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”.

Kiri Te Kanawa version

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 Singles Chart.

Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel version

"World in Union"
Single by Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel
from the album Land of My Fathers
Released	11 October 1999
Format	CD single
Recorded	1999
Genre	Vocal, classical, opera
Length	3.45
Label	Decca
Songwriter(s)	Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek
Producer(s)	Charlie Skarbek

Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel released a version of the song on 11 October 1999. It was controversially mimed live by at the opening of the series in June 1999, with Bassey famously 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 #35^[1] in October 1999.

UK 3 track maxi CD single

1. "World in Union" (Duet: Bryn Terfel & 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

"World in Union"
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
Songwriter(s)	Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek

The official album of the 2011 Rugby World Cup 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 French, Italian, 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

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 / Maori) - Hayley Westenra
22. Kakari (Haka 2011) - Qube

Paloma Faith version

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

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.
• Lyrics to the Hayley Westenra English version of the song at Metro Lyrics