Singing of 'Sweet Chariots' at Lions match

ALH-06

What I truly love about the Lions is that it transcends national divides - In what is truly a unique occurence in the sporting world, four different nations are all temporarily binded into one single unified sporting phenomenon. Scotsmen roar support for their traditional enemies, the English, and (even after a particularly attritional Six Nations campaign between Ireland and Wales) Irish people shout support for Welshmen and vice versa. There can be no better testament to the spirit of sport.

Which brings me on to the reason for this thread. I heard a very vocal rendition of 'Sweet Chariots' at the match today - obviously due to the tens of thousand of English rugby fans that travelled to SA to support the Lions. But I thought to myself - does the singing of this song undermine the whole ethos of a Lions tour? If we - the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish, are all in this together, doesn't the singing of a decisively English rugby anthem smack in the face of the cohesion that we're trying to forge between these different countries?

It may sound petty, but it soured the whole experience a bit for me. And I'm glad I didn't hear any renditions of 'Fields' - it would have had exactly the same effect... Opinions???

Chucky the tree

I had no problem with it. To be honest it's no worse then Fields sung at Ireland matches. I mean it's a munster(although probaly should be a connaught one) song that you'd never hear at RDS or Ravenhill. I'm sure the fans got sick of singing only "lions Lions Lions" for 90 minutes so I can see why the English broke into Swing low. The Welsh did it the week before with there Rugby song as well.

CatFromHue

i think bread of heaven was sung at one of the other tests.
its just a song at the end of the day.

Nothingcompares

I thought it would have been cool if the touring fans had bit of a sing off and see which off fields of athenry/sweet chariots/other could be sang loudest. unless i was very carried away in the moment i wouldn't sing 'sweet chariots'. although i think it's a great song and i'd sing it in the shower. just too britishy and army.

niallon

Fields was sang at the match today, definitely heard it at some point. To be honest, one thing I feel compelled to point out, what are they supposed to sing? There's no Lions song so as it is it's up to the individual fans to get a song going to spur on the team. Swing Low is that well known that TBH it's a perfect choice, everyone will get onboard and the chorus, as heard today, will resonate throughout the stadium

larchielads

someone should either write one or there should be votes for an existing song that the 4 countries could all get behind and be proud to sing on any lions tour. def need an official song though!!!

Stealdo

Guys - it's traditional that the touring supporters work their way through the various unofficial 'anthems' of the 4 countries. Swing Low lends itself particularly well to being picked up on TV is all, have no doubt that it would have been accompanied by the others. Bread of Heaven and the Fields of Athenry could both be heard as well. And even if they couldn't so what.

Judgement Day

Isn't funny the things people get hung up about, whether it's the name (British Lions or British & Irish Lions - when must fans I know simply call them 'The Lions') or singing different national songs like the Fields of Athenry or Sweet Chariot.....surely the last thing we need is some specially concocted, politically correct dross like Ireland's Call! Personally I am a damn sight more concerned about poor sportsmanship (gouging, late/high tackles etc), bad ref decisions and poor attendance figures than who sings what or what the team is called. Roll on November 28th at Croke Park when, hopefully, the shortcomings of the 'World Champions' will be their undoing.

Aidric

No issues with it. I think all fans shoule embrace each nations song and join in.

yimrsg

I was glad to hear the singing of a NH song clearly in what is considered the home of South African rugby by many. Seeing as the next tour is to Australia and since Tommy Bowe's cover version (is there anything he can't do?), it would be kinda appropriate if Black Velvet Band was adopted, it's about penal deportation to Australia that happened in Britain and Ireland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Velvet_Band

Plus its not like it you need a great voice to sing it!

thomond2006

Aidric wrote: »

No issues with it. I think all fans shoule embrace each nations song and join in.

+1.

d'Oracle

Meh.

I would have no problem, bar maybe the odd joke when watching the match with the lads maybe.

Certainly wouldn't get my goat up.

Amabokke

I just don't see why everything has to be by the book on black and white and not acceptable or disruptive if it is not Irish. Is there perhaps an Irish/Welsh/Eng/Scot combined song? Why did the Irish not start theirs?

This is not a case of Eng sing "Sweet Chariots" and now the Eng have the upper hand and trying to wedge a cap between all nations. Maybe they should've wistled a tune and not sing any words.

At sevens people from different nations make alot of noise and its not an issue.

Enjoy the win!

d'Oracle

Amabokke wrote: »

Is there perhaps an Irish/Welsh/Eng/Scot combined song?

Good lord, I hope not.
Generally these songs are rubbish.

Personally, I see no problem with singing African-American spirituals at rugby matches.

peterako

Chucky the tree wrote: »

I had no problem with it. To be honest it's no worse then Fields sung at Ireland matches. I mean it's a munster(although probaly should be a connaught one) song that you'd never hear at RDS or Ravenhill.

I'm a Leinster Fan....and sing 'The Fields' (Verses and Chorus!) at Internationals

And yes....it SHOULD be a Connacht Song

What would be more worrying is if they got Mr Coulter to write a 'compromise' song for the Lions like Ireland's Call :eek:

Peter

Snickers Man

Nothingcompares wrote: »

i wouldn't sing 'sweet chariots'. although i think it's a great song and i'd sing it in the shower. just too britishy and army.

What??????

It's an old "negro spiritual". Recorded by Paul Robeson among others. How could you call it Britishy and army?

Snickers Man

Judgement Day wrote: »

surely the last thing we need is some specially concocted, politically correct dross like Ireland's Call!

