Nigel Farage, the fiery British MEP who lead the charge to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union, absolutely torched the EU in his farewell speech to the European Parliament, concluding by waving flags with other members of the UK delegation -- which was against the rules, and for which his microphone was cut off.
But they didn't care, because they're leaving and not coming back.
Watch:
The United Kingdom officially left the European Union at 11pm London time today (Friday, January 31st, 2020). Massive crowds celebrated the Brexit moment across the United Kingdom, while "remainers" and "rejoiners", particularly in Scotland, protested.
In honor of the 'Brexit', this week's Music Monday is Rule, Britannia!, one of the most prominent British patriotic songs. This performance took place on the last night of the BBC Proms in 2012, a summer series of classical concerts that started in 1895.
Enjoy!
Click to go below the page break to see all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to submit for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.
LYRICS
When Britain first, at heaven's command,
Arose from out the azure main,
This was the charter of the land,
And Guardian Angels sang this strain:
Chorus: Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.
The nations not so blest as thee
Must, in their turn, to tyrants fall,
While thou shalt flourish great and free:
The dread and envy of them all.
(Chorus)
Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful from each foreign stroke,
As the loud blast that tears the skies
Serves but to root thy native oak.
(Chorus)
Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame;
All their attempts to bend thee down
Will but arouse thy generous flame,
But work their woe and thy renown.
(Chorus)
To thee belongs the rural reign;
Thy cities shall with commerce shine;
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles, thine.
(Chorus)
The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coasts repair.
Blest isle! with matchless beauty crowned,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.
(Chorus)
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.
In a historic referendum, the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union. As of 11:50pm CT, the vote total was 16,468,162 (51.7%) for Leave, and 15,387,695 (48.3%) to Remain.
I'm not expert on British/European politics, so I don't exactly know what the fallout will be, but essentially the UK is reclaiming their sovereignty from the EU government in Brussels. The UK has been a member-state of the European Union since 1975.
