[12][13] Thomas, a music composer and Cantonese-language lyricist, first posted an instrumental version of "Glory to Hong Kong" and its lyrics on 26 August 2019 to LIHKG, an online forum where pro-democracy Hongkongers exchange views.

After receiving suggestions from the forum users, he modified the lyrics, including the incorporation of the phrase "Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times" (Chinese: 光復香港，時代革命; Jyutping: gwong1fuk6 hoeng1gong2, si4doi6 gaak3ming6; Cantonese Yale: Gwōngfuhk hēunggóng, sìhdoih gaakmihng), a motto at the protests.

[16] In an interview with Time magazine, the author-composer said: "Music is a tool for unity, I really felt like we needed a song to unite us and boost our morale.

Inspired by "God Save the King", "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of Russia, the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" by Antonio Vivaldi, he spent two months composing the song's melody working backwards from the line "我願榮光歸香港" ("I wish that glory return to Hong Kong").

[19] The second stanza describes the anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill movement, where the people stand up to injustice even though blood is shed.

[19] The final stanza, with the most recognisable motto "Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times" incorporated in the lyrics, envisages that the city will regain its glory and honour.

[32] Robyn Dixon and Marcus Yam of Los Angeles Times described "Glory to Hong Kong" as having "a more indigenous, electric, unifying effect" when compared to songs that were previously used at the protests.

[42] The hymn-like composition was also seen as "supremely approachable" to the populace who were accustomed to the Christian music tradition introduced by the region's British and missionary-influenced educational system.

[45] Taiwanese newspaper Liberty Times described the song as "the military march of protesters" (抗爭者軍歌), singing their anxiety towards Hong Kong's political situation, as well as an "unrelenting revolutionary spirit".

[48] Former President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong Jasper Tsang praised the song as a high-quality technical production, believing it to be produced by professional musicians.

[56][57] In practice, public renditions of the song quickly draw attention from the police, and prosecutions are regularly brought on malleable charges such as obstruction, busking without a licence,[58] not wearing a mask, and even 'possession of an offensive weapon' in some toy plastic handcuffs.

[59][60] In September 2022, a harmonica player among the mourners for Queen Elizabeth II outside the British Consulate who played the song, along with "God Save the King" and others, was arrested under an old 'sedition' law.

[9] In July 2023, the High Court rejected the government bid, raising concerns over the "chilling effects" on freedom of expression that a ban would bring.

Judge Anthony Chan ruled that “perfectly innocent people” might refrain from engaging in lawful acts involving the song “for fear of trespassing the injunction which has severe consequences”.

The judge added that an injunction would not be of much use and could conflict with existing criminal law, raising concerns over matters including potential double jeopardy.

[11] In February 2024, Senior Counsel Benjamin Yu, representing the Department of Justice, said that videos with the song were seditious and could danger national security.

The criminal acts include “broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, disseminating, displaying or reproducing in any way” of the song.

YouTube said that it was "disappointed by the Court's decision" but that it was complying with the removal order, and that it shared human rights groups' concerns that the content ban could chill free expression online.

On 13 September, Lai had shared a video to WeChat and Facebook, which showed scenery around his home town and used the song as its background music, with the caption "This is my homeland, I want her to be free!

"[69][70][71][non-primary source needed] On 18 September, around 20 pro-democracy activists, including Civic Party legislator Kwok Ka-ki, Civil Human Rights Front convener Jimmy Sham and members of the League of Social Democrats rallied to the Hong Kong Liaison Office, demanding the release of Lai.

It uses the original song and lyrics in audio, paired with scenes of Hong Kong Police using tear gas and other crowd-control weapons on protesters.

Cable TV also made a statement regarding clips from i-CABLE News used in the video, saying that they would retain the right to pursue all copyright infringements.

He opined that the problem was the definition of "rioters, whether they were those who abused their power to arrest and beat up people or the powerless force that was attempting to fight back".

[81] The Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan said the Hong Kong government raised "strong objection to the association for its inability" to prevent the mistake from happening.

Chief Executive John Lee said that the "song that was played was closely connected to the 2019 violence and disturbances, and advocacy for Hong Kong's independence," and said that the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau would investigate the matter.

[84][85] A similar incident occurred three weeks later, on 2 December 2022, where the song was played at the prize giving ceremony at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championship in Dubai.

Hong Kong gold medallist Susanna Lin made a hand gesture to officials to stop the song from playing shortly after.

Several Hong Kong hockey players at the World Championship Division III Group B match made the “time out” gesture as the song was played following their victory over Iran.

[91] Chief Executive John Lee also said "It is a matter of whether a company acts responsibly and respects the importance of the national anthem in the global context.

"[92] In July 2023, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said that Google had asked him to provide proof that Glory To Hong Kong was illegal, and therefore the Hong Kong government filed a motion to make it illegal; Sun said "Very well, since you brought up a legal issue, let’s use legal means to solve the problem.