May I suggest that you reverse print that sentence on to a block of steel, heat it up to red heat and then brand it on to the forehead of anybody anal enough to fear a dilution of their national identity because somebody wants to sing a non political, non chauvinist, not specifically related to any national identity song that they've been singing at rugby matches since they were children.

Stev_o

It's a decent song, if i was there i would of joined, likewise if i heard renditions of Flower of Scotland. Sadly i don't know the words to Bread of Heaven which was sung during the 2nd test. Actually it would be great if they could of done a song each eg Fields, Flower of Scotland, Bread of Heaven (or the thousands of other songs the Welsh fans know:p) and Swing Low, would be a really unique and humble to hear.

Amabokke

Stev_o wrote: »

It's a decent song, if i was there i would of joined, likewise if i heard renditions of Flower of Scotland. Sadly i don't know the words to Bread of Heaven which was sung during the 2nd test. Actually it would be great if they could of done a song each eg Fields, Flower of Scotland, Bread of Heaven (or the thousands of other songs the Welsh fans know:p) and Swing Low, would be a really unique and humble to hear.

:D:D

d'Oracle

Snickers Man wrote: »

May I suggest that you reverse print that sentence on to a block of steel, heat it up to red heat and then brand it on to the forehead of anybody anal enough to fear a dilution of their national identity because somebody wants to sing a non political, non chauvinist, not specifically related to any national identity song that they've been singing at rugby matches since they were children.

Boom boom.

Depp

yimrsg wrote: »

I was glad to hear the singing of a NH song clearly in what is considered the home of South African rugby by many. Seeing as the next tour is to Australia and since Tommy Bowe's cover version (is there anything he can't do?), it would be kinda appropriate if Black Velvet Band was adopted, it's about penal deportation to Australia that happened in Britain and Ireland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Velvet_Band

Plus its not like it you need a great voice to sing it!

By far the best moment iv ever experienced at a rugby match was in the hc quarter final whan thomond just erupted into a chorus of the black velvet band, look on tommys face was priceless.

ALH-06

Amabokke wrote: »

I just don't see why everything has to be by the book on black and white and not acceptable or disruptive if it is not Irish.

This is not a case of Eng sing "Sweet Chariots" and now the Eng have the upper hand and trying to wedge a cap between all nations. Maybe they should've wistled a tune and not sing any words.

Enjoy the win!

I'm definitely enjoying the win, cheers.

Technically, the English will always have the 'upper hand', simply because their population is several times a multiple of Scotland, Ireland & Wales. This is perhaps why 'Swing Low' was so audible compared 'Fields', 'Flower of Scotland' etc - there are literally thousands more English fans at a Lions match than any other 4N nationality. I'd suggest that this leads to an imbalance that mightn't necessarily be comfortable for non-English Lions fans.

On a side note, I remember a Scotsman saying during the 6N that 'Sweet Chariots' is "arrogance personified in song". I found this quite funny at the time and not entirely untrue!

d'Oracle

ALH-06 wrote: »

.

On a side note, I remember a Scotsman saying during the 6N that 'Sweet Chariots' is "arrogance personified in song".

What a truly mental thing to say.

Gelio

Its a catchy tune, I was singing along:D

Cool_CM

d'Oracle wrote: »

What a truly mental thing to say.

Not really when you compare the original context of the song with it's current use.

I personally don't see a problem with it, at the end of the day it is the team comprised of players from 4 different nations , fans bring their own jerseys and flags, why not their songs too?

NickNolte

I just don't see the issue. No matter how many arguments are put forward, the term 'petty and small' just keeps coming into my mind.

icdg

peterako wrote: »

What would be more worrying is if they got Mr Coulter to write a 'compromise' song for the Lions like Ireland's Call :eek:

Peter

They did. It was called "The Power of Four". Everyone hated it.

(Okay, so it wasn't Phil Coulter who wrote it, but same idea).

chupacabra

icdg wrote: »

They did. It was called "The Power of Four". Everyone hated it.

(Okay, so it wasn't Phil Coulter who wrote it, but same idea).

Aye, that was cringe worthy to say the least.

Stevecw

ajeffares wrote: »

Its a catchy tune, I was singing along:D

It actually does stick in your head for some reason!!:mad:
I often find myself humming it after i hear it until someone points out to me what i'm doing!! :eek:

At a Lions match, its fair enough. If there is a group of English together, why not sing it. Same goes for all the other songs of the 4 nations. Can't see why it would bother anyone.

Lupo_solitario

Aidric wrote: »

No issues with it. I think all fans shoule embrace each nations song and join in.

+2
One of the main reasons I Love Rugby and being involved in the game , No politics = No Crap just people who love the sport , Long may it continue:)

Nothingcompares

Snickers Man wrote: »

What??????

It's an old "negro spiritual". Recorded by Paul Robeson among others. How could you call it Britishy and army?

Cos that's just what I associate it with. In the same vein I associate God save the queen with England specifically and not Britain specifically. And the tricolour with the republic of Ireland.

tipex

Having been at 2nd test amongst welsh people singing bread of heaven and among english for the 3rd singing sweet chariot it's about the fans being vocal. You are really stuck for stuff to chant and you don't get fed up but it gets really hard to keep saying "LIONS LIONS LIONS" non stop though we tried!! The English have the highest attendance by a long shot and that's their song if it was reversed with any of the other nationalities we would have heard "Fields" "Flower of Scotland" etc It's completely about being vocal and there is an amazing atmosphere there and the fans just want to sing supporting songs.