Wales’ head coach Warren Gatland (L) and Wales’ captain Ken Owens have been on hand to launch the Six Nations as Wales’ fans are asked to stop singing Delilah (Picture: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Say the name ‘Delilah’ in conversation and there’s a strong chance someone will break out into a rousing rendition of ‘Why, why, why Delilah.’
It’s one of those ubiquitous songs that many people just know, even if they aren’t familiar with the crooner behind the tune released in 1968, Sir Tom Jones.
The song has long been a popular anthem for the Welsh rugby, in part due to Tom Jones’ status as a Welsh icon.
But the song will be sung no more. Why has Delilah been banned from the Welsh Rugby Union?
Why has Delilah been banned from Welsh rugby games?
The banning of the song comes after allegations were made in a recent BBC documentary about a toxic culture permeating through the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
These included accusations of racism, homophobia and sexism.
‘Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium,’ statement announced earlier this week.
‘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.’
What is Delilah about?
Despite the seemingly jolly and memorable chorus of ‘why, why, why Delilah’, the 1968 tune is actually dark in its subject matter.
The song tells the story of a young woman named Delilah who is murdered by her boyfriend after being caught with another man. The song’s verses follow her boyfriend spying on the couple and confronting her about the situation the next morning.
Delilah laughs in his face over the cheating. Her boyfriend then reaches for a knife and stabs her to death, before waiting for the police to arrive and arrest him.
What are some of the controversial Delilah lyrics?
While the story of the song is tough, some of the standalone lyrics can be also considered objectionable.
For example, in the opening verse, the lyrics include:
‘She was my woman
As she deceived me, I watched and went out of my mind’
Here, a woman is seen as an object belonging to the boyfriend.
Other lyrics that might be seen as offensive include:
‘She stood there laughing,
I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more.’
MORE : When does the Six Nations start? TV channel, fixtures and kick-off times
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Why, why, why has Delilah been banned?
