Subject: RE: Delilah 'Banned' by Welsh Rugby Union
From:
GUEST,Anne Lister sans cookie
Date: 06 Feb 23 - 05:02 PM
There are, of course, some interesting points of view being expressed here. Just a couple of points: firstly, incidents of domestic violence increase after both football and rugby matches. This domestic violence is mostly directed by men against women. Secondly, someone suggested the fans wouldn't sing the relevant lines in "Delilah" - seriously? Have you been at the events where it's sung? It's acted out and emphasised but of course it's all in good fun, isn't it, so let's not worry about that. Quite a few people have expressed quite a few reservations over the years, and the WRU have been discouraging it for quite a while, but this time it's got into the media so everyone is talking about it.
I don't know whether it should be dropped from the choirs or banned. It is good fun to sing and most of those enjoying the dramatics and the melodic side of it won't be going home to hit their partners. But yes, the WRU is acutely aware right now of the accusations of misogyny, so it is more of a complex issue than singing a murder ballad in a folk club.
Finally - I was an extra for the filming of "Dream Horse". One of our scenes was a karaoke in a night club, where Karl Johnson's character, suitably inebriated, leads us all in "Delilah", complete with raucous choruses and the dramatic underlining of the lyrics. In the film it is without dire consequences and simply highlights the Welsh Valleys culture, where this is such a normal part of a good night out. The women join in with the men. It is inconceivable that people will stop singing this song. It is, sadly, also inconceivable that most people will recognise just how uncomfortable that leaves women who have been subject to domestic abuse.
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sj
