<P> The anthem was traditionally played at closedown on the BBC, and with the introduction of commercial television to the UK this practice was adopted by some ITV companies (with the notable exception of Granada). BBC Two never played the anthem at closedown, and ITV dropped the practice in the late 1980s, but it continued on BBC One until the final closedown on 8 November 1997 (thereafter BBC1 began to simulcast with BBC News after end of programmes). The tradition is carried on, however, by BBC Radio 4, which plays the anthem each night as a transition piece between the end of the Radio Four broadcasting and the move to BBC World Service . Radio 4 and Radio 2 also play the National Anthem at 0700 and 0800 on the actual and official birthdays of the Queen and the birthdays of senior members of the Royal Family . </P> <P> The anthem usually prefaces The Queen's Christmas Message (although in 2007 it appeared at the end, taken from a recording of the 1957 television broadcast), and important royal announcements, such as of royal deaths, when it is played in a slower, sombre arrangement . </P> <P> Frequently, when an anthem is needed for one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom--at an international sporting event, for instance--an alternative song is used: </P> <Ul> <Li> England generally uses "God Save the Queen", but "Jerusalem", "Rule, Britannia!" and "Land of Hope and Glory" have also been used . <Ul> <Li> At international test cricket matches, England has, since 2004, used "Jerusalem" as the anthem . </Li> <Li> At international rugby league matches, England uses "God Save the Queen" and also "Jerusalem". </Li> <Li> At international rugby union and football matches, England uses "God Save the Queen". </Li> <Li> At the Commonwealth Games, Team England uses "Jerusalem" as their victory anthem . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Scotland uses "Flower of Scotland" as their anthem for most sporting occasions . </Li> <Li> Wales uses Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau ("Land of My Fathers") for governmental ceremonies and sporting occasions . At official occasions, especially those with royal connections, "God Save the Queen" is also played . </Li> <Li> Northern Ireland uses "God Save the Queen" as its national anthem . Northern Ireland also uses "Londonderry Air" as its victory anthem at the Commonwealth Games . However, many Irish nationalists feel unrepresented by the unionist anthem and seek an alternative . </Li> <Li> The British and Irish Lions rugby union tour used the song "The Power of Four", but this anthem was especially designed for the 2005 tour and was used only then . </Li> </Ul>

The prayer and the anthem god save the queen