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'It's something I enjoy singing' - Ludlam wants Swing Low, Sweet Chariot to stay
By Online Editors
Northampton Saints forward Lewis Ludlam says he does not believe supporters should be banned from singing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. The Twickenham staple song has been under increased scrutiny recently given the ongoing focus around the Black Lives Matter protests.
Earlier this week, fellow England international Maro Itoje said the song makes him "uncomfortable", but added that he does not believe the song should be banned.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also said fans should not be banned from singing a song believed to have roots in American slavery.
And now Ludlam, whose father has Palestinian and Egyptian roots, and mother a Guyanese background, has added his voice to the debate, arguing that the song is no longer sung in the same context.
"I disagree personally," Ludlam told Sky Sports. "Swing Low is something that I grew up listening to and singing along to when I went to watch England play when I was younger.
"I think the meaning of things changes and when you sing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot it's not in the context of race and slavery any more.
"I don't think those 50-odd thousand people at Twickenham when they're singing it even think about the racial connotations behind it, so it's not something I agree with banning.
"It's something I enjoy singing and I think the context and the meaning of the song has changed for me."
Ludlam, 24, has been capped eight times by England since making his debut last year.
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Latest Comments
There is this thing going around against Siya Kolisi where they don't want him to be known as the best national captain ever, so they strike him down in ratings permanently whenever they can. They want McCaw and reckons he is the best captain ever. I disagree.
Just like they refuse to see SA as the best team and some have even said that should the Boks win a third WC in a row, they will still not be the best team ever. Even if they win every game between now and the WC. That is some serious hate coming SA's way.
Everyone forget how the McCaw AB's intimidated refs, was always on the wrong side, played on the ground etc. Things they would never have gotten away with today. They may have a better win ratio, but SA build depth, not caring about rank inbetween WC's until this year.
They weren't as bad inbetween as people claim, because non e of their losses was big ones and they almost never faced the strongest Bok team outside of the WC, allowing countries like France and Ireland to rise to the top unopposed.
Rassie is still at it, building more depth, getting more young stars into the fold. By the time he leaves (I hope never) he will leave a very strong Bok side for the next 15- 20 years. Not everyone will play for 20 years, but each year Rassie acknowledge the young stars and get them involved and ready for international rugby.
Not everyone will make it to the WC, but those 51/52 players will compete for those spots for the WC. They will deliver their best. The future of the Boks is in very safe hands. The only thing that bothers me is Rassie's health. If he can overcome it, rugby looks dark for the rest of the rugby world. He is already the greatest coach in WR history. By the time he retires, he will be the biggest legend any sport has ever seen
Go to commentsWas it? I just brought it up in some of my posts to rub it in that the AB last year nearly put 100 on a top 6N side lol
I agree to be honest. The biggest key to me that they might be jadded was none of them had mom performances, or even as good as their last three games.
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