“The Lion and the Unicorn” have been part of the United Kingdom history since 1603 when Scotland and England were unified.
Even before James I of England unified the two kingdoms, they were already symbols in their Royal Arms, two lions being emblem of England while two unicorns were standing for Scotland.
Since 1603 the Lion and the Unicorn are elements in the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, standing for the the unification of the two kingdoms.
The unicorn is a legendary creature, sometimes depicted as a white horse with a horn in the middle of its forehead. Legends describe this horn as having miraculous powers: cure diseases, cleanses evil, giving life.
The lion is a respected, valued and even defied animal in some cultures. Its identity as a symbol of power dates back 5,000 years. The lion’s mane is a royal symbol being often compared with the sun rays.
“The Lion and the Unicorn” is traditional nursery rhyme telling the story of the enmity and the fight of suzerainty of the two kingdoms, the lion and the unicorn being symbols of their power and dominance.
“The Lion and the Unicorn” Lyrics
The lion and the unicorn
Were fighting for the crown
The lion beat the unicorn
All around the town.
Some gave them white bread,
And some gave them brown;
Some gave them plum cake
and drummed them out of town.
And when he had beat him out,
He beat him in again;
He beat him three times over,
His power to maintain.