Politician's 'discomfort' over Delilah lyrics

Tom Jones' Delilah deals with the stabbing of an unfaithful woman

Wales fans who sing the Tom Jones song Delilah at sporting occasions should think about the violent lyrics of the song, according to an Assembly Member.

Mid and West Wales AM Helen Mary Jones says she feels "uncomfortable" that the song, which deals with the murder of an unfaithful woman, is sung by thousands at Wales football and rugby matches.

She told BBC Wales that the fans' favourite should be dropped in favour of other Welsh songs including Hymns and Arias and Cwm Rhondda.

The Plaid Cymru politician said she has disliked Delilah's lyrical content since a friend was killed in a domestic incident, but that she did not want to ban the song.

I don't think any kind of provocation from a woman is enough for a man to have the right to stab her

Helen Mary Jones

She added: "I have a friend who was killed by her partner, which of course the song is about.

"(My views were) in the context of a discussion with David Davies AM who was saying that there are some things in modern rap music that was so offensive that they should be banned.

"I used the example of Delilah to say that popular culture always reflects what's going on in society and some of what it reflects isn't very pleasant.

"We can't go around banning it - I was saying the opposite.

Helen Mary Jones is 'uncomfortable' with the lyrics

"(But) I've got to say that when I'm sitting in the Millennium Stadium, I have a little bit of discomfort (when Delilah is sung). Ms Jones added that she would like to see different songs sung by Welsh fans.

"I'm uncomfortable about the way Delilah is sometimes seen as an alternative national anthem.

"We've got songs like Hymns and Arias and Cwm Rhondda, which are better.

"I think if people thought about the lyrics of Delilah, they wouldn't feel wildly comfortable about them.

Delilah is a favourite among Wales fans

"It invites us to be sympathetic.

"(The lyrics say) 'forgive me Delilah, I just couldn't take any more'.

"I don't think any kind of provocation from a woman is enough for a man to have the right to stab her.

"But I think it's possible to get too serious and too heavy about these things."