The Power of Four

{{Short description|Song written by Neil Myers}} {{good article}} {{EngvarB|date=January 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}} {{About|the song|other uses|Power of Four (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox song | name = The Power of Four | cover = | alt = | type = | artist = Melody Music Lions Choir | album = | EP = | language = English | written = | published = 2005 | released = | format = | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = | length = | label = | writer = Neil Myers | composer = Neil Myers | lyricist = | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | title = | next_title = | next_year = }} "'''The Power of Four'''" is a joint anthem composed for the British & Irish Lions rugby union team. It was written by Neil Myers in 2005.<ref name=sing>{{cite news|last=Harlow |first=Phil |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/4572933.stm |title=Sing when you're winning |work=BBC Sport |date=23 May 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> It was commissioned by the Lions head coach, Sir Clive Woodward for the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand as the official song. It was intended to be a universal anthem for the British & Irish Lions to be sung before every game. However it was criticised as being uninspiring as members of the Lions squad did not engage with it and it was also noted that the fans did not like it. It was dropped as the Lions anthem after the 2005 tour and led to changes in the way music would be chosen in future Lions tours.

== Background == The Lions were originally a representative team of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, but players from the Irish Free State remained eligible after it left the U.K. in 1922. Donal Lenihan recalled his dissatisfaction that the U.K. anthem "God Save the Queen" was played during the 1989 tour to Australia.<ref>{{cite book |first=Donal |last=Lenihan |title=Donal Lenihan: My Life in Rugby |publisher=Random House |year=2016 |isbn=978-1848272255 |page=214}}</ref> Later Lions teams lacked any anthem.<ref name=mull>{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lions+still+mulling+stadium+anthems.-a0132681192 |title=Lions still mulling stadium anthems. |publisher=Western Mail (archived at The Free Library) |location=Cardiff |date=21 May 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/roar-of-the-four-1-2049002|title=Roar of the four|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=25 May 2005 |access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref>

== 2005 Lions Tour == The Power of Four was commissioned by Sir Clive Woodward for the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and was written by Neil Myers. It was recorded by the Melody Music Lions Choir. The song is a classical composition<ref name=ESPN /> played in a high key.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hitt |first=Carolyn|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/lions-habit-hitting-winning-note-2394101 |title=Lions have the habit of hitting a winning note |work=Wales Online |date=25 June 2005 |access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref> It was first performed live by Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins before the British & Irish Lions rugby union match against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales in 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4573139.stm |title=Lions announce new official song |work=BBC Sport |date=23 May 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> it was performed despite suggestions of either God Save the Queen, the Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau or a combination of the anthems of the Home Nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland being played instead of The Power of Four.<ref name=mull /> It is always sung in English.

Before the British & Irish Lions squad was selected, Woodward sent out bracelets with "The Power of Four" printed on them to potential British & Irish Lions players to try and create a sense of unity and to make them think about the upcoming tour to New Zealand. This was criticised as being "crazy".<ref>{{cite news|last=Austin |first=Simon |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4562307.stm |title=The wacky world of Woodward |work=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> The Power of Four was also used as a motivational slogan in some of the Lions' team building activities.<ref>{{cite book | first = Gavin | last = Henson | title = My Grand Slam Year | publisher = HarperCollins UK | year = 2005| isbn = 0007216866 | page = 240}}</ref>

The lyrics of The Power of Four were circulated to all of the members of the British & Irish Lions tour squad and the song was pre-added to the playlists on their tour iPods. The song was not released as a single however it was permitted to be broadcast by radio stations and it was made available to download on the Internet. The British & Irish Lions players were shown the words of The Power of Four on the Saturday before their first game and it was expected that they would know the words by the time they had arrived in New Zealand; however, it was mentioned by a British & Irish Lions spokesman that the players were under no obligation to sing it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/16186.php |title=News article – Style E 4600 |publisher=IRFU |date=22 May 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

== Musical Analysis of the British and Irish Lions "The Power of Four" == {| class="wikitable"

|- ! '''Aspect''' ! '''Description and Musical Details''' |- | '''General technical''' | Key: Usually performed in G Major (some choral versions lower to F Major for baritone ease). G Major gives a majestic, heroic brightness. Tempo: Moderate march – ♩ = 92–96 BPM. Ceremonial, not a fast parade march. Time signature: 4/4 (C) – standard quadruple, easy to follow, ideal for stadiums. Texture: Choral polyphony with orchestral accompaniment. Starts slender (solo voices/sections) evolves into massive homophony at the choir. |- | '''Main motif (notes)''' | Central theme (union of four nations): ascending melody in G Major. Refrain "From the four cornered world..." approx: G – A – B – C | D – C – B – A | G – B – D – G′ Melodic analysis: uses perfect fourths and fifths – intervals associated with stability, nobility, military character. |- | '''Time & rhythm''' | Anacrusis (pick-up): most phrases begin with a short upbeat before the downbeat → constant forward impulse. March rhythm: dotted eighths + sixteenths frequent in brass/percussion → bouncing but firm, typical of British anthems. Cadences: at the end of each national verse (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England) a strong Authentic cadence (V–I) closes the idea before the next nation. |- | '''Orchestration & dynamics''' | Structural crescendo: begins with solo/small group → ends with full orchestra (heavy brass, strings, timpani) and complete choir at fortissimo (ƒƒ). Symbolism: each nation gets slightly different instrumental colour before merging into the common chorus → individuality unites as one team. |- | '''Basic harmony (chorus)''' | For keyboard/guitar – harmonic structure of the refrain: I – IV – V – I (G – C – D – G) vi – IV – V – I (Em – C – D) I – V – I (G – D – G) |} Source of the table and analysis: [https://lionsseries2025.rugby/british-and-irish-lions-anthem/ British and Irish Lions Anthem]

