All together now...

Should the English rugby (union) crowd be stopped from singing "Swing Low Sweet Chariot"?  It is seriously being suggested that they should.  Why?  Because it's a negro spiritual, and originally a song sung by slaves bemoaning their lot and looking forward to death as the ultimate escape, and as such it is seen as inappropriate to use it for any other purpose.  I suppose the crucial question is whether those rugby fans are singing it as a spiritual, or simply because it's a good tune. The Welsh tend to break out into Cwm Rhondda, which is a hymn tune with strong Methodist connections - again I would suggest simply because it's a good tune irrespective of its origins. And if you really want inappropriateness, how about Abide With Me which is traditionally sung at the (F A ) Cup Final. Those who take exception to the singing of Swing Low will presumably continue to do so, but I would suggest that they must accept that no offense is intended by it.