A Welsh rugby fan descended from the writer of one of the country's most famous hymns has waded into the Delilah row. John Wilesmith is distantly related to William Williams Pantycelyn, who wrote what would become Bread of Heaven.
And while that tune's place in the Welsh rugby canon is assured, Delilah's is not. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said this week that Tom Jones' 1968 hit is banned because of its lyrics.
John, 64, is an avid rugby fan and has sung Delilah for years. But after looking at the lyrics closely, he says he agrees with the decision.
The grandad-of-three said: “At first I thought it was ridiculous, but then I looked at the lyrics. I can’t see how it crept under the wire all these years. It’s a bit like finding out your favourite uncle has a bit of a dodgy past.
"But lots of jokes and lyrics that were thought acceptable once rightly aren’t now and we have to move with the times."
Allegations of a toxic culture at the WRU have been reported in recent weeks. This had led some people - including current stars - to claim that songs are not what the organisation should be looking at. John agrees, and said: "I can’t help feeling that this is a bit of a knee-jerk reaction and a soft target.
"They should focus on completely stripping back the whole organisation and starting again. They’ve got no other choice. There are so many people singing it who have no idea of its relevance to domestic violence.
"It would be better to encourage them to think about it and become more aware."
John played for the local rugby club and is now chairman. His grandmother Mary Williams - her maiden name - was a direct descendant of Pantycelyn.
He wrote Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch in 1745, which was translated into English decades later. That version includes the Bread of Heaven line and is now sung to the tune of Cwm Rhondda.
Choirs have been banned from singing the Tom Jones hit ‘Delilah’ during their performances on rugby international matchdays at the Principality Stadium. The song’s lyrics include reference to a woman being murdered by her jealous partner.
The Welsh Rugby Union – the governing body which has recently been hit by sexism and discrimination allegations – took the song off its half-time entertainment and music playlist during Test matches in 2015. And guest choirs have also been asked not to feature the song.
“Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium,” a Principality Stadium spokesperson said. “The WRU removed the song from its half-time entertainment and music playlist during international matches in 2015.
“Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games. The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind.
“We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song, and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.”
Allegations of a “toxic culture” at the WRU were aired in a recent television documentary, resulting in the resignation of chief executive Steve Phillips. An independent taskforce is to be set up to tackle the allegations, with Sport Wales – a Welsh government-funded body – advising on the make-up and remit of the panel.
Delilah was a hit for Tom Jones (Matt Crossick/PA)
The allegations have rocked the whole sport in Wales to its foundations. In a tweet, Wales international wing Louis Rees-Zammit said: “All the things they need to do and they do that first….”
Welsh Conservative Sports Minister Tom Giffard said: “The decision is a wrongheaded one that amounts to simple virtue signalling, designed to ease the pressure the WRU are currently under. Calls to ban the song span at least the last decade, yet the WRU have chosen now to act.
“What people have been calling for is institutional change, improved working practices and a better complaints process for the WRU, but instead they are choosing to ban a much loved Tom Jones song. This action will solve nothing.”
