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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Coldemort · 09/02/2020 00:23

It was 2013 when we'd just beaten them 30-3 to steal the championship. Happy happy day.

Not such a great day today.... you bloody Irish grrrrrr Grin

Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 00:27

Heehee - funnily enough, I don't mind at all if Wales or Scotland beat us. But I'm in a state of depression for hours if England beat us.

You guys had your day coming second in the world cup while we did shite.

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Stonerosie67 · 09/02/2020 00:28

Mayorquimby2
You're English, all you've got is your superiority, nobody is going to give you a prize for pretending to not embrace it. We'll all hate you either way, at least of you acknowledge that you think your better than us, we'll hate you and respect your honesty

Certainly better at rugby, and certainly better at spelling....it's 'you're', not 'your' but hey, who cares, you carry on with your hating....#carrythemhome

Is the chosen English rugby anthem appropriate do you think?
Stonerosie67 · 09/02/2020 00:30

And for what it's worth, I think England should have Jerusalem as its national anthem, certainly more rousing than the dirge we have at present.

Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 00:32

Can I first give a dictionary definition in order that I'm not misconstrued in what I'm going to say.

Definition of bastardize
transitive verb

1: to reduce from a higher to a lower state or condition : DEBASE
2: to declare or prove to be a bastard
3: to modify especially by introducing discordant or disparate elements

I think the English haven't quite misappropriated the song. I feel they've bastardised it (using the definition 1 above). I know that's a strong word, but that's how I feel. What similarity has an English rugby team got with black slaves?

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sashh · 09/02/2020 00:35

A lot of nail biting and a lot of praying to St. Anthony hahahaha.

St Anthony?

I think St Jude might be a better option, I mean yes Anthony can find things that are lost but I'm not sure lost sports matches counts.

Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 00:35

What is Jerusalem? Any link to it? Is it an existing song?

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Davros · 09/02/2020 00:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 00:38

Sashh

Hmm. I'm going to light a candle now. To all the SAINTS THAT EVER WERE ANOINTED.

And every day for the next 2 weeks.

See how you hold up to that!!!

Joke obviously for the limited of humour.

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Stonerosie67 · 09/02/2020 00:40

What is Jerusalem

You're kidding, right?

Moonmelodies · 09/02/2020 00:41

Chariots don't 'swing' at all do they?

Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 00:42

I know where Jerusalem is, I'm not sure why it's relevant to England or English rugby which is why I'm presuming it's a song?

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Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 00:43

They swing low when they're coming to take you home (to die).

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Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 00:44

I suspect a few metaphorical hamstring injuries on here after last week's defeat to France........

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Stonerosie67 · 09/02/2020 01:01

There you go, Nothing, just in case you really are so spectacularly ill-informed as opposed to just goady, which is what I suspect....

Marold · 09/02/2020 01:12

Never actually heard Jerusalem before, although it always comes up in discussions re. England looking for an anthem of their own.

After hearing that I reckon they should keep looking.

Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 01:14

Never heard that song in my life but thanks for linking it. Yes, It's along the right lines but not the right name to have either.

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Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 01:15

Snap Marold! Are you Irish?

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Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 01:18

I guess, England is happy with God save the Queen and Swing Low Sweet Chariot, so it's nothing to do with me.

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Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 01:21

I don't particularly care, I just think it's a little misguided and unfortunate perhaps. What matters more to me is how many tries Ireland score!!! YEEEHAWWWWWWWWW!!!! Diddly eidle diddle doo, diddly eidle diddle dah, diddly doodlum deidlum day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Stonerosie67 · 09/02/2020 01:38

I don't particularly care, I just think it's a little misguided and unfortunate perhaps

You being an expert and all that....🤔 🙄

Anyway, I'll leave you to all your bullshit musings...but thanks, they've been a great aid to cure my insomnia 💤💤💤

Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 01:58

I hope my bullshit musings keep you awake all night my dear....

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nachthexe · 09/02/2020 03:46

Never heard Jerusalem GrinGrinGrin
And yet eminently qualified to comment on English anthems GrinGrinGrin
Bahahaha.

Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 03:50

@nachthexe I think you'll find it's the absence of English anthems I'm commenting on........

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Original poster
NothingWrong · 09/02/2020 03:52

I have no objection to GSTQ.

But singing a gospel song from Black slaves, as a victory song in English sport - come off it now....

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