"World in Union" is atheme song for theRugby World Cup. The song's lyrics are byCharlie Skarbek, set to themelody "Thaxted" byGustav Holst.
Skarbek was commissioned to write the song byWorld Rugby (then the International Rugby Football Board) for the1991 Rugby World Cup, held inEngland.[1] It was first performed byNew ZealandsopranoKiri 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", amovement from Holst's orchestral suiteThe Planets. Although the melody was originally wordless, it was later adapted as ahymn tune by Holst for its use in the 1921British/Anglicanpatriotichymn, "I Vow to Thee, My Country", using words bySir Cecil Spring Rice.[2] The melody has subsequently been paired with numerous other religious texts and secular lyrics.[3]
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
| Single byKiri Te Kanawa | |
| Released | 16 September 1991 (1991-09-16)[4] |
| Genre | Opera,classical |
| Length | 3:58 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriters | Gustav Holst,Charlie Skarbek |
| Producer | Charlie Skarbek |
Kiri Te Kanawa recorded the first version of this song for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Her version peaked atNo. 4 on theUK Singles Chart, No. 5 in Ireland, and No. 10 in New Zealand.
| 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 |
| Chart (1991) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 28 |
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| "World in Union 95" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Ladysmith Black Mambazo ft. P.J. Powers | |
| Recorded | 1995 |
| Genre | Classical crossover,pop,isicathamiya,mbube |
| Length | 3.49 |
| Label | PolyGram (UK) |
| Songwriters | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
For the1995 Rugby World Cup a version of the song was recorded byLadysmith Black Mambazo featuringPJ Powers.
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel | |
| from the album Land of My Fathers | |
| Released | 11 October 1999 |
| Recorded | 1999 |
| Genre | Classical crossover |
| Length | 3.45 |
| Label | Decca |
| Songwriters | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
| Producer | Charlie Skarbek |
Shirley Bassey andBryn Terfel released a version of the song on 11 October 1999. It was performed live by both artists at the opening ceremony of the1999 Rugby World Cup on 1 October 1999, with Bassey wearing a gown designed on theWelsh 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 theMillennium 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
Personnel
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
_cover.jpg) | |
| Single byHayley Westenra | |
| from the album World in Union : The Rugby World Cup 2011 (The Official Album) | |
| Released | 26 August 2011 |
| Recorded | 2011 |
| Genre | Classical crossover,pop |
| Length | 3.20 |
| Label | Decca |
| Songwriters | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
The official album of the2011 Rugby World Cup inNew Zealand was launched on 9 August by New Zealand sopranoHayley 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 theClassical Compilation Albums Chart ofOfficial Charts as well as theClassic FM chart after releasing in UK.[17][18]
The Official Album track listing
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Paloma Faith | |
| Released | 2015 |
| Genre | Power pop |
| Label | Sony |
| Songwriters | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
R&B singerPaloma Faith was selected to record the song as the official2015 Rugby World Cup anthem. Her rendition of the song was used onITV'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 newspaperThe Daily Telegraph.[20]
For the2019 Rugby World Cup, the song was recorded by Japanese singerKiyoe Yoshioka. This was also included on her debut solo albumUtairo.[21][22]
ITV used a version recorded byEmeli Sandé for their 2019 World Cup coverage.[23]
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Ndlovu Youth Chior | |
| Released | 2023 |
| Label | Simco Limited under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd |
On the 8th of September 2023, theNdlovu Youth Choir released their version ofWorld in Union for the2023 Rugby World Cup. The track is a single off their upcoming albumCelebrate.[24]
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"World in Union" features in the filmInvictus which is based on the events surrounding the1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. The original 1995 World Cup recording byPJ Powers andLadysmith Black Mambazo is used at the end of the final match. A second recording made for the movie by Yollandi Nortjie andOvertone is played during the closing credits.
