"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, using words by Sir Cecil Spring Rice.^[1]

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.

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

"World in Union"
Single by Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel
from the album Land of My Fathers
Released	11 October 1999
Recorded	1999
Genre	Classical crossover
Length	3.45
Label	Decca
Songwriter(s)	Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek
Producer(s)	Charlie Skarbek

Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel released a version of the song on 11 October 1999. It was mimed live by at the opening of the series in June 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^[7] in October 1999.

UK 3 track maxi CD single

1. "World in Union" (Duet: Bryn Terfel and Shirley Bassey) – 3:42
2. "World in Union" (Shirley Bassey) – 3:45
3. "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

"World in Union"
Single by Hayley Westenra
from the album World in Union : The Rugby World Cup 2011 (The Official Album)
Released	26 August 2011
Recorded	2011
Genre	Classical crossover, pop
Length	3.20
Label	Decca
Songwriter(s)	Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek

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,^[8][9] 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.^[10][11][12] 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.^[13][14]

The Official Album track listing

1. World In Union – Hayley Westenra
2. Swing Low '99 – Arr. C. Skarbek/ T.R. Evans – Russell Watson, Royal Choral Society
3. Land of My Fathers – Fron Male Voice Choir
4. Ireland's Call – Brian Kennedy, Paul Byrom
5. Scottish Medley – Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
6. Jerusalem – The Coldstream Guards Band, Alfie Boe
7. Glorious – Mary-Jess
8. Now's The Time – Luigi Corvi
9. Calon Lan – Katherine Jenkins
10. O Verona – Only Men Aloud
11. Pokarekare Ana – Hayley Westenra, Francois Rive, Robbie McIntosh, Metro Voices, Te Tau Choir, Jenny O'Grady, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ian Dean
12. Waltzing Matilda – André Rieu, Mirusia Louwerse
13. We'll keep a welcome – Bryn Terfel, Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, Gareth Jones, The Black Mountain Choir, The Risca Choir
14. Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika – Kenyan Boys Choir
15. Men of Harlech – Fron Male Voice Choir
16. God Defend New Zealand – Hayley Westenra
17. The Fields Of Athenry – Máiréad Carlin
18. Cwm Rhondda – Bryn Terfel, Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, Gareth Jones, The Black Mountain Choir, The Risca Choir
19. La Marseillaise – Roberto Alagna
20. Swing Low – All Angels
21. World In Union (English / Māori) – Hayley Westenra
22. 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^[15] and received over 10,000 signatures. The petition was featured on the front page of UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph.^[16]

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.^[17][18]

ITV used a version recorded by Emeli Sandé for their 2019 World Cup coverage.^[19]

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.^[20]

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.