Hearts of England

"Hearts of England" is the title of England team anthem for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. The song was performed by Jonathan Ansell and produced by Universal Music in partnership with the Rugby Football League.

Theme

Composer Patrick Hawes and his librettist brother Andrew Hawes wrote the patriotic piece to inspire the English team and their supporters. The main idea was to encapsulate the "traditions and heartlands of rugby league in this country as well as evoking the heroism and commitment of international teams competing on the world sporting stage".

Lyrics

By the sea’s rolling tide;

By the wide Pennine sky;

By the skill found in

Shipyard and mine;

By raw courage and love,

When our journey is tough,

The hearts of England are made.
By bonds thicker than blood

Binding evil with good,

By the strength born

Of family and home;

In the furnace of hope

On the anvil of will,

The hearts of England are made.
Stand up men of steel

And make all the world feel

The strength of your hand

And your eye.

By sweet victory gained

By faith and through pain

The hearts of England are made.

Live performances

Ansell performed the song live at rugby league's Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 30 August 2008.
The song is expected to be performed live before England's World Cup matches in Australia.