The WRU has dropped Delilah at the rugby with the Tom Jones anthem, which references the murder of a woman, no longer to be played at Wales home matches.
The male-voice choir performing before this weekend’s opening Guinness Six Nations fixture at home to Ireland at Principality Stadium will not sing the song, as first reported by The Times, and it will not be played over the tannoy with no plans for it to return at a later date.
Read more: Wales Six Nations squad
The decision comes amid allegations of misogyny, sexism and racism at the WRU, detailed in a BBC Wales documentary which led to the resignation of CEO Steve Phillips.
Fans will not be banned from singing the song but it will not be played over the PA system or performed by choirs pre-match. The RFU has taken a similar approach to the previously popular ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ song at Twickenham, which has links to slavery.
Related: Six Nations fixtures
Gallagher Premiership side Exeter Chiefs previously dropped the use of the Tomahawk Chop following the club’s rebrand away from Native American imagery but the tune has made a return over the tannoy in games at Sandy Park in 2023.
Delilah was first released in 1968 and has become a Welsh rugby anthem at matchdays in Cardiff.
A Principality Stadium spokesperson said: “Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium. The WRU removed the song from its half-time entertainment and music play list during international matches in 2015. Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games.
“The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind. We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.”
Tom Jones song Delilah full lyricsI saw the light on the night that I passed by her window
I saw the flickering shadows of love on her blind
She was my woman
As she deceived me, I watched and went out of my mind
My, my, my, Delilah
Why, why, why, Delilah
I could see, that girl was no good for me
But I was lost like a slave that no man could free
At break of day when that man drove away, I was waiting
I crossed the street to her house and she opened the door
She stood there laughing
I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more
My, my, my, Delilah
Why, why, why, Delilah
So before they come to break down the door
Forgive me Delilah, I just couldn’t take anymore
She stood there laughing
I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more
My, my, my, Delilah
Why, why, why, Delilah
So before they come to break down the door
Forgive me, Delilah, I just couldn’t take anymore
Forgive me, Delilah, I just couldn’t take anymore
Download the digital edition of Rugby World straight to your tablet or subscribe to the print edition to get the magazine delivered to your door.
Follow Rugby World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
