News article – Style E 4600

The British and Irish Lions will sing an official anthem, entitled “The Power Of Four”, before each one of their 2005 Tour matches, including Monday’s warm-up clash with Argentina.

The song was specially commissioned by the Lions and will be performed for the first time before the Zurich Test against the Pumas in Cardiff.

With the Lions’ summer Test opposition, the All-Blacks singing their own national anthem and engaging in the haka pre-match, Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward felt it was important, for psychological reasons, for the Lions to enjoy their own rallying call.

He commented: “I hope players and fans alike will welcome the fact that we have our own song, which can be used to stir the passions and help build the phenomenal camaraderie that is developing between the players of the four countries who have come together as one.

“We are determined to make this the best prepared and the most professional Lions tour ever, and this is one small part of that.”

The song was written by composer Neil Myers, and will be performed on Monday night by Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins.

“The Power Of Four” lyrics:

“From the four corners of our lands,
“We’re united, hand in hand,
“Together,
“We’re stronger,
“We join and proud we stand.

“Now the day has come, we are one,
“Standing tall for our Lions call,
“We’re stronger,
“Together,
“We are the power of four.”

The song will be available for fans to download from the internet and the Lions players are to have it added to the iPods which they were given last week.

A Lions spokesman said: “The players were shown the words on Saturday but they will not be expected to sing it on Monday. The important thing is that everyone is focussing totally on the game against Argentina. But by the time we get to New Zealand, we will all be word perfect.

“As with national anthems there is no obligation on players to sing, but we believe this song will become a popular part of the whole adventure to New Zealand.”