He was born Wesley Stace in Hastings, East Sussex, England. His given name, Wesley, comes from John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who preached one of his last sermons in the town where Harding was born.
His stage name may be seen as an almost inevitable nickname for a folk-pop musician, in that his first name overlaps with the Bob Dylan album (and song) "John Wesley Harding". The American gunfighting historical figure John Wesley Hardin was largely forgotten before 1965, when Johnny Cash wrote and recorded the song "Hardin Wouldn't Run".
His education included the boarding schools St. Andrews School (Pangbourne, Berkshire); Milbourne Lodge (Claygate, Surrey); The King's School (Canterbury, Kent); and university at Jesus College, Cambridge. He left Cambridge with a First in English Literature, but left before completing his Ph.d. in Social and Political Science.
Musical influences include Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Davies, and Phil Ochs. He has been frequently compared to Elvis Costello probably fueled, in part, by the fact that two members of his early band The Good Liars (Pete and Bruce Thomas) had been members of The Attractions. Harding was chosen by Bruce Springsteen as his first opening act in 20 years for his solo shows at the Berkeley Community Theatre in 1995. Harding
God Save the King
John Wesley Harding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long live our noble king
God save the king
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the king
O Lord, our God arise
Scatter his enemies
And make them fall
Confound their politics
Frustrate their knavish tricks
On Thee our hopes we fix
God save the king
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour
Long may he reign
May he defend our laws
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the king
Not in this land alone
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore
Lord make the nations see
That men should brothers be
And form one family
The wide world o'er
From every latent foe
From the assassins blow
God save the king
O'er him Thine arm extend
For Britain's sake defend
Our father, prince and friend
God save the king
The lyrics of John Wesley Harding's song "God Save The King" can be interpreted as a tribute to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, and a plea to God to bless and protect him. The opening lines "God save our gracious king, long live our noble king, God save the king" express the loyalty and reverence that the British people feel towards their monarch. The succeeding lines are a call for God to grant the king victory over his enemies, and to confound those who seek to undermine his rule.
The third stanza, however, is a more explicit prayer for the king's success, as it asks God to shower him with blessings and to make him a protector of the laws. It is interesting to note that the song's composer did not specifically name the current monarch of his time, but instead chose a title that can apply to any king who holds the throne of the United Kingdom.
The final stanza of the song is a broader call for unity among all nations, as it emphasizes the importance of brotherhood and family ties among people. This concept of global harmony is a recurring theme in many patriotic songs and anthems, and it reflects the universal values of peace and goodwill that are cherished by all people.
Line by Line Meaning
God save our gracious king
May God protect our king who is full of grace and mercy.
Long live our noble king
May our honorable king enjoy a long and prosperous life.
Send him victorious
Grant our king success in his endeavors.
Happy and glorious
May our king be joyful and celebrated.
Long to reign over us
May our king have a lengthy and fruitful reign over our nation.
O Lord, our God arise
We pray to God for His assistance and intervention.
Scatter his enemies
We ask God to defeat and disperse those who oppose our king.
And make them fall
May our king's enemies be brought low and humbled.
Confound their politics
May God confuse and nullify the schemes of our king's adversaries.
Frustrate their knavish tricks
May their deceitful plots be prevented and exposed.
On Thee our hopes we fix
We place our trust and confidence in God's power.
Thy choicest gifts in store
May God bestow upon our king His most precious blessings.
On him be pleased to pour
May our king be the recipient of God's special favor and grace.
Long may he reign
We pray for our king to have a lengthy and prosperous reign.
May he defend our laws
We ask that our king be a champion of justice and protector of our laws.
And ever give us cause
May our king always provide us with reasons to celebrate and be thankful.
To sing with heart and voice
May we joyfully sing and praise our king.
Not in this land alone
We pray for God's blessings to extend beyond our nation.
But be God's mercies known
May His kindness and generosity be recognized and experienced everywhere.
From shore to shore
May God's blessings span across the entire world.
Lord make the nations see
We ask that God help all countries understand the value of harmony and brotherhood.
That men should brothers be
We recognize the importance of all men being equal and united.
And form one family
May all mankind become one community.
The wide world o'er
We pray for the well-being of all humanity everywhere.
From every latent foe
May God protect our king from any hidden or concealed enemy.
From the assassins blow
May our king be spared from any physical harm or danger.
O'er him Thine arm extend
We pray for God's protection and guidance over our king.
For Britain's sake defend
May God bless our nation and preserve it against any threats.
Our father, prince and friend
Our king is not only a ruler, but also a beloved figure and ally.
God save the king
Overall, we pray for God's blessings, protection and grace to our king and nation.
Contributed by Harper N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.