World in Union
"World in Union", with lyrics by Charlie Skarbek, is a theme song for the Rugby World Cup that attempts to capture the spirit of international friendship which pervades rugby union culture the world over.
The melody is "Thaxted" — the stately theme from the middle section of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity", a movement from Gustav Holst’s "The Planets", and was originally adapted for its use in the English/Anglican patriotic hymn, “I Vow to Thee My Country”.
Contents
Kiri Te Kanawa version
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Kiri Te Kanawa | |
| Released | 22 Sep 1991 |
| Genre | Vocal, Classical, Opera |
| Label | Columbia |
| Writer(s) | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa recorded the first version of this song for the 1991 Rugby World Cup, which went to No.4 in the UK chart.
Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel version
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
| File:WorldInUnion99.jpg | |
| Single by Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel | |
| from the album Land of My Fathers | |
| Released | 1999 |
| Format | CD single |
| Recorded | 1999 |
| Genre | Vocal, Classical, Opera |
| Length | 3.45 |
| Label | Decca |
| Writer(s) | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
| Producer(s) | Charlie Skarbek |
This version was released by Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel in 1999. The song was controversially mimed live by at the opening of the series in June 1999, Miss Bassey famously wearing a gown designed on the Welsh flag. Three versions are featured on the CD single: a duet from Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel, Shirley Bassey's solo version and finally a version which features the choirs only. The duet version is performed partially in Welsh by Bryn Terfel. The official video was filmed at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. and featured various other Welsh landscapes. The single marked a rare return to the UK singles chart for Bassey, it reached #35[1] in October 1999.
UK 3 track maxi CD single
- "World in Union" (Duet: Bryn Terfel & Shirley Bassey — 3.42
- "World in Union" (Shirley Bassey) — 3.45
- "World in Union" (Welsh Mountain Mix) — 3.45
Personnel
- Shirley Bassey — Vocal (tracks 1 and2)
- 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
- http://terlbryant.com/ — Percussion
- Simon Hale — Orchestral arrangements
- Tim Rhys-Evans and D. Huw Rees — Choral arrangements
Hayley Westenra version
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
_cover.jpg) |
|
| Single by Hayley Westenra | |
| from the album World in Union : The Rugby World Cup 2011 (The Official Album) | |
| Released | August 26, 2011 |
| Format | CD single, Digital Download |
| Recorded | 2011 |
| Genre | Vocal, Classical, Opera |
| Length | 3.20 |
| Label | Decca |
| Writer(s) | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
The official album of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand was launched on 9 August by Christchurch soprano Hayley Westenra. It is released by Universal Music on August 26 and is available on CD and at iTunes and other digital providers,[2][3] features 22 tracks recorded by some world-renowned classical artists. Westenra had not only recorded the song in English and Maori, as heard on this album, but also in Italian, French, and Japanese.[4][5][6] 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.[7][8]
The Official Album track listing
- World In Union - Hayley Westenra
- Swing Low '99 - Arr. C. Skarbek/ T.R. Evans - Russell Watson, Royal Choral Society
- Land of My Fathers - Fron Male Voice Choir
- Ireland's Call - Brian Kennedy, Paul Byrom
- Scottish Medley - Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
- Jerusalem - The Coldstream Guards Band, Alfie Boe
- Glorious - Mary-Jess
- Now's The Time - Luigi Corvi
- Calon Lan - Katherine Jenkins
- O Verona - Only Men Aloud
- Pokarekare Ana - Hayley Westenra, Francois Rive, Robbie McIntosh, Metro Voices, Te Tau Choir, Jenny O'Grady, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ian Dean
- Waltzing Matilda - André Rieu, Mirusia Louwerse
- We'll keep a welcome - Bryn Terfel, Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, Gareth Jones, The Black Mountain Choir, The Risca Choir
- Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika - Kenyan Boys Choir
- Men of Harlech - Fron Male Voice Choir
- God Defend New Zealand - Hayley Westenra
- The Fields Of Athenry - Mairead Carlin
- Cwm Rhondda - Bryn Terfel, Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, Gareth Jones, The Black Mountain Choir, The Risca Choir
- La Marseillaise - Roberto Alagna
- Swing Low - All Angels
- World In Union (English / Maori) - Hayley Westenra
- Kakari (Haka 2011) - Qube
Paloma Faith version
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Paloma Faith | |
| Released | 2015 |
| Genre | Vocal, Classical, Opera |
| Label | Sony |
| Writer(s) | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
Paloma Faith was selected to record the song as the officical 2015 Rugby World Cup anthem. Her rendition of the song was used on ITV's Rugby World Cup coverage 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[9] and received over 10,000 signatures. The petition was featured on the front page of UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph.[10]
Invictus
World in Union features in the movie 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
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External links
- 2007 All-Star version of the song, featuring singers from some of the major rugby-playing nations including New Zealander Hayley Westenra, Italian Roberto Alagna, Welsh singers Katherine Jenkins, Elin Manahan Thomas, Aled Jones and Bryn Terfel, English singers Lesley Garrett and Jonathan Ansell, the British group All Angels and the Australian ensemble The Ten Tenors.
