The melody was also used for the national anthem ' Heil dir im Siegerkranz' ('Hail to thee in the Victor's Crown') of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1795 and of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 and as ' The Prayer of Russians', the imperial anthem of Russia from 1816 to 1833. The melody is used for the American patriotic song ' My Country, 'Tis of Thee' (also known as 'America'). The melody continues to be used for the national anthem of Liechtenstein, ' Oben am jungen Rhein', and the royal anthem of Norway, ' Kongesangen'. In countries not part of the British Empire, the tune of 'God Save the King' has provided the basis for various patriotic songs, though still generally connected with royal ceremony.
The author of the tune is unknown and it may originate in plainchant, but an attribution to the composer John Bull has sometimes been made.
' God Save the King' (alternatively ' God Save the Queen' when the British monarch is female) is the national anthem of the United Kingdom and the royal anthem of each of the British Crown Dependencies, one of two national anthems of New Zealand since 1977, and the royal anthem of most Commonwealth realms.
