[imagesource: Getty Images]

If you really, really, enjoy singing ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’, then there is still a chance that you may one day be part of a stadium that belts out the English rugby classic.

That being said, rugby union bosses in England are due to carry out a review into the “historical context” of the anthem, which is usually heard reverberating around Twickenham, or during unsuccessful World Cup finals in Yokohama.

It’s not exactly common knowledge, especially in the rugby-loving fraternity, but ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ has its roots in American slavery in the 19th century, reports Sky News:

The anthem has been sung by fans since the late 1980s, but it dates back to its credited author, Wallace Willis, who was a freed Oklahoma slave.

It became a popular spiritual song in the early 20th century and was popularised again among folk musicians during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

In 1987, it was sung by fans at Twickenham during a Middlesex Sevens tournament when Martin “Chariots” Offiah played.

That’s a ‘Chariots of Fire’ pun, in case you’re suffering from Friday brain.

In 1988, the anthem then switched to the 15s game, with this video discussing how that came to be:

Also, Wallace Willis is not the same as William Wallace, a historical character with a complicated legacy of his own.

A spokesperson for the RFU had this to say:

“The RFU has stated we need to do more to achieve diversity and we are determined to accelerate change and grow awareness.

“The Swing Low, Sweet Chariot song has long been part of the culture of rugby and is sung by many who have no awareness of its origins or sensitivities.

“We are reviewing its historical context and our role in educating fans to make informed decisions.”

This is not the first time an issue has been raised with the anthem. In 2017, Arthur Jones, a music history professor and founder of the Spiritual Project at the University of Denver, spoke out about the link.

This from Stuff:

Jones said the situation reminded him of American sports teams who use Native American names and imagery, “in that a group of people seemed to be free-associating with imagery largely disconnected from its history”.

“My first reaction is absolute shock – and I actually understand it when I think about it – but that’s my first reaction,” Jones said.

Other reports suggest that the RFU is expected to discourage supporters from singing the anthem.

Just like the calls for the removal of statues of historical figures with links to slavery led to anger and violence from those defending them, I imagine this will be met with a similar backlash.

Here are the lyrics:

Chorus:

Swing low, sweet chariot

Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot

Coming for to carry me home

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see?

(Coming for to carry me home)

A band of angels coming after me

(Coming for to carry me home)

Chorus:

If you get there before I do

(Coming for to carry me home)

Tell all of my friends, that I’m coming there too

(Coming for to carry me home)

Chorus (3×)

[sources:skynews&stuff]