- Source: World in Union
"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.
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 No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 5 in Ireland, and No. 10 in New Zealand.
= Charts
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Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Ladysmith Black Mambazo ft. PJ Powers version
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
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 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 was released by Universal Music on 26 August, 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. 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 – 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 – Máiréad 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 / Māori) – 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 Sandé for their 2019 World Cup coverage.
Ndlovu Youth Choir version
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.
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
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.
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