"Shocking" - Fans rank England's rugby anthems with 'God Save The Queen' only third

The song has long been considered the traditional anthem for English rugby, but was recently the subject of a review by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) after concern over its subject matter was raised in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests.

While the RFU stopped short of banning the song – believed to have been written by 19th century freed slave Wallace Willis – unease was expressed over the lyrics, which refer to a slave’s hopes of finding peace in the afterlife.

A poll of 5,000 England fans nevertheless saw the controversial tune rank above the national anthem.

There have been calls for England Rugby to ditch God Save the Queen as their national anthem for years.

God save our gracious Queen!
Long live our noble Queen!
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen.

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen.

It has long been an anthem of England fans and is belted out lustily whenever the national team plays at Twickenham.

The African-American spiritual was not thought to have been sung there until 1988, when Chris Oti got a hat-trick.

But archive footage has now been found of it being sung at Twickenham in 1987 when Martin "Chariots" Offiah played.

LyricsSwing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me homeSwing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me homeI looked over Jordan and what do I see
(Coming for to carry me home)
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me homeSwing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low
Sweet chariotIf you get there before I do
Coming for to carry me home
Tell all my friends I'm coming too
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariotComing for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Home
Swing low
Sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me homeSwing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me homeSwing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me homeSwing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot

At international rugby union matches, the England team uses God Save The Queen as the national anthem.

However, Jerusalem or Land of Hope and Glory is the anthem played prior to kick-off.

Jerusalem has proved popular with England’s rugby fans.

The hymn originated as a poem and it was penned by William Blake.

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England's mountains green?

And was the holy lamb of God

On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the countenance divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!

Bring me my arrows of desire!

Bring me my spear: o clouds unfold!

Bring me my chariots of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight;