"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a song with a deep historical background, originally written as an African-American spiritual, and later adopted by rugby fans in England. Over time, it has become one of the most iconic anthems associated with the England rugby team, sung by supporters at matches to show their enthusiasm and support. But how did a song born from the experience of slavery in the 19th century come to be so closely linked with rugby?
Origins of the Song
The song was written in the mid-19th century by Wallace Willis, an African-American man who was enslaved in the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a spiritual, a genre of folk songs that emerged from the African-American experience during slavery. The lyrics express a longing for freedom, with the "chariot" symbolizing a vehicle that would deliver the singer from suffering and hardship. It is often interpreted as a metaphor for the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada.
The earliest known recording of the song came in 1909, made by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a choir from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. The choir was instrumental in preserving and spreading African-American spirituals, performing across the United States and Europe. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot became one of their signature songs and gained international recognition.
The Song in Rugby Culture
The association of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot with rugby in England began in the 1980s, although its exact origins are somewhat unclear. It is believed that a group of schoolboys at Twickenham Stadium, during a rugby match in 1988, began singing the song after their team scored a try. The catchy and easy-to-chant nature of the song meant it quickly gained popularity among the crowd, and more people joined in throughout the game. It became a tradition at England rugby matches to sing the song as a way to support the team, especially in moments when fans wanted to lift the energy of the crowd.
While some trace the song's use at Twickenham back to 1988, there is also archival footage that shows fans singing it in 1987, when England player Martin Offiah—who was nicknamed “Chariots” after the film Chariots of Fire—was playing. The chant was likely an extension of the connection between Offiah’s nickname and the song’s lyrics.
Over time, the song became a staple of England rugby’s matchday atmosphere, sung by fans in unison to cheer on the team and add to the excitement of the game. The song has been heard at rugby matches ever since, particularly at England home games at Twickenham Stadium.
The Song Today
Today, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot continues to be sung by England rugby fans, and it is often heard during key moments in a match, such as when the team scores or when the crowd is rallying behind a comeback. The song has become a symbol of the collective spirit of England’s rugby supporters, embodying both tradition and passion for the game.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has acknowledged that while the song is a beloved part of England rugby culture, its history and significance should be understood. As such, the RFU has stated its commitment to educating fans about the origins of the song and ensuring that its use in rugby continues to reflect an awareness of its history.
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