A data protection anthem: to be sung at the Proms

I can get quite emotional when I watch the annual broadcast of the Last Night at the Proms concert on the television. It's one of the highlights of the British cultural calendar. Who can’t resist reaching for a flag, standing to attention and belting out the chorus of Rule Britannia at the appropriate time?

Very few of us actually know the words to the verses, but we all like to join in when it’s time for the chorus.

According to Wikipedia, this anthem was written by James Thomson, some 250 years ago. The lyrics were first published in 1763. A few changes have obviously been made to those currently used by the soloists. But how could the words be tweaked to make them more relevant to the data protection community in the 21st Century, while keeping true to the original jingoistic spirit?

How about something like this?

1.
When Britain first, at the Council’s command,
Enacted laws about the facts that we retain,
Enacted laws about the facts that we retain,
Their 108th Convention, behave as they demand,
And guardian angels sang this strain:

Data Protection!
Keeping up the fight
Respecting privacy as a human right.

2.
Then nations, not so blest as those in the EC,
Must in their turn, to regulation fall,
Must in their turn, to regulation fall,
Join us, and flourish, you can flourish great and free,
Your sneaky little practices, you will overhaul.

Data Protection!
Keeping up the fight
Respecting privacy as a human right.

3.
Still more majestic can we rise,
Above the claims that compliance is a joke,
Above the claims that compliance is a joke,
Fear not cloud servers, those boxes in the skies
Making life easier for European folk.

Data Protection!
Keeping up the fight
Respecting privacy as a human right.

4.
The internet is marvelous, it’s truly changed our world
But information overload leaves us no place to hide
But information overload leaves us no place to hide
Getting hot and bothered when the facts are all unfurled
Facing the music now we’re digitally classified.

Data Protection!
Keeping up the fight
Respecting privacy as a human right.

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