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swing low

I think you hit the nail on the head there didds. It’s political. Certainly the way the UK parliament has deal with Brexit hasn’t helped the situation. Tensions are rising in the North.
“Brexit has been the greatest existential threat to the peace process in 25 years,” viewed Eamon Phoenix, a historian at Queen’s University Belfast.
...56% of voters in NI voted to remain in the EU. Some of them feel that Brexit doesn’t respect that.
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It risks making attendance at training in Dublin more of a pain, according to ex International player Darren Cave
Recent constitutional referendums in the Republic of Ireland have scrapped the country's ban on abortion and legalised same-sex marriage. "What is so depressing is that during this very same period of time the global perception of Ireland, has been radically altered following the [same-sex marriage and abortion] referendums," said Cave.
"Gone are so many old perceptions and in their stead appears Dublin, this modern, multi-cultural society."
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My emboldening, note he doesn’t claim all the prejudices against the Free State have gone.

In rugby we don’t tolerate intolérance from spectators, the Zebo incident comes to mind. Not a coincidence it happened in Belfast. Ulster Union had to deal with abuse of Female referee not all that long ago. If promoting inclusiveness is the name of the game, then odd that Ulster should be the one getting bad press. Inclusiveness is a two way street. If one takes Mammy O’Driscoll’s logic to the limit, other Ireland captains should be leading by example too. I used to sing La Marseillaise when I did four years of mini/midi/maxi here in Eastern France. To give kids the good example that Rugby men respect the anthems. I am not French, I don’t particularly like the lyrics calling for German blood to be spilled. But until such time as this country changes its anthem that’s the one we need to teach children.

Yes it’s a tiny minority causing the problem, but it needs to be firmly dealt with too. There’s no easy fix.

This issue affects more than just Rugby. Covid 19 restrictions, differed across the border, this also caused tension
 
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Is god save the queen actually the English and the British national anthem?
I think and irelands call type song should be specifically written,
Alternatively adapt Land of hope and glory!
Remember the fiasco at the commonwealth games when the public voted for Jerusalem?
It just didn't sound right
 
I agree Jerusalem seems to have a strong following. So good luck with settling on a Nation Anthem for England, any time soon.

For an unofficial anthem I think something like Vera Lynn’s We’ll meet again or even the Tipperary song would get the stadium singing
 
To be honest I don’t see it happening. Official, nor unofficial, England’s fans do chants, short witty stuff. I am not sure that’s going to change. The Irish on the other hand can turn anything into a full blown anthem. Leinster for example sing Molly Malone and it can occasionally be heard at Ireland matches.
 
We sang it in the late 1970's. I remember being taught the rude hand actions, then later being surprised that the RFU used the song.
 
It was a poor choice for sure.
I honestly think the replacement song is one that’s already out there and has been sung by Rugby fans and Football fans for years.
Just unfortunate it’s an American song with little connection to England. Good for an unofficial anthem though.
 
Along with the experiences of others here Swing Low was a song I recall being 'performed' in the clubhouse or on the coach home after a games during the 80s. Depending on how far the journey was we could probably get through the full songbook - Yogi, I am the music man, Sunshine Mountain, Singing in the rain, 4 & 20 virgins, Alouete, Ou est le papier, Ernie, I dont want to join the army, the Engineer's song and a couple of others that I can't bring myself now to print the title of. The majority were sexist, some just plain daft and others involved removing some/all items of clothing but as I sit here now I'm can't actually recall one with racist lyrics (happy to be corrected though). The adoption of Swing Low at Twickenham I always thought was a bit naff but once it started to gather momentum was probably greeted with relief by the RFU as a 'rugby' song that could actually be repeated without offence. I would prefer they didn't encourage it any further but an outright ban would be extremely difficult.
 
I agree, there’s a wealth of songs to choose from, not forgetting Music Hall:

RFU need to sit down with Ed Sheeran and write a rousing chorus. :eng:

The magical heart of the spell a song casts is, its chorus. For example :
[TEXTAREA]"If you're gonna play the game/ boy, ya gotta learn to play it right".
Which then continues:

"You got to know when to hold'em,
Know when to fold'em,
Know when to walk away,
Know when to run."[/TEXTAREA]

This was the key to the decision by England's players to abandon the aspiration to play beautiful, flowing rugby – which was bringing them defeat – and switch to " winning ugly"
Source; Previously new anthem
 
Happy memories of singing on the coach returning from away games in the 60s - indeed I've just written a piece on the subject for my school OBs' magazine. The songs did range from the obscene (Down in the Valley) to the sentimental (Me and My Teddy Bear, Keep Right On to the End of the Road) - things have moved on.
As for anthems, as the only (this is just a guess!) vegetarian, pacifist, rationalist, republican, left-handed, Corbynista in my society I was not keen on national anthems and did not sing but happy to stand and respect the traditions of others.
 
Some great songs over the years
I know a lot of clubs have their own club medley songs too.
Some others from memory
I used to work in chicago and old department store........a lady came in for some chicken, chicken from the store etc.
There was a young girl from nantucket etc etc.
Thre german offices crossd the lines.....probably too racist now.
I assume beastiality's best is a real no no!
 
ctrainor said:
Some great songs over the years
I know a lot of clubs have their own club medley songs too.
Some others from memory
I used to work in chicago and old department store........a lady came in for some chicken, chicken from the store etc.
There was a young girl from nantucket etc etc.
Thre german offices crossd the lines.....probably too racist now.
I assume beastiality's best is a real no no!
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Especially as it's to the tune of "Tie me kangaroo down sport!"
 
I think we need to be careful not to into the trap of being politically correct forthe sake of it. All that is asked of us is to treat everyone without discrimination. Is singing Swing Low discrimination?
 
L'irlandais said:
I think we need to be careful not to into the trap of being politically correct forthe sake of it. All that is asked of us is to treat everyone without discrimination. Is singing Swing Low discrimination?
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That's not all that is being asked of us
Nor should it be
 
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