The anthem, Zadok the Priest, played for hundreds of years at coronations will be played at King Charles’ Coronation – here’s the origin and lyrics of the anthem explained.
May 6 will go down in history as the Coronation’s Day of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The star-studded guest list includes members of the Royal family, world leaders, foreign monarchs, celebrities, and heroes from the general public.
A classic anthem played for monarchs for nearly 300 years has inspired the well-known Champions League introduction song. Here’s the link explained.
Why is Zadok the Priest played at the Coronation?
Zadok the Priest is played at the coronation because it is a classic anthem played for every British monarch for almost 300 years.
German-British composer George Frideric Handel composed the song for the coronation of King George II in 1727. It has since become one of four classic anthems performed at the coronations of British monarchs.
The song will be performed just before King Charles is anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury, a religious ceremony that is hidden from the public and not broadcast live.
Classic anthem inspired the Champions League song
Football fans may recognise the anthem because it inspired the basis of the Uefa Champions League introduction song.
In 1992, British composer Tony Britten rewrote and recomposed the classic anthem to make it suitable as an anthem for the annual football competition.
The anthem is performed in three languages, English, French, and German, Uefa’s three official languages. The lyrics are:
Ce sont les meilleures équipes
Sie sind die allerbesten Mannschaften
The main event
Die Meister
Die Besten
Les grandes équipes
The champions
Une grande réunion
Eine große sportliche Veranstaltung
The main event
Ils sont les meilleurs
Sie sind die Besten
These are the champions
Die Meister
Die Besten
Les grandes équipes
The champions
Zadok the priest Coronation anthem: Lyrics
Zadok the Priest is also performed in three languages. Here is part of the anthem lyrics in English:
Zadok the priest
and Nathan the prophet
anointed Solomon king.
And all the people rejoiced and said:
“God save the King!
Long live the King!
May the King live forever!
Amen! Amen! Alleluia!”