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The English rugby union team frequently hears the somber yet stirring tune “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” sung by crowds at Twickenham Stadium. However, this popular sporting anthem carries a deeply complicated legacy rooted in the suffering and enslavement of African Americans in the 19th century.
Origins in American Slavery
Attributed to Wallace Wallis, an enslaved man in Oklahoma in the mid-1800s, the song emerged as a spiritual expression born from anguish and an ode to salvation. Musicologist Josephine Wright explained in a 2020 Rugby Football Union (RFU) documentary that the tune served multiple purposes, including accompanying burials, sending coded messages on the Underground Railroad, and documenting a dark period of white supremacy in United States history.
The earliest recording of the composition dates back to 1909 by the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University, before civil rights activist and singer Paul Robeson recorded it in 1926. Former British folk musician Joe Stead recalled singing it at a rugby dinner in 1959, leading to its adoption in community rugby clubs during the transatlantic folk music revival.
Arrival at Twickenham
The song made its first appearance at Twickenham in 1987 during the Middlesex Sevens tournament final. Fans chanted it to celebrate the performance of Martin Offiah, a Black star player who earned the nickname ‘Chariots’ as a nod to the film Chariots of Fire. The tradition cemented itself the following year when winger Chris Oti scored three tries against Ireland, turning the spiritual into a rallying cry for the national team.
For decades, the anthem faced little public scrutiny. That changed dramatically following the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2020 murder of George Floyd, which sparked global conversations about racial justice and colonial history.
Player Reactions and RFU Review
While players like Offiah and women’s international Shaunagh Brown expressed positive feelings toward the song, others voiced concerns. Maro Itoje, a prominent Black player and future England captain, stated in a 2022 interview with L’Equipe that he would no longer sing the anthem after learning its true historical context. Former women’s captain Paula George and then-RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney also questioned its appropriateness.
Following a review, the RFU decided against banning the song entirely, opting instead to educate fans about its provenance. According to The Athletic, the governing body stopped selling merchandise featuring the lyrics and removed the words from stadium screens during matches.
Fan Perspectives and Modern Debate
Dave Mercer, a former semi-professional player and England fan, noted that supporters sing the anthem simply because it is catchy and rousing, comparing it to controversial or politically charged anthems sung by fans of other nations, such as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Offiah maintained that a formal ban would have only generated resentment, noting that the song is deeply woven into the fabric of English rugby.
Dr. Ben Curry, a music lecturer at the University of Birmingham, told The Athletic that while musical meanings can evolve through repurposing, individuals must remain mindful of the extraordinary hardship behind the art. Any adaptation of music born from suffering requires careful awareness and respect for its history, as reported by The Athletic.
