Land of Hope and Glory Land of Hope and Glory "Land of Hope and Glory" is a British patriotic song, with music by Edward Elgar and lyrics by A. C. Benson, written in 1902. The music to which the words of the refrain "Land of Hope and Glory, &c" below are set is the "trio" theme from Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1". The words were fitted to the melody on the suggestion of King Edward VII who told Elgar he thought the melody would make a great song. When Elgar was requested to write a work for the King's coronation, he worked
Pomp and Circumstance Marches which he wrote, to his wife's words, in celebration of the opening of an important new London street called Kingsway in 1909. In World War II, No. 4 also acquired words: a patriotic poem by A. P. Herbert with the refrain beginning "All men must be free" was used as "Song of Liberty". In the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer, "Pomp and Circumstance" No. 4 served as the recessional. As Diana's veil was lifted and the couple bowed and curtsied to Queen Elizabeth II, the opening notes sounded and continued as they walked down the