Six Nations: Scotland fans going for a song

A BORDERS rugby fan who writes the “Scottish Rugby Blog” has launched a campaign for supporters to find their singing voices at Twickenham this weekend and provide better backing for the Scotland team.

Cameron Black is one of a group of fans who have come up with new songs and chants in an effort to inspire fans to maintain their vocal support of the team through tomorrow’s Calcutta Cup match and back at Murrayfield.

In his column, Black wrote: “It’s hard to argue that the SRU don’t do their best to try to create a great atmosphere inside Murrayfield on an international match day. There’s fireworks, explosions, cannons, balls parachuted onto the pitch, the odd national hero and the often stirring a capella singing of Flower of Scotland, all designed to get the crowd into a frenzy.

“However the crowd’s contribution in the 80 minutes that follows is often lacking, especially when things aren’t going Scotland’s way.

“Cheering, shouting, but singing? In the face of swinging Chariots, The Fields of Athenry, Ou Est Le Papier or the entire Welsh valleys choirbook, there are two go-to options for the Scottish crowd: the National Anthem and a droning chant of ‘Scootttlaaannnd, Scooootttllaannd’.

“Football fans do it much better, enlivening the dullest of matches with a song and engaging with whatever rival fans are singing (rather than just trying to drown it out). Songs don’t even have to have anything to do with what’s happening on the pitch or who’s playing.”

Black provides suggestions, which include: “He’s big, he’s blonde, his legs are five miles long, it’s Richie Gray, Richie Gray.”

Or “Our Johnnie plays over the ocean, our Johnnie plays over the sea, he’s gonnae smash ye tae pieces, that’s why we love Johnnie Beattie!”

One-line comebacks to England songs include: ‘You’re not swinging low any more!’, and, if Scotland are losing, a satirical ‘Are you Tonga in disguise?”

A number of bloggers have responded with various suggestions of songs, and pledges to join in at Twickenham tomorrow.

Black said: “The consensus seems to be in favour of having a crack at ‘Loch Lomond’ during Saturday’s game at Twickenham if the songs are started.”