Tune

Question
The name of the song to the rugby world cup 1999! the symphony one, that was played during the intervals! PLEASE HELP ME TO KNOW

Answer
Well, I think you are referring to The World In Union, which has been used in several World Cups now. It is "derived" from Gustav Holst's music to the hymn "I vow to thee my country". The hymn evolved out of Holst's symphony The Planets, where this song is part of the Jupiter section. It was sung by Dame Shirley Bassey (who sang it in English) and Bryn Terfel (who sang the Welsh language parts) in the 1999 tournament. There is a 6 or 8 bar stretch which is directly lifted from the hymn, the rest is closely refashioned.

The previous world cup, in 1995, in South Africa it was sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo and in 1991 it was sung by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

The recent version is available on CD as part of the Land of My Fathers compilation CD issued for the rugby world cup, and available online from serveral suppiers. ASIN reference: B00002M7NS, catalogue reference: 4665672

I hope that it useful, let me know if it was another song you were thinking of.

Best wishes
Chris.