The Power of Four

"The Power of Four" is a joint anthem for the British and Irish Lions, a rugby union team. It was created by Neil Myers. == Musical structure and technical details ==

The anthem is written in a ceremonial style typical of British rugby and national sporting songs. Its musical construction emphasizes unity and grandeur suitable for stadium performance.

General musical characteristics

• Key: Usually performed in G major. Some choral arrangements transpose the piece to F major for baritone range. G major provides a bright and heroic character.
• Tempo: Moderate march, approximately ♩ = 92–96 BPM. The pace is ceremonial rather than a fast parade march.
• Time signature: 4/4 (common time), a regular quadruple meter that is easy for large crowds to follow.
• Texture: Choral polyphony with orchestral accompaniment. The piece begins with lighter vocal sections and gradually develops into a full choir in homophonic texture.

Main melodic motif

The central musical theme, representing the unity of the four nations of the British & Irish Lions, follows an ascending melodic contour in G major.

Approximate melodic outline of the refrain:

G – A – B – C | D – C – B – A | G – B – D – G'

The melody prominently uses perfect fourths and fifths, intervals traditionally associated with strength, nobility and ceremonial or military music.

Rhythm and phrasing

• Anacrusis: Many phrases begin with a short upbeat (pick-up note) before the main beat, creating a sense of forward movement.
• March rhythm: Dotted eighth and sixteenth note patterns appear frequently in brass and percussion parts, giving the anthem a firm but energetic motion typical of British ceremonial music.
• Cadences: Each verse representing a nation traditionally resolves with a strong authentic cadence (V–I) before the next section begins.

Orchestration and dynamics

The orchestration gradually expands throughout the piece.

• Begins with solo voices or small vocal groups
• Builds toward a full orchestral texture including brass, strings and timpani
• Concludes with the full choir at fortissimo (𝆑𝆑)

This structural crescendo symbolically reflects the coming together of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales into a single unified team.

Basic harmonic structure

The harmonic framework of the main chorus follows a traditional tonal progression in G major:

I – IV – V – I (G – C – D – G)

vi – IV – V (Em – C – D)

I – V – I (G – D – G)

Words

From the four corners of our lands
We're united, hand in hand
Together
We're stronger
We join and proud we stand
Now the day has come, we are one
Standing tall for our Lions' call
We're stronger
Together
We are the power of four.