British PM on song with ‘Swing Low’

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson doesn’t feel people should be prohibited from singing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot at England rugby games.

The African-American slave song has become something of an anthem at Twickenham and rugby authorities are reviewing whether that is appropriate as the Black Lives Matter movement gains momentum around the world.

Johnson felt most people barely knew the words to the song.

‘‘Before we start complaining about Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, I’d like to know what the rest of the words are,’’ Johnson said at a British media opportunity.

‘‘You go ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, coming for to carry me home’, and then it all dies out. How does it go on? That’s my question.

‘‘I certainly don’t think there should be any sort of prohibition on singing that song. My curiosity is why don’t people seem to know the rest of it ... I’d love to hear the rest of it.’’

When he was asked whether he would support a potential ban on the song, Johnson said he felt the issue was a distraction.

‘‘My only thought about this whole issue is, frankly, what people need to do, I think, is focus less on the symbols of discrimination or whatever, all these issues that people are now raising, to do with statues and songs and so on,’’ Johnson said during a visit to a school in Hertfordshire.

‘‘I can see why they’re very emotive, I understand that. But what I want to focus on is the substance of the issue.’’

But former England star Martin Offiah, who was playing during the song’s first known use at Twickenham in 1987, has welcomed the review though he also doesn’t want the song banned.

‘‘The song is not really what the issue is here – the issue is about diversity and inclusion. I think this is the first step as we progress towards change,’’ Offiah said.