Swing Low Sweet Chariot - Euro 96

[dangermows]

Good ol Niall Diamondsy

 

[gluepot]

As others have commented, I remember singing it in 1973 was a classic Rugby song, the actions being the most enjoyable And probably puerile parts of the song
I had no idea where it originated , why would I know?

 

[Julio Mackemo]

I’m guessing there were loads of plastic fans attending euro 96 for novelty and so they wound up singing rugby songs as that’s all they knew the words to.

Pretty sure the genesis of England fans singing that at Twickenham was because of a player Martin (Chariots) Offiah

Offiah played Rugby League, not Union

 

[foggyballa]

"Swing low, sweet chariot" was sung at the rugby long before the late 80's.
A staple "clubhouse" song.
With all of the actions to go with it.

And not just in England. It got the occasional outing in the bar on this side of the Irish Sea, 30 years ago when I was playing rugby. As to how it needed up being sung at Euro 96? Agree with the idea it may have been a song familiar with a lot in the crowd at the tournament who may not have been regulars at footy matches

 

[Lucky1985]

Offiah played Rugby League, not Union

What’s your point?

 

[gluepot]

What’s your point?

I understand his point, which was that Offiah was unlikely to have played at Twickenham because he was a League player, although he did play Union at the end of his career, but never played for England.
Then I found this BBC article about the origins of it being sung at Twickenham, but I think it is complete bullshit.
BBC News - Why is Swing Low, Sweet Chariot the England rugby song?

You must be logged on to see external links

 

[Lucky1985]

I understand his point, which was that Offiah was unlikely to have played at Twickenham because he was a League player, although he did play Union at the end of his career, but never played for England.
Then I found this BBC article about the origins of it being sung at Twickenham, but I think it is complete bullshit.
BBC News - Why is Swing Low, Sweet Chariot the England rugby song?

You must be logged on to see external links

I didn’t say he did. A lot of rugby fans follow both codes. It’s easy for a song like that being sung at rugby league matches to make its way across to rugby union matches.

Tbh I was going off the article someone else posted after me, I remembered reading that ages ago when there was some silly campaign to suggest the song was racist

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

I understand his point, which was that Offiah was unlikely to have played at Twickenham because he was a League player, although he did play Union at the end of his career, but never played for England.
Then I found this BBC article about the origins of it being sung at Twickenham, but I think it is complete bullshit.
BBC News - Why is Swing Low, Sweet Chariot the England rugby song?

You must be logged on to see external links

According to Offiahs wiki page it was sung at the Middlesex Sevens in 1987, just before he went to Widnes RL

 

[gluepot]

According to Offiahs wiki page it was sung at the Middlesex Sevens in 1987, just before he went to Widnes RL

Yes it references the BBC article I posted.

Tbh I was going off the article someone else posted after me,

Sorry I didn't see that. Same story, still find it hard to believe but I wasn't there to disprove it. I have been to Middlesex sevens though and people weren't singing much.

 

[Lucky1985]

Yes it references the BBC article I posted.

Sorry I didn't see that. Same story, still find it hard to believe but I wasn't there to disprove it. I have been to Middlesex sevens though and people weren't singing much.

Yeah it seems the songs were sung as part of the rugby club drinking fraternity long before he played (along with the hand gestures) and then when he played they made their way into the terraces as a chant that everybody joined in with, and I’m guessing that because it was a song people enjoyed singing whilst drunk along with the silly gestures anyway it stuck long after he retired.