Rule Britannia began as a song in the 1740 masque Alfred, with words by James Thomson and music by Thomas Arne, and its chorus urging Britain to rule the waves became a lasting symbol of British identity. It has long been sung at patriotic occasions, including the Last Night of the Proms, where audiences join in with flags and enthusiasm. In recent years short clips have spread on TikTok, where the instantly recognisable melody is reused both sincerely for national pride and ironically for everyday British moments.