Why is swing low sung in rugby?

Answer 1

Rugby players and their supports originated in the small village/towns where each week the match took place and the after match meal, which normally included the odd alcoholic beverage was all about enjoying and socialising. as whole. Teams would not have large entertainment but would entertain themselves with songs, inevitably the songs would be well know but words would be changed frequently having funny and or adult content. To make some songs even funnier hand actions would be added - This proved to be a main stay of the after match get together with bawdy songs, silly games and the odd challange thrown in all in the name of sport (and if you believe that you you believe anything). As teams travelled so the songs travelled as well. Swing Low is an English favourite whilst Tom Jones's Delila is a Welsh favourite and many more.

Answer 2

Like many rugby songs they were initially sung post match in a bar somewhere when both teams had been fed and now were enjoying the social side of the game. These songs were frequently sung with words changed to make a rude song. Swing Low Sweet Chariot has some very dubious hand signs associated with the words (these are the type of things you didn't want your mother seeing or hearing). It seems to those outside the game that these were somewhat immature things to do but they were all intended to be for fun and were undertaken as another form of competition, where each team would try to out do the other sides singing. In most cases both sides would join in singing and signing the songs they knew. As new songs can along these were added to the "Rugby Choirs" portfolio. It is this social side that makes the game different from any other and where the formidable confrontation that occurred whilst on the pitch is put aside. This is noticeable when you see supporters mixed together in rugby grounds and where the singing of various songs is encouraged by the supporters to out do the opposing side and encourage their team to win.

Answer 3

Its customary for an the supporters of an international side to adopt a song that is used to rally the troops. Wales have Cwm Rhondda (amongst many) England use Swing Low Sweet Chariot