Tom Jones hit ‘Delilah’ banned by Welsh rugby over one lyric

Choirs have been instructed they’ll not sing the Tom Jones hit ‘Delilah’ whereas performing throughout Wales rugby worldwide matchdays at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

The lyrics of the track, an everlasting customary for Welsh pop star Jones because it first charted within the late Sixties, embrace a reference to a girl being murdered by her jealous accomplice.

One line of the track reads: “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.”

Wednesday’s announcement got here with the Welsh Rugby Union nonetheless reeling from allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia throughout the ranks of the governing physique.

Claims of a “toxic culture” on the WRU had been aired in a tv documentary final week, ensuing within the resignation of chief govt Steve Phillips on Sunday.

The WRU took ‘Delilah’ off its half-time leisure and music playlist throughout Test matches in 2015.

And now visitor choirs have additionally been requested to keep away from singing the track.

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“The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind,” stated a stadium spokesman.

“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.”

But it stays to be seen whether or not followers will nonetheless sing ‘Delilah’ of their very own accord when Wales start their Six Nations marketing campaign in opposition to Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.

Many England supporters at Twickenham proceed to belt out ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ regardless of the Rugby Football Union asking spectators to think about the Red Rose anthem’s origins as a story of American slavery.

Wednesday’s announcement by the WRU was questioned by Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit, who tweeted: “All the things they need to do and they do that first….”

Tom Giffard, an opposition Conservative member of the Welsh Assembly, was scathing: “The decision is a wrongheaded one that amounts to simple virtue signalling, designed to ease the pressure the WRU are currently under.”

He added: “This action will solve nothing.”