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World in Union

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Wikipedia article




"'World in Union'" is a theme song for the Rugby World Cup. Its melody is "Thaxted", from the middle section of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity", a movement from Gustav Holst's 'The Planets', and was originally adapted by Holst for its use in the British/Anglican patriotic hymn, "I Vow to Thee, My Country", using words by Sir Cecil Spring Rice.

This song, along with Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, another Rugby favourite, was recorded by Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1995.

Kiri Te Kanawa version



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

Charts

Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel version



Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel released a version of the song on 11 October 1999. It was mimed live by at the opening of the series in June 1999, with Bassey wearing a gown designed on the Welsh flag. Three versions are featured on the CD 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 marked a rare return to the UK Singles Chart for Bassey, where it reached No. 35 in October 1999.

'UK 3 track maxi CD single'

# "World in Union" (Duet: Bryn Terfel and 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 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



The official album of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand was launched on 9 August by New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. It is released by Universal Music on 26 August and is available on CD and at iTunes and other digital providers, features 22 tracks recorded by some world-renowned classical artists. Westenra had not only recorded the song in English and Mori, as heard on this album, but also in French, Italian, and Japanese. 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.

'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 Andr 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 Mirad 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 / Mori) Hayley Westenra

# Kakari (Haka 2011) Qube

Paloma Faith version



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 and received over 10,000 signatures. The petition was featured on the front page of UK newspaper 'The Daily Telegraph'.

Kiyoe Yoshioka version



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'.

ITV used a version recorded by Emeli Sand for their 2019 World Cup coverage.

Invictus



"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




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