The choir performed the harmonic version of the Baddiel and Skinner England football anthem, also known as Football’s Coming Home, in the cloisters at the Cathedral on Sunday 8 July during an afternoon event which traditionally brings the choir’s musical year to a close.
The idea of recording the classic song came from master of music Ashley Grote and Cathedral marketing manager James Shelton, who himself has strong football links. James was marketing & communications manager at the Norfolk FA for six years and has been match-day announcer at Norwich City home games at Carrow Road for the last five seasons.
James said:
“With so many people sharing funny memes, gifs and videos involving Three Lions in the days leading up to Saturday’s game, it seemed like an obvious idea. We knew that the Football’s Coming Home hype would increase even more if England progressed into the semis. We launched the video on social media today and loads of people have been commenting, sharing and liking – including David Baddiel! The video has just caught people’s imagination at the right moment, with the game against Croatia fast approaching.”
The musical arrangement was composed by Ashley who was delighted when David Baddiel tweeted in response to the video: “Beautiful. Even to my Jewish ears.”
Ashley said:
“I’m glad David likes it. We like to sing something fun and special at the final service of the school year and with the country and the choir members very excited about the football it was the obvious thing to do.
“I waited to do the arrangement until after England beat Sweden in the quarter-final on Saturday and we had a quick run through on Sunday morning. It was great fun.
“Personally speaking I was eight in 1990 and watched the last semi-final against Germany with my mum and dad and I remember Gazza crying. Then at Euro ‘96 I remember the Three Lions song, so for me England getting to the semi-final is great.”
The choir comprises boys from Norwich School and girl choristers from schools across Norfolk.
Ashley added a final message for the England team:
“Norwich Cathedral Choir are right behind you and want to see you go all the way.”
This article was first published in Network Norfolk
