RFU launches Every Voice Counts campaign to give fans the chance to be part of a new recording of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has launched its Every Voice Counts campaign asking fans to feature on a new recording of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, which will be the official England Rugby single in 2015.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot has become the unofficial anthem of the England Rugby team and the Every Voice Counts campaign sets out to find voices from up and down the land to come together to help carry the England team home in 2015.
From today people can be part of the movement by going to England Rugby’s Facebook page to record or upload their renditions of the chorus to Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, or through Instagram by submitting their rendition and hashtagging their entry with #carrythemhome.
Lending a voice to support England is the only criteria to take part, you don’t need to know the difference between a flanker and a fly half to join the nation’s choir and get behind the team.
It will only take a couple of minutes to record your rendition, which can be seen on the England Rugby Facebook page and everyone has the chance to play a part in the eventual single, which will be launched in September 2015.
The RFU is also inviting rugby clubs, schools, universities, businesses and supporters at Twickenham on match days to record their renditions.
England Rugby Head Coach, Stuart Lancaster, commented on the new campaign: “The boost supporters give players cannot be underestimated and they really are a 16th man for us. 2015 will be a huge year for England Rugby and we want the whole nation to feel part of it.”
“Whether you’re a rugby club, a school, a group of supporters watching a game or an aspiring singer, we want everyone to help us in 2015. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot has always been the crowd’s song and we think it’s only right that every England supporter gets the chance to sing it to help carry the team home in 2015. When the team knows that the whole nation is behind them it really makes the difference.”
Professional Rugby Director at the RFU and former England International Rob Andrew MBE also commented, “I was privileged to have been playing in the Five Nations game against Ireland in 1988 when the fans first burst into song with Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Little did we know at the time that we were witness to what would be and still is today, an important song that is unique to England Rugby. As a former player, I can say without question that the song has the power to instil a sense of hope and drive England teams forward when it’s sung by the fans. It’s incredible to see how it’s grown year on year and the positive impact it can and does have on England teams.”
The RFU has launched the unique campaign in conjunction with Facebook.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a song that has been long associated with rugby fans at grassroots level for generations. The song is regularly sung at England Rugby matches by supporters and the England Rugby team returned from the 2003 World Cup victory in Australia on a plane dubbed “Sweet Chariot”.
To watch the story of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and England Rugby click here
