WE had harboured faint hopes that the age of political correctness - you can mimic your own mid-air quote marks - was slowly on the wain.

There's nothing wrong with eliminating the truly prejudicial or patronising from life.

But, let's be honest, the mission to remove the risk of ever offending anyone has long-since lurched well beyond the bounds of common sense.

How our hearts sank, then, when we heard that the words of Land of Hope and Glory are to be changed at a schools music event because - according to the National Union of Teachers - they're too "triumphalist and inappropriate" in the present circumstances.

Isn't it remarkable how, when the Scots or the Welsh - even Americans, to continue the topical theme - wear their hearts on their sleeves, it's called patriotic. If you're English, it's dismissed as jingoism and in need of an apology.

It's not the only thought in our minds. If the words are inappropriate now, then surely they'll remain inappropriate.

And, if the words have been changed for the Albert Hall schools prom, why not change the title as well?

Come to think of it, Elgar's stridently rousing music's so indelibly linked with the lyric, let's change that too.

If you doubt the suggestion, ask yourself this. Could you reverse the sentiment celebrated in The Sun Has Got Its Hat On and keep the tune? It's a ridiculous example, but entirely in keeping with the theme.

It's all academic, of course.

How many children know that Elgar's Coronation Ode melody was woven with AC Benson's poem by music hall star Marie Lloyd in 1902? And how many know the imperialistic meaning of the words anway?

Be honest. To most of us, it's just a belting tune and a fine way to exercise our lungs. It should be allowed to stay that way.