Bragg's Red Pledge For Hymn

Billy Bragg, the socialist singer, is rewriting the words to the hymn I Vow To Thee My Country.

The hymn, which was attacked last week by the Right Rev Stephen Lowe, the suffragen Bishop of Hulme, for being heretical with racist undertones, will be unveiled in its new guise at the Labour Party conference next month. Bragg said last night: "I never felt completely comfortable with the hymn. Gustav Holst's Thaxted is a wonderful tune, but I've never liked the words about unquestioning allegiance to what a country does, whether right or wrong".

The Daily Telegraph, 17th August 2004