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Itoje says no to Swing Low

Star England lock Maro Itoje says he will no longer sing English rugby anthem Swing Low, Sweet Chariot because of its origins in American slavery. The song has been a trademark at England matches since 1987. However, it was reviewed by the Rugby Football Union in 2020 after the Black Lives Matter movement. The RFU chose not to ban the song that has been credited to Wallace Willis, a 19th-century freed slave, but withdrew it from marketing and merchandise while sharing a video explaining its historical context. Itoje, 27, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, has now said he won’t sing it. ‘‘I’m not going to tell people what they should or shouldn’t do but, personally, I won’t sing this song again,’’ he said.

Sport

en-nz

2022-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282153589904366

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