WHAT A strange land we live in at times.

The fuss created in some quarters over Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, not singing God Save the Queen is an absurdity matched only by the anthem itself.

Mr Corbyn and others were at the service to commemorate the Battle of Britain and those who fought and died in one of the most pivotal episodes of World War II.

And that is what he did. His words on the matter conveyed the respect he felt.

But in the outrage that followed you are left wondering about the purpose of these events.

The Queen didn’t fly a Spitfire. She was no more involved in the Battle of Britain than Jeremy Corbyn was.

The event, which should have been about remembering and respecting the bravery of the men and women who did play a part, ended up being about showing deference to the monarch or the lack of it.

Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t agree with a monarchy so why should he sing a song about saving it.

The national anthem is yet another anomaly in modern democratic Britain.

We afford great wealth, respect and privilege to a few by nature purely of their birth, then we sing a song about how grateful we are and how it us who are the lucky ones to be ruled over.

If it wasn’t so British it could be North Korean.

I’m not a fan of national anthems, but ours is particularly archaic.

Some other countries sing about the beauty of their land or the values of their nation.

But in God Save the Queen we sing about deference. We wish her victory, happiness and glory and hope our status as subjects continues for a long time.

It’s not just God Save the Queen, Flower of Scotland isn’t much better, revelling in past glories and animosity towards our nearest neighbours.

I know it then says ‘those days are past and in the past they must remain’ well let’s stop going on about it then.

Billy Connolly was right when he joked about national anthems.

He suggested the UK should have the theme from The Archers where everyone just hums along, dum-de-dum de-dum-de dum.

I like this idea of instrumental only national anthems. The Netherlands would have the best with the theme from 70s cop show Van Der Valk.

France can keep the tune to Le Marseillaise, because it can’t be topped as anthems go.

America could have a mellow, reflective piece with the tune form Hill Street Blues but the more gung –ho might prefer Bonanza or the A- Team

Scotland could have the Still Game theme tune.

Does all of this seem silly? Then think about the present anthem for a while.