RFU reviewing use of slave song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

[GimmeAy]

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53096584

Anyone recall this lively but good-natured discussion from earlier in the year? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3817800-Is-the-chosen-English-rugby-anthem-appropriate-do-you-think?pg=1

What do we all think now given the shift in attitudes to slavery and things associated with slavery? I think the attitude back in February was that it was ok, because it was initially sung in the context of rugby by a black player. BBC reporting that that player's nickname was Chariot which is why he sang it.

AIBU to be interested in whether our views have changed at all?

I think that it can be considered an honor for the original writer of the song ! It is essentially the unofficial anthem of Rugby and for that anthem to belong to a former slave shows that such musical talent is held highly in our esteem and is appreciated by an entire nation !

Then when it was sung for the player, "Chariots", it was sung because he was a great player and the fans appreciated him !

By removing the song from use, it is essentially whitewashing. It is taking that achievement away from a black man who no doubt would be proud of what his song has become if he were alive today !

www.rugbypass.com/news/martin-offiah-has-had-his-say-on-possible-swing-low-sweet-chariot-rfu-ban

they need to ban 'flower of Scotland ' then as its all about giving the English a bollocking

The fields of Athenry is a sort of lament/love song about the oppression by the British of the Irish. We sing it most loudly at Ireland v England games, but it's kind of our sporting song against all nations and across some sports - primarily rugby, but if we're winning, I've heard it at soccer matches too - and actually when we're losing miserably also! It's not a song about black American slaves praying to be taken home to God to escape the oppression of slavery, then adopted by the very nation who enslaved them lol.

derxa - Offiah didn't even know what the song was about.

If the Brits took over the fields of Athenry, I'd be fuming.
Perhaps, because it's a rugby song, people aren't aware of it as soccer seems to be the primary focus of most Brits. Well cricket if you're affluent perhaps, but for the vast majority, it's soccer.

I'm never impressed by hearing Brits sing Swing Low Sweet Chariot as it's clear that they're too thick to understand the lyrics or the meaning.

When I hear the Fields of Athenry, yes, then I'm proud.

You've not answered my question, OP, but after reading your updates, yes it's pretty clear you've name-changed.....

Domdoes they still do the dude geatures.

What question @StoneRosie?

I asked earlier up the thread if you'd name-changed.

asked earlier up the thread if you'd name-changed.
When? On this thread?

If you're accusing me of sockpuppeting, then report me. I haven't - but have HQ confirm it to you if you like.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, celebrating the Underground Railway, written AFTER the Civil War by a freed slave, made popular by the African American Fisk Jubilee Singers, sung at many black funerals and civil rights demonstrations, honoured by Congress, now to be banned.

It was a favourite of Paul Robeson, of Louis Armstrong and of Martin Luther King. The last attempt to ban the song was in 1939, in Germany. So black people’s own culture is also now to be cancelled. Please everyone, take a breath before you eliminate black lives from history.

(From twitter)

So will a gym local to me take down their ‘rainbow railroad’ safe place for LGBetc people‘) sticker from their window (this is in very central London 2020 not Hicksville 1952)?

No, not on this thread but your anti-British sentiments and ridiculous ramblings are all too familiar to those on another post on this subject a couple of months or so ago.

sung at many black funerals and civil rights demonstrations, honoured by Congress, now to be banned.

That's a whole load of hyperbole right there. Nobody is banning it. Just wondering why the English rugby team sing it.

*I'm never impressed by hearing Brits sing Swing Low Sweet Chariot as it's clear that they're too thick to understand the lyrics or the meaning.
*

I can assure you Brits do not sing this song.

The English do but the Brits do not.

Please stop conflating England With Britain

Martin used to drive round west London in - I think - a white or red (can’t exactly remember) 3 series with a personal plate that spelt out Chariots.

I always thought the song predated him, but I’m not sure tbh

Erm....SURELY its a song about dying?! When Elijah came to the end of his life (according to the Bible story) he didn't die, but was 'taken' by chariot and horsemen of Israel - colourful language to depict the angelic host who whisked him away.
And the reference to Jordan is often interpreted by theologians as the passing over beyind the grave (incorrectly imo)

Swing low is a cry of humility - and carrying me home is about going to a heavenly eternity.

If its about slavery then I've missed that bit.

I think we should just ban everything tbh. I mean, everything.

@GimmeAy

I'm never impressed by hearing Brits sing Swing Low Sweet Chariot as it's clear that they're too thick to understand the lyrics or the meaning.

When I hear the Fields of Athenry, yes, then I'm proud.

Not the Brits. You mean the English. You appear to use the words interchangeably which they very much aren't.

And you come across as a xenophobic person yourself. Thick twice about the British/English.

Frankly I'm assuming your interest in taking the song away is more about your support for your team than it is concern about appropriation.

You haven't answered any of the intelligent, considered posters on this thread. I vote GF.

I doubt many English fans know the derivation of the song. I knew it was a spiritual song - and had heard the story about Chris Oti.

It's a song with little relevance to rugby itself - but it just sounds good - and England haven't got a song like the other countries in the 6 Nations to belt out - except for the National Anthem.

I do know more words than Boris Johnson credits fans with knowing though.

Some years ago I was walking through a churchyard near where I lived and I heard this song coming from inside the church. I stopped outside the door to listen and it was so beautiful I cried.

It was only today that I heard that it was sung at rugby matches. It just seems like such an odd song to sing at a sporting event. It seems to trivialise something that was so meaningful to the person who wrote it and to so many who have sung it since.

derxa - Offiah didn't even know what the song was about. I couldn't care less about that. CoF is sung goadily when England are winning.
OP I'm not a 'Brit', I'm Scottish