Yule Rimet still gleaming! Three Lions gets a festive makeover for first-ever December World Cup… and taunts the men that it’s only 20 WEEKS of hurt for the Lionesses
- Comedians have reunited with singer Ian Broudie for a new version of anthem
- Released today, it includes reworked festive lyrics ‘Three Lions on a sleigh’
- Lionesses stars Jess Carter and Beth England also feature in the music video
- Lyrics also include ’20 weeks of hurt’ jibe at men after women’s Euro 2022 win
David Baddiel and Frank Skinner have released a festive version of their iconic Three Lions anthem ahead of the first-ever December World Cup.
The comedians have reunited with singer Ian Broudie to create a new rendition of the song with Christmas-themed lyrics and a seasonal music video.
The chorus of ‘Three Lions on the shirt’ becomes ‘Three Lions on a sleigh’, while Sir Geoff Hurst and Lioness stars Jess Carter and Beth England also feature in the accompanying music video.
Released today, the song also changes the original lyrics from 1996 of ’36 years of hurt’ to ’56’, while the comedians also poke fun at the men’s team with a reference to ’20 weeks of hurt’ in relation to the Lionesses’ victorious Euro 2022 campaign over the summer, The Sun reports.
Immortalised by England’s semi-final performance at home at Euro 96, the Three Lions anthem – and its iconic ‘football’s coming home’ chorus – has serenaded most of the international footballs tournaments between then and now.
The new music video, which features highlights from England games over the last year, including the Lionesses’ famous victory, begins with Baddiel and Skinner in the press conference following the final win over Germany.
The comedians have reunited with singer Ian Broudie to create a new version of the song with Christmas-themed lyrics
Frank Skinner and David Baddiel have returned with a new version of the classic Three Lions football anthem, originally released in 1996
The famous song was written for England’s home tournament at Euro 96. It became a mighty anthem that captured the nation’s imagination and was sung constantly as England made it to the semis, only to lose to the Germans on penalties once again
This new version will pay tribute the heroic England women’s team, who did what the men have failed to do for so many years when they won a major tournament earlier this year
Skinner sings ‘loving the Lionesses win’ during the opening verse, before singing the chorus: ‘Three Lions on a sleigh, with She-Lions inspiration. Santa says let’s play, the Christmas tree formation.’
It also shows Baddiel placing a Jules Rimet trophy ornament on top of a Christmas tree.
The duo also poke fun at Skinner’s previous addiction to alcohol, with Baddiel singing: ‘When they decided on Qatar, should have checked VAR. It’s too hot, and too far – so we’ll be snowflakes watching it here. This is our time of year, we’ll be having a beer. ‘
Skinner them chimes in: ‘Actually I won’t because I’ve got alcohol issues.’
Coming face to face with the versions of themselves from the original 1996 hit while sitting in a dated living room, the pair are then met with the arrival of England legend Hurst on their doorstep.
The chorus of ‘Three Lions on the shirt’ becomes ‘Three Lions on a sleigh’ in reworked festive lyrics
Sir Geoff Hurst and Lioness stars Jess Carter and Beth England also feature in the accompanying music video
This year’s World Cup marks a departure from all the others that preceded it, as it will be played in the winter time, to compensate for the searing temperatures that Qatar sees in the summer.
Speaking about the song, Skinner said: ‘We just had to do it. Christmas World Cup songs are not like buses.
‘If we’d let this opportunity pull away, it would have been a very long wait for the next one.’
Baddiel added: ‘It’s between me and Mariah Carey for who really is the voice of Christmas.’
The original, which topped the charts along with the reworked Three Lions ’98, has sold almost two million copies and has been streamed tens of millions of time.
It comes three days ahead of England’s World Cup opener against Iran.
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