The song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is an
African-American spiritual composed by Wallis Willis, a one-time
slave for the Choctaw Indians
The song is also sung by English rugby
supporters ever since it was sung during a match in 1988 season,
against Ireland at Twickenham, when, following an extremely fallow
patch for the side, England scored 6 tries. Three of the tries came in
quick succession from Chris Oti, a black player making his Twickenham
debut. A group from the Benedictine school Douai started to sing a
rugby club favourite – the gospel hymn Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – in
honour of their new hero, and the whole crowd joined in.
The song is still regularly sung at matches by supporters. There are
also a series of gestures that accompany the song, many of which are
sexual.
Help with transposing
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