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Should Songs Be Banned Because Of Disagreeable Lyrics?
Is ‘Delilah’ A Storm In A Teacup?
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) bosses and the Police in Wales seem to have got their knickers in a twist over Tom Jones 1968 hit record ‘Delilah’. Some people are even calling for the great Welsh singer to be Cancelled. His loyal fans and those who follow Welsh Rugby Union ain’t gonna let that happen.
The WRU has decided to remove Tom Jones 1968 anthem, ‘Delilah’, from its choir playlist at the Principality Stadium. It’s been a tradition for fans in the stadium to sing the song in the build up to a game before kick-off.
It was banned because the WRU thought the song had problematic lyrics. A man discovers that his girl, Delilah, has been seeing someone else. When her new man leaves her house, he shows up at her door and stabs her to death. It’s a song about a crime of passion.
Surely most songs about relationships that breakdown have uncomfortable lyrics. They tell a story. A work of fiction. Sometimes that story ends in violence and tragedy. Such is life. In fact life is not always a bed of roses. Get over it WRU!
However, there is nothing worse for England supporters, than to hear Welsh rugby fans passionately belting out ‘Delilah’ during a game. It spurs on their team, and is a sure sign that Wales are on top and heading for victory.
So what’s all the fuss about, and how are the lyrics controversial? I mean, hardly anyone seems to know the words to the verses. Most will know the chorus, which is nothing more than a good old fashioned rousing drinking song.
It is the line in the song where Delilah laughingly mocks her former boyfriend, and his response.
“At break of day when that man drove away, I was waiting
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”