during the First World War, the work received its first performance in 1918 and immediately became very popular. The composer sought to reflect the astrological significance of each planet in in its music, hence Jupiter's association with jollity and nobility of feeling. When Cecil Spring Rice added words to turn it into a patriotic hymn around the time of his Holst's death his daughter Imogen Holst was furious, saying that Rice had completely falsified the meaning and significance of her father's music...

[@Tube0852]

The actual tune from this Jupiter section was called Thaxted - named after the village in Essex where Holst lived. It has become an unofficial anthem for the International Rugby world cup.

[@wanderer5581]

@@Tube0852 Thaxted is my home, and the hymnal version is called ‘Thaxted’ Gustav Holsts house is of course blue plaques, but whenever I hear this piece wherever I am in the world it takes me home to my little town…

[@djtwo2]

There is a version in its Jupiter setting at 5:04 in kzbin.info/www/bejne/imeUm3-wmbZgY5o of SWEDEN INTERNATIONAL TATTOO 2015 V15 HM Royal Marines

[@roysimmons3549]

Typical middle class. Can't except that anything English and is English is good. Always looted from somewhere else. It's about our country not Jupiter.

[@timenow5312]

Ex Armoured Reconnaissance from West Germany and Northern Ireland in the 1970's.....I vow to thee my country, to uphold our culture, our history, our way of life and our Christian religion.

[@bernadettekenaghan3246]

I love this song its my favourite and it also bought me tears ❤❤🇬🇧

[@christopherbarnett6098]

It's a great tune. You're right about how putting a military slant on certain songs, can alter the effect it can have on the listener.

[@JACarter]

Wow! This brought me to tears.

[@pmagrin]

Performing the second verse is extremely rare. It was historically considered 'too warlike'.

[@Palmetto-cz5fm]

This is one of my favorite Patriotic Anthems from Britain and as always, I shed a tear or two. The first time I heard it, I stumbled upon it doing so research on Sir Winston Churchill. This rendition was put to film clips taken during his funeral procession in 1965. It’s all instrumental but the faces of the citizens, the Military precision, the tributes along the way, especially the scene of the boat carrying him passing the docks, brings me to tears each time. The same was done for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and is equally as moving if not more since I’ve watched and admired her all of my life. I believe I recall reading that the gentleman who created it used the same instrumental version as was used in Sir Winston Churchill’s. The Luke Evans performance during the 2022 Remembrance Ceremony was outstanding and as many have said, you should check it out as well. Again, thank you for your videos. I find them awesome and enjoy each I watch!

[@janewilson8676]

Strangely this song wasn’t sung at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral,for some reason she didn’t choose it.

[@Palmetto-cz5fm]

You are correct, it wasn’t sung at her funeral but someone created a video with clips from the procession as was done with Sir Churchills. This is the one following Sir Churchills funeral: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmi7nKVur5ife9E

[@Palmetto-cz5fm]

This rendition was published following the Queens funeral: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpO7dnyHoLR6gMk

[@jon.patience]

@@Palmetto-cz5fm As a matter of accuracy, you can use "Sir Winston Churchill," "Sir Winston," or just "Churchill." Knights and Dames aren't referred to by their title and surname, unlike commoners who would be called Mr X.

[@Palmetto-cz5fm]

@@jon.patience thank you for the correction. I do appreciate it very much!!

[@neilwilliams2409]

Katherine Jenkins rendition is worth a look.

[@chrisgrayson3821]

looks like it was filmed at the top of mount Kent, om a nice day ( nod to the RAF scopies out there)

[@marionschuller1248]

I remember this from Winston Churchill's funeral, that and all the cranes bowing down.

[@natmanprime4295]

😢 "welcome home" got me going

[@elizabethmcintyre8529]

It was the royal marines that played it at the royal Albert hall

[@jacobissac]

Please stay strong to your roots , us British are proud prople , we may be prude but when the fight comes up we will stand and fight, we are a fighting nation , regardless where we live now , meaning immigration, your roots are your roots , your a fighter regardless ❤

[@ElizabethDebbie24]

HI STEVE DEBBIE HERE FROM SOUTH WALES I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU LISTEN AND REACT TO LUKE EVANS SINGING THAT SONG FROM 2022 OPENING OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE. LUKE IS A WELSH ACTOR/SINGER AND HE GAVE ME GENUINE GOOSEBUMPS WITH HIS VERSION OF THE SONG.

[@steven54511]

Excuse me, but why are you shouting?

[@angelabushby1891]

Steve you should watch the Irish Guards Marching to Windsor Castle from Victoria Barracks,Tuesday 17th May 2022 they are brilliant

[@cloudedcolour5329]

you'd also love seeing the military wives choir from the royal festival of rememberance

[@debs6475]

Beautiful, made me cry.

[@no-oneinparticular7264]

This is the most fabulous video ever 🇬🇧

[@garryhubbard9328]

Brilliant

[@paulinejackson8105]

Love it, amazing .

[@jeanette6260]

I am a 76year 0ld Veteran and love this song

[@adelebarnes1315]

Another version you should see is: Luke Evans singing "I Vow to Thee, My Country" at the Festival of Remembrance November 2022. It's absolutely beautiful and stirring.

[@skylarjxdn7648]

It’s such a beautiful song.

[@andypbilder]

Hi Steve, Nimrod is a moving piece of music, the Remembrance Day 2009 is a good example, but also Katherine Jenkins proms in the park Amore remembrance festival and Voces8 are all good variations they all make the hairs on your neck stand up.

[@66marlinmike]

The second verse of this version is different I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test That lays upon the altar, the dearest and the best The love that never falters, the love that pays the price The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice I heard my country calling, away across the sea, Across the waste of waters, she calls and calls to me. Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet on her head, And around her feet are lying the dying and the dead; I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns; I haste to thee, my mother, a son among thy sons. And there's another country, I've heard of long ago Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know We may not count her armies, we may not see her king Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering And soul by soul, and silently her shining bounds increase And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace

[@DraconimLt]

I noticed that! I had the lyrics up when I was listening to the original vid and I coulddn't follow the second verse, I was like 'whats going on?' lol. Then I found the other verse on Wiki. I prefer this versions verse to the normal one to be honest though.

[@jonathanware4096]

This is the better version. About country rather than biblical.

[@BudgieBardot...]

I had a version of this sung at my wedding, just amazing hearing the whole church singing this.

[@paganphil100]

My old school song.