THERE'S talk of scrapping the National Anthem.

All sorts of reasons are given.

Some people think that the monarchy has come to the end of its useful life and see the National Anthem as outdated. Others think that asking God to bless a particular monarch smacks of favouritism.

One thing I am grateful for is that we have long stopped the singing of some of the very problematic verses such as "Scatter our enemies, confound their politics, frustrate their knavish tricks". This makes it sound as if the British are all pure, while other nations are always in the wrong.

What is less well known is that after the First World War an official peace version of the anthem was published. One verse goes as follows:

Of many a race and birth,

From utmost ends of earth,

God save us all.

Bid strife and hatred cease,

Bid hope and joy increase,

Spread universal peace,

God save us all."

Now that I can agree with! But rather than wanting to modify the anthem, some want to scrap it altogether.

It has even been suggested that we get a modern songwriter to come up with something completely new.

Perhaps people haven't heard of Consignia. A short while ago the Post Office decided to rebrand itself and chose the new name Consignia. The word was carefully chosen so as not to have any dubious meanings in any foreign languages. The problem is that the rebranding hasn't worked. The Post office is now looking for another new name or even taking back the title of The Post Office.

Taking things to bits is always easier than putting things back together again. It's like Humpty Dumpty. All the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty together again.

My argument for keeping the National Anthem is that it would be virtually impossible to put something else in its place. I admit that it has problems, but finding something that the whole nation could sing with no reservations would be impossible. It would end up being something totally banal.

So let's stick with what we've got and sing it as a blessing on our nation. Not a blessing that tries to twist God's arm to favour us over against others. But to ask God's grace that, as a nation, we may play our part in bringing justice and peace to the world.

Michael Williams, Vicar of Bolton Parish Church.