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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is the chosen English rugby anthem appropriate do you think?

308 replies

NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 20:39

To me, it's an emotional song, about God really (coming for to carry me home). England has reduced it to bringing home a prize. Apart from cultural appropriation, is it appropriate for England to use a sort of Gospel song sung by black slaves as their rugby anthem?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Low,_Sweet_Chariot

Here's a link to its origins btw.

Personally I think it's arrogant of them to use this song in the way they do. I'm not looking for a fight! Rugby fans are generally respectful, so I'm just wondering A whether English fans know the origins of the song and B whether anyone else feels it's a little 'off'?

OP posts:
aroundtheworldyet · 08/02/2020 22:18

It’s just a sad pathetic easy target
You can’t be a racist or xenophobe if you insult the English 🧐

Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:20

For the sake of clarity, in case some of you commenting are not rugby fans, these are the lyrics to England's adopted rugby anthem

Swing Low
UB40
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry he home x 2
I looked over Jordan and what did I see
Coming for to carry he home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
If you get there before I do
Coming for to carry me…

Source: LyricFind

OP posts:
KiteFlub · 08/02/2020 22:21

I hear you OP, but its firmly established now and I dont think people were so mindful of things like cultural appropriation when it was adopted.

Sorry for the rudeness and anger of some of my compatriots, seems we're a fragile bunch.

Lojoh · 08/02/2020 22:21

6.7 million English people qualify for an Irish passport (pop Ireland, 4.83m) so really you're busy hating yourself right now.

But you keep holding on to those wounds.

PortiaCastis · 08/02/2020 22:23

Sexton and that drop goal in Paris a couple of years back was rugby brilliance OP and yes he's a great player, and that's coming from a Cornish maid but I believe to give credit where it's due.

Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:24

Lojoh - I live in England and love living here!

In rugby? Enemy No. 1.

OP posts:
Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:25

6.7 million English people qualify for an Irish passport

Personally I think you should be able to prove that you support Ireland over England in sport to qualify for an Irish passport Grin

OP posts:
bettybattenburg · 08/02/2020 22:27

It's a good song so if the English want to sing it when we beat them next then I don't have a problem let's not mention the match in October

Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:27

That was our year Portia - 2 years ago. Grand slam, Triple Crown, Six Nations and where and when did we win? At Twickenham on St. Patrick's Day!

We won't mention the World Cup however.........

OP posts:
PortiaCastis · 08/02/2020 22:28

Also yes Swing Low is firmly established and we will hear it a lot in a couple of weeks as we will some other crude rugby songs on the train to Twickenham

Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:28

Have you seen this version of that drop kick Portia?

OP posts:
snidgetowl · 08/02/2020 22:31

YANBU OP. I've always hated hearing the song during rugby matches, seems disrespectful and arrogant to sing it in such a frivolous way.

Davros · 08/02/2020 22:33

OP your fake jollity is still not hiding your intention

Absolutepowercorrupts · 08/02/2020 22:33

Married with 2 children and very very modest
What does this have to do with Johnny Sexton's skills on a rugby pitch.
This is one very weird thread

Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:35

It's not fake jollity - we beat Wales today. I'm happy.

What is my intention in your opinion?

OP posts:
TooManyPaws · 08/02/2020 22:35

Flower of Scotland is about the Scots uprising against the English...

It's about the First War of Independence, culminating at Bannockburn, and throwing the invaders out of our country.

And the line about crushing rebellious Scots has never been removed from GStQ; the first two verses at a maximum are sung now rather than carry on to that verse. Just one of the reasons why I will never sing it.

isabellerossignol · 08/02/2020 22:36

Ooh, this thread got very strange. I'm not sure what's going on at all here!

Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:39

Married with 2 children and very very modest
What does this have to do with Johnny Sexton's skills on a rugby pitch.
This is one very weird thread

Because a lot of girls/women objectify him, but he's actually a really shy committed married man which I have much admiration for.

Ok, maybe people didn't notice rugby in the thread title.

OP posts:
L0bstersLass · 08/02/2020 22:40

@aroundtheworldyet
I could not agree more!

PortiaCastis · 08/02/2020 22:45

That's a good tune for the drop goal OP but we won't mention Jonny Wilkinson's one Smile.
Seriously though I think we have good kickers on both sides so we'll just have to wait and see what happens then either you or I can gloat and tease as necessary Smile

Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:46

This film and what it depicts is what I would most associate Swing Low Sweet Chariot with. Not England winning in a sport...

OP posts:
Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:48

I was in London in 2003 when England won the World Cup and I thought the only man on the pitch was Johnny Wilkinson. We (Ireland) were out of it so with no-one else to support, and being in London, I supported England that year! doesn't happen often and I'm a little ashamed of myself

OP posts:
Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:54

Oh no doubt us Irish will have a party after anyway. Whatever way the cat jumps!
England at Twickenham is going to be a very tough game. But yes, I won't have nails left after it.

OP posts:
PortiaCastis · 08/02/2020 22:55

Do you support a club side OP?
I support Exeter Chiefs !

Original poster
NothingWrong · 08/02/2020 22:59

No - but I support Leinster. And any Irish team internationally.

When I very briefly in my early 20's went to proper rugby training, we went to Blackrock in Dublin (where a lot of the ladies Leinster team were). I was utterly shite (smoker). I learned how to fall safely though when tackled! Then I decided I'd stick with tag rugby lol

OP posts: