"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 by Holst for its use in the English/Anglican patriotic hymn, “I Vow to Thee My Country”.
The song was commissioned by the International Rugby Board (at that time the International Rugby Football Board), the sport's governing body, in 1991 and it has now become synonymous with the "gathering of the nations" that the four-yearly tournament represents.
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The song has been sung by famous artists at a number of the opening ceremonies of Rugby World Cup tournaments (Some have subsequently been released as singles):
A number of interpretations of the song have been recorded, sometimes with small variations to the lyrics or different languages.
| "World in Union" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel | |
| from the album Land of My Fathers | |
| Released | 1999 |
| Format | CD single |
| Recorded | 1999 |
| Genre | Vocal, Classical, Opera |
| Length | 3.45 |
| Label | Decca |
| Writer(s) | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
| Producer | Charlie Skarbek |
This version was released by Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel in 1999. The song was performed live by both artists at the opening of the series in June 1999, Miss Bassey famously wearing a gown designed on the Welsh flag. Three versions are featured on the CD single: a duet from Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel, Shirley Bassey's solo version and finally a version which features the choirs only. The duet version is performed partially in Welsh by Bryn Terfel. The official video was filmed at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. and featured various other Welsh landscapes. The single marked a rare return to the UK singles chart for Bassey, it reached #35[1] in October 1999.
UK 3 track maxi CD single
Personnel
| "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 |
| Writer(s) | Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek |
The official album of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand was launched on 9 August by Christchurch soprano Hayley Westenra. It's 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 Italian, French 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
World In Union
There's a dream
I feel, so rare, so real
All the world in union
The world as one
Gathering together
One mind, one heart
Every creed, every colour
Once joined, never apart
Searching for the best in me
I will find what I can be
If I win, lose or draw
There's a winner in us all
It's the world in union
The world as one
As we climb to reach our destiny
A new age has begun
We face high mountains
Must cross rough seas
We must take our place in history
And live with dignity
Just to live the best I can
Sets the goal for every man
If I win, lose or draw
It's a victory for all
It's the world in union
The world as one
As we climb to reach our destiny
A new age has begun
It's the world in union
The world as one
As we climb to reach our destiny
A new age has begun