Football, Cheerleaders and the Band Played Dixie

Huntington News ^ | AUgust 25, 2011 | Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

[Bender2]

Well, big, since you are up in Mudderland awaiting the arrival of Irene... here is the Maryland State Song fer ya!

[MplsSteve]

Thought not a Southerner myself,one of the more touching things I ever read was on a plaque on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol:

Carmack’s Pledge to the South

The South is a land that has known sorrows; it is a land that has broken the ashen crust and moistened it with tears; A land scarred and riven by the plowshare of war and billowed with the graves of her dead; but a land of legend, a land of song, a land of hallowed and heroic memories.

To that land every drop of my blood, every fibre of my being, every pulsation of my heart is consecrated forever. I was born of her womb; I was nurtured by her breast; and when my last hour shall come, I pray God that I may be pillowed upon her bosom and rocked to sleep within her tender and encircling arms.

[Bender2]

And so you don't think... we've forgotten you, dearest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvWn_yGaA-Y

[Bender2]

To the men and women who have given their last, full measure of devotion:

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy,
let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

This part of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" has alway brought tears to my eyes and I have them now as I post this.

As has this from "13 Days of Glory":
"Now the bugles are silent
And there's rust on each sword
And the small band of soldiers...
Lie asleep in the arms of the Lord...

Bless them, Bless them All.

[Charles Martel]

This thread reminds me of of the wedding of one of my wife's co-workers. This girl was the daughter of a prominent banker in Meridian, Mississippi (which, BTW, is a city that is just chock-full of millionaires and old-school country clubs). The wedding reception was held at her parents' home. Biggest house in the area, top of the cul-de-sac, a fleet of golf carts and caddies borrowed from the father's club to ferry guests to and from their cars. Very impressive - in an "old world" sort of way.

The had live music under the oaks and magnolias, with the musicians packed into a huge gazebo. Just picture-perfect.

And then, at the end of the festivities, the happy couple got in their car to depart - and the band played Dixie as the car pulled away. Now, you'd expect the parents of the bride and groom to be emotional - but everyone there seemed to have a lump in their throat. Well, everyone over age twenty.

Ever since then, I've thought of that tune as something like a fine old bottle of whiskey - appropriate for very special occasions and when in the company of people who you know will appreciate it.

[Bender2]

Well, as one of my distant ancestors once said: “”With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children and my home.” - Robert E. Lee

Or as Robert Duvall portrayed in Gods and Generals

[Bender2]

Have you heard the New 2011 Packers Theme Song (Official Preview) Green N Yellow By Lil Vince?

Unfortunately, I... have!

[Bender2]

The first football fight song I recall is HERE and boy, does it ever show my age!

[Cuttnhorse]

LOL...great tune, but why no words??

[Cuttnhorse]

My dad, still kicking at 91, made sure my brother and I knew what a real fight song was:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ7oArZrQ1s

Still gives me goosebumps!

[Bender2]

From http://www.baltimorecoltsmania.com/video-audio.htm

Let's go you Baltimore Colts
And put that ball across the line,
So, drive on you Baltimore Colts -
Go in and strike like lightning bolts,
Fight, fight, fight,
Rear up you Colts and let's fight -
Crash through and show them your might -
For Baltimore and Maryland -
You will march on to victory.

Fight Song with an introduction by Johnny Unitas"
- - - by Jo Lombardi & Benjamin Klasmer

Gadzooks! That still feels... good to go!

[Bender2]

Re: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ7oArZrQ1s

Gadzooks, Cuttn, that means... I have to reply with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7csGhMQoQms

And my and Rick Perry's favorite college football fight song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkbAwgmGrnw

And that old World War Two quote: "Give me a handful of West Pointers and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies and I'll win a war!"

[Bender2]

Well, guess we need something for the Marines at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSRlQPD6Xiw&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzeqTyO5Mbs&feature=related

The Navy at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acnt3r6z5ns

The Army at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJybwgtR970 and Green Berets at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5WJJVSE_BE

The Air Force at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C95Cb2ByHNA&feature=related

And for my departed best friend ever and his Coast Guard at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rC9WxzBPKw

[Bender2]

And the US Navy Seals at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB188qaJnBg

[Bender2]

And one of my favorite movie themes: The Final Countdown 1980 theme by John Scott

Wow, when those F-14 took on those Zeros!

And I guess to get back on thread, here is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgF-rcHcPqE and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nACj50uq6_s

And in conclusion, boys ans girls, one of my favorite Civil War and Errol Flynn films, little know 1950's Rocky Mountain and its closing sequence here as a bunch of undercover Rebs give their lives for some Yankees when Errol says, "They've seen our backs. Let's show them our faces."

I always get a tear in my eyes at the end of this film.

[xrmusn]

Wow, when those F-14 took on those Zeros!
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

I kind of ‘forget’ the little bit of Japanese I had learned (in order to ‘survive’) but I do know the exchange between the Zero pilots was “Wow WTF was that”? Naturally, that is just a loose translation.

[TomServo]

I remember in the early 60’s and living in Alabama, listening to the radio station sign on in the morning with ‘Dixie’...

[Georgia Girl 2]

I remember when every FSU football game started with Dixie. I was there for 4 years of them. The last year they tried to ban it but we all just stood up and sang it anyway. That was the end of that.