Come the opening game of England’s Euro 2020 campaign on Sunday, there will be millions of people blurting out Three Lions from the top of their lungs nationwide.
However, there is one particular line in the song which almost everyone will be singing wrong.
David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and the Lightning Seeds’ Three Lions song first produced in 1996 has become indelible and a mainstay in English football folklore.
Back then the lyrics and the song were designed to celebrate England hosting its first major tournament since 1996.
Thirty years after the glory of Wembley at the 1966 World Cup.
(Image: Getty Images)
However, since then the popularity of the song has hit meteoric heights and has morphed into a more profound meaning.
It is now used as England’s unofficial anthem heading into every major tournament, and as a way to inspire football fervour in the country.
England fans will always believe ‘it’s coming home.’ Even when it seems unlikely.
The song perfectly plays on the emotions of the country’s mindset and optimism heading into every tournament – often ending in major disappointment.
But that doesn’t stop every fan blurting out the tune upon every opportunity pre and post-match during the summer months.
The song will be chanted across pubs around the country throughout June and July.
Even if things do not go as planned.
However, there is one lyric which almost everyone gets wrong.
Fans would normally sing:
Cause I remember three lions on a shirt,
Jewels remain still gleaming,
Thirty years of hurt,
Never stopped me dreaming.
But the actual lyrics are:
Cause I remember three lions on a shirt,
Jules Rimet still gleaming,
Thirty years of hurt,
Never stopped me dreaming.
But who is Jules Rimet?
Jules Rimet was a French football administrator who served as FIFA president between 1921-1954. He was influential in creating the first World Cup in 1930 and was FIFA’s longest serving president presiding over the association for 33 years.
As a result of his accomplishments, the glittering World Cup trophy was named in his honour to commemorate his name.
So, when Baddiel, Skinner and co sing about Jules Rimet in Three Lions , they mean lifting the World Cup trophy.
Not about jewels that are gleaming.
Still, perhaps with the Euros coming up, the change in lyrics would make more sense.
Especially since there won’t be any sight of the Jules Rimmet trophy this summer. Or likely ever for that matter.
The trophy was stolen from the Westminster Town Hall back in the ’60s after England’s World Cup triumph.
In the end it was found in a bush in Norwood, but was lost again in Brazil in 1983.
By then FIFA had already redesigned the original model in 1970 and renamed it simply FIFA World Cup Trophy.
The whereabouts of the Jules Rimet trophy remains a mystery to this day and it has never been recovered.
Did you know the Three Lions’ original lyrics? What are your favourite England football anthems? Let us know below.