== References == <references> * {{Cite web |title=British and Irish Lions Anthem |url=https://lionsseries2025.rugby/british-and-irish-lions-anthem/ |website=lionsseries2025.rugby |access-date=15 March 2026}} </references>

===Reception=== The BBC opined during the Lions' warm-up game against Otago that it was not inspiring for the Lions supporters to sing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4102638.stm |title=Clockwatch: Otago 19–30 Lions |work=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> Austin Healey observed that the players did not appear to like "The Power of Four" ("Power") when it was performed.<ref>{{cite news|first=Austin |last=Healey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/19/rugbyunion.lions2005?INTCMP=SRCH |title=Boot that anthem into touch – but less so the ball |newspaper=Guardian |date=19 June 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

Before the first Test match, it was noticed that despite Lions fans being filmed singing "Power", none of the players did sing it when it was played as the Lions anthem before God Defend New Zealand.<ref>{{cite episode | title = First Test match | series = 2005 British & Irish Lions tour | network =SKY TV | location = Christchurch | airdate = 25 June 2005 | minutes = Anthems }} </ref> It was also noted that Lions fans felt that "Power" was not catching on and some even suggested that Axel F would be better than "Power".<ref>{{cite news|first=Paul |last=Smith |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10328455 |title=Lions Tour blog, June |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=22 June 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> It was also suggested that due to a perceived selection bias towards English members of the Lions, that Land of Hope and Glory should be used instead of "Power".<ref>{{cite news|author=Frank Keating |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/17/comment.frankkeating |title=Rugby Union: Frank Keating |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 June 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> The Lions' acting captain Martin Corry said that he did not attempt to sing "Power" because he felt that he would not be able to reach the correct notes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2005/06/09/nightmare-start-for-captain-corry-91466-15609012/ |title=Nightmare start for Captain Corry |work=Wales Online |date=9 June 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> In 2009, Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones said that "I'd rather sing "The Power of Love"{{hair space}}{{efn|Reports do not say which specific song Jones may be referring to, and there are several with this title. See: {{section link|The Power of Love (disambiguation)|Songs}} }} when asked if he would want to sing "The Power of Four".<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff writer|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/5388194/the-pride-of-the-lions|title=The Pride of the Lions |work=Sky Sports |date=19 June 2009 |access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref>

The song experienced a mixed response in the media. In July 2005, following the Lions tour, a journalist on the BBC Sport website, James Standley, commented that "Power" is "hollow and disliked by fans."<ref>{{cite news|last=Standley |first=James |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4671725.stm |title=Legend or loser? |work=BBC Sport |date=12 July 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> However, Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward said he hoped it would "stir the passions".<ref name=sing /> It was also described in The Independent as an "excruciating mix of politburo and classical pop".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://article.wn.com/view/2009/04/19/Pace_and_power_can_help_Lions_reach_giddy_heights/ |title=Pace and power can help Lions reach giddy heights |publisher=The Independent (archived at World News) |date=19 April 2009|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> However Danny Stevens in ''The New Zealand Herald'' said that "Power" was not a bad song but unfortunately nobody actually knew the tune or the words."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10331246 |title=Strictly kiwi music, not Tom Jones, for Lions games |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=17 June 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> The words of "Power" were also compared to be similar to the New Zealand Māori rugby union team's "Timatanga" haka in The Telegraph.<ref>{{cite news|author=Brendan Gallagher |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/brendangallagher/2360875/Maori-traditions-rooted-in-the-never-ending-tour.html |title=Maori traditions rooted in the never-ending tour |newspaper=Telegraph |date=10 June 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

The anthem did not return for the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, which received a positive reaction from Sky Sports reporters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/match_commentary/0,20244,11069_34226_1,00.html |title=Match Commentary – South Africa v British & Irish Lions – 20th June 2009 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=20 June 2009 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

== Legacy == The negative reception of The Power of Four was listed as one of the issues used to criticise Woodward for the failures of the tour.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rugby Union |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2362024/Saints-can-save-clever-Clive-from-ruck-bottom.html |title=Saints can save clever Clive from ruck bottom |newspaper=Telegraph |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> It was also pointed out that Woodward and team manager, Bill Beaumont used The Power of Four whenever they entered into a press conference which led to the press conferences being referred to as possibly being "mistaken for a revivalist meeting".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10334948 |title=Tour brought more talk than action |newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=9 July 2005 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

After 2005, The Power of Four became largely forgotten.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rees |first=Paul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2008/oct/17/lionstour2009-rugbyunion?INTCMP=SRCH |title=Rugby Union: Unity the priority as Lions opt for familiar faces |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 October 2008 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> During the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, ESPN jokingly suggested that The Power of Four would be remixed into a hip hop song for the third test by Pharrell Williams and would be performed by Snoop Dogg.<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/lions-tour-2013/rugby/story/188965.html |title=Lions reveal re-mixed 'Power of Four' anthem |publisher=ESPN|date=4 July 2013 |access-date=1 January 2014}}</ref>

==See also== * British & Irish Lions

==Notes== {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200624/http://www.lionsrugby.com/sound/Anthem%20Version%202.mp3 MP3 file] archived from the British & Irish Lions' site. Note: here the lyrics are slightly different: "our countries' call" rather than "our lions' call".

{{British & Irish Lions}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Power of Four}} Category:British & Irish Lions Category:Sporting songs Category:2005 songs