Following the news that Maro Itoje will no longer sing ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot before games, we thought it would be interesting to see what anthems England fans love most.
The song has long been considered the traditional anthem for English rugby, but was recently the subject of a review by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) after concern over its subject matter was raised in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests.
While the RFU stopped short of banning the song – believed to have been written by 19th century freed slave Wallace Willis – unease was expressed over the lyrics, which refer to a slave’s hopes of finding peace in the afterlife.
A poll of 5,000 England fans nevertheless saw the controversial tune rank above the national anthem.
ENGLAND RUGBY ANTHEMS (RANKED)
#3.God Save The Queen
There have been calls for England Rugby to ditch God Save the Queen as their national anthem for years.
God Save The Queen Lyrics
God save our gracious Queen!
Long live our noble Queen!
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen.
Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen.