World in Union

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

"World in Union" is a theme song for the Rugby World Cup. The song's lyrics are by Charlie Skarbek, set to the melody "Thaxted" by Gustav Holst.

Skarbek was commissioned to write the song by World Rugby (then the International Rugby Football Board) for the 1991 Rugby World Cup, held in England.[1] It was first performed by New Zealand soprano Kiri Te Kanawa, and has since been performed and recorded by various other musicians.

The song's melody, "Thaxted", was originally written in 1914 as the middle section of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity", a movement from Holst's orchestral suite The Planets. Although the melody was originally wordless, it was later adapted as a hymn tune by Holst for its use in the 1921 British/Anglican patriotic hymn, "I Vow to Thee, My Country", using words by Sir Cecil Spring Rice.[2] The melody has subsequently been paired with numerous other religious texts and secular lyrics.[3]

Kiri Te Kanawa version

[edit | edit source]
"World in Union"
Single by Kiri Te Kanawa
Released16 September 1991 (1991-09-16)[4]
GenreOpera, classical
Length3:58
LabelColumbia
SongwritersGustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek
ProducerCharlie Skarbek

Kiri Te Kanawa recorded the first version of this song for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Her version peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 5 in Ireland, and No. 10 in New Zealand.

Charts

[edit | edit source]

Weekly charts

[edit | edit source]
Chart (1991) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[5] 4
Ireland (IRMA)[6] 5
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)[7] 16
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[4] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[8] 4
UK Airplay (Music Week)[9] 52

Year-end charts

[edit | edit source]
Chart (1991) Position
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 28

Ladysmith Black Mambazo ft. PJ Powers version

[edit | edit source]
"World in Union 95"
Single by Ladysmith Black Mambazo ft. P.J. Powers
Recorded1995
GenreClassical crossover, pop, isicathamiya, mbube
Length3.49
LabelPolyGram (UK)
SongwritersGustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek

For the 1995 Rugby World Cup a version of the song was recorded by Ladysmith Black Mambazo featuring PJ Powers.

Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel version

[edit | edit source]
"World in Union"
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Single by Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel
from the album Land of My Fathers
Released11 October 1999
Recorded1999
GenreClassical crossover
Length3.45
LabelDecca
SongwritersGustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek
ProducerCharlie Skarbek

Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel released a version of the song on 11 October 1999. It was performed live by both artists at the opening ceremony of the 1999 Rugby World Cup on 1 October 1999, with Bassey wearing a gown designed on the Welsh flag. Three versions are featured on the single: a duet with Bassey and Terfel, Bassey's solo version and a version which features the choirs only. The duet version is performed partially in Welsh by Terfel. The official video was filmed at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff and features various other Welsh landscapes. The single reached No. 35 on the UK Singles Chart[11] in October 1999.

UK 3 track maxi CD single

  1. "World in Union" (Duet: Bryn Terfel and Shirley Bassey) – 3:42
  2. "World in Union" (Shirley Bassey) – 3:45
  3. "World in Union" (Welsh Mountain Mix) – 3:45

Personnel

  • Shirley Bassey – vocal (tracks 1 and 2)
  • Bryn Terfel – vocal (track 1)
  • The Black Mountain Male Chorus – choir (all tracks)
  • The Morriston Rugby Club Choir – choir (all tracks)
  • Robert Fardell and Charlie Skarbek – backing singers (track 2)
  • The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra – orchestra
  • Llio Rhydderch – Welsh triple harp
  • Troy Donockley – uilleann pipes
  • David Thomas – drums
  • Simon Hale – orchestral arrangements
  • Tim Rhys-Evans and D. Huw Rees – choral arrangements

Hayley Westenra version

[edit | edit source]
"World in Union"
File:Album World In Union (English) cover.jpg
Single by Hayley Westenra
from the album World in Union : The Rugby World Cup 2011 (The Official Album)
Released26 August 2011
Recorded2011
GenreClassical crossover, pop
Length3.20
LabelDecca
SongwritersGustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek

The official album of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand was launched on 9 August by New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. It was released by Universal Music on 26 August,[12][13] and included 22 tracks recorded by classical artists. Westenra had not only recorded the song in English and Māori, as heard on this album, but also in French, Italian, and Japanese.[14][15][16] It got No. 1 album position on the Classical Compilation Albums Chart of Official Charts as well as the Classic FM chart after releasing in UK.[17][18]

The Official Album track listing

  1. World In Union – Hayley Westenra
  2. Swing Low '99 – Arr. C. Skarbek/ T.R. Evans – Russell Watson, Royal Choral Society
  3. Land of My Fathers – Fron Male Voice Choir
  4. Ireland's Call – Brian Kennedy, Paul Byrom
  5. Scottish Medley – Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
  6. Jerusalem – The Coldstream Guards Band, Alfie Boe
  7. Glorious – Mary-Jess
  8. Now's The Time – Luigi Corvi
  9. Calon Lan – Katherine Jenkins
  10. O Verona – Only Men Aloud
  11. Pokarekare Ana – Hayley Westenra, Francois Rive, Robbie McIntosh, Metro Voices, Te Tau Choir, Jenny O'Grady, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ian Dean
  12. Waltzing Matilda – André Rieu, Mirusia Louwerse
  13. We'll keep a welcome – Bryn Terfel, Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, Gareth Jones, The Black Mountain Choir, The Risca Choir
  14. Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika – Kenyan Boys Choir
  15. Men of Harlech – Fron Male Voice Choir
  16. God Defend New Zealand – Hayley Westenra
  17. The Fields Of Athenry – Máiréad Carlin
  18. Cwm Rhondda – Bryn Terfel, Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, Gareth Jones, The Black Mountain Choir, The Risca Choir
  19. La Marseillaise – Roberto Alagna
  20. Swing Low – All Angels
  21. World In Union (English / Māori) – Hayley Westenra
  22. Kakari (Haka 2011) – Qube

Paloma Faith version

[edit | edit source]
"World in Union"
Single by Paloma Faith
Released2015
GenrePower pop
LabelSony
SongwritersGustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek

R&B singer Paloma Faith was selected to record the song as the official 2015 Rugby World Cup anthem. Her rendition of the song was used on ITV's Rugby World Cup coverage in the opening titles and during advert breaks, a decision that was greeted negatively by some viewers. A petition to have the song removed was set up by viral marketing expert Jonathan Wilson[19] and received over 10,000 signatures. The petition was featured on the front page of UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph.[20]

Kiyoe Yoshioka version

[edit | edit source]

For the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the song was recorded by Japanese singer Kiyoe Yoshioka. This was also included on her debut solo album Utairo.[21][22]

ITV used a version recorded by Emeli Sandé for their 2019 World Cup coverage.[23]

Ndlovu Youth Choir version

[edit | edit source]
"World in Union"
Single by Ndlovu Youth Chior
Released2023
LabelSimco Limited under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd

On the 8th of September 2023, the Ndlovu Youth Choir released their version of World in Union for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The track is a single off their upcoming album Celebrate.[24]

Invictus

[edit | edit source]

"World in Union" features in the film Invictus which is based on the events surrounding the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. The original 1995 World Cup recording by PJ Powers and Ladysmith Black Mambazo is used at the end of the final match. A second recording made for the movie by Yollandi Nortjie and Overtone is played during the closing credits.

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ a b "Kiri Te Kanawa – World in Union". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – World in Union". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  7. ^ Radio Luxembourg Singles. 20 October 1991.
  8. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  9. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  18. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  23. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
[edit | edit source]

Lua error in Module:Authority_control at line 153: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

Retrieved from "http://70.231.62.181/index.php?title=World_in_Union&oldid=17908188"