Tuesday, September 29, 2009

I Got Cut

At the very young age of seven, I first memorized the BYU fight song. My dad's seasons tickets to football and basketball gave me lots of opportunities to sing it. And sing I did. And I loved it. Except for the part that it's in the exact wrong range. A little too low to sing at the band, but if I go an octave up it's too hight. Anyone else with the problem?

Anyway, things have changed. I noticed the first lyric change about six or seven years ago...one I was mostly apathetic towards. Instead of singing, "stalwart men are true, wear the white and blue..." it was changed to "loyal, strong and true..." I guess they thought stalwart was a tongue twister?

But this newest change...I don't like it. I feel like I've bee kicked off the team. Always before I sang, "WE'RE on OUR way to fame and glory...as WE unfold OUR victory story, on WE go, to vanquish the foe..." Well now, I'm supposed to sin, "YOU'RE on YOUR way, YOU unfold YOUR victory story..." I mean seriously, why don't you just write my name below the line that says "CUT"? What did I do to deserve this? Nothing, I say. So, I'm just gonna keep singing it the way I like it. Cuz I'm pretty sure I'm part of that team.

35 comments:

Chief said...

I know you are sistah! You just keep belting it out! No one can deny you!

Rachel Sue said...

Is that an official change? Because I don't like it either. You're right. It's kind of alienating.

Kristina P. said...

That's uh, odd. Next thing you know, Cosmo will be an old lady cougar, going after hot, young cubs.

Camille said...

I'm sorry for your sense of loss. I don't understand why they would do that...but you know I wish was cut...Tracey from BL! and don't you love red team!!
(this is the first time I'm into BL, and I know you watch it, and I don't want to be left out of yours and Annies BL finale party)

Sandi said...

How rude of them Cougs!

Smart Helm said...

You knew the WORDS to the song? I'm so way impressed. Where did you learn that they had changed it?

If you can play it on the flute, does that count knowing the song too?

Deb said...

I have no idea what you're talking about, but I will defend to the death your right to sing whatever you want at a football game. Go on.

LisAway said...

How rude and insensitive! Where's the "We're all in this together" mentality? Sheesh.

And I think that stalwart part was taken out more for the MEN in the sentence. You know. Don't want to be sexist. Or maybe they realized that not all stalwart men ARE true? No, probably not that.

Mika McDaniel said...

I wondered if they had changed it! I honestly just started thinking maybe I had learned it wrong all those years ago. And I agree, who do they think they are! They couldn't do it without us! :)

sara said...

Wow, I totally didn't even know it had ever been changed. It was more than 6 years ago for that first change because when I was a wee freshman I learned it "loyal strong and true" and that was... ahem... 10yearsago.
Glad you told me of the new change. Otherwise next time I'm in town visiting I might've sung it wrong.

rychelle said...

does tradition mean nothing to them?!?

Nutty Hamster Chick said...

I'm with you, I will still sing it the old way. I without a doubt part of that team. Hey are you going Friday night, because I get to go. Woot woot!!!

JennyMac said...

some traditions should not be altered!

JD said...

i learned it the way it is now, so I can't really side with you on this one, Barb. sorry.

Connie said...

Why can't it say "we're?" That makes more sense if "we're" singing it. Maybe "You" isn't on your way to fame and glory. Who are "we" singing to?
I say, sing it the way you want.

Cranberryfries said...

What in the hoot-an-anny? That is so rude. What big wig thought that'd be a good idea? Well I'm not gonna watch them play anymore. :) No seriously though, my hubby hardly ever watches sports so I dont either. Still thats weird.

Kazzy said...

It's "we're" all the way for me! I still sing it like that. You go, girl!

April said...

I sing it the way I learned it.....20+ years ago! I don't care! And I will sing it that way on Fri at that game!!! We are in section 127 where are you?

The Crash Test Dummy said...

Hee hee hee I lub this post!

The Crash Test Dummy said...

You're such a cutie patootie!

Just SO said...

First off...I hate that these fight songs all say "men" and leave the women out. What? Women can't fight too? Bull I say. Bull.

Sing it the way you want to sista!

Lara Neves said...

WHAT? Why did they do that? I can't sing it that way!

I did okay with the stalwart men cut, simply because of the little bit of feminist in me. After all, there are women sports teams, right? And of course there are female fans.

You go girl, sing it the right way! That is to say, WE go girls (um, and boys!) We'll sing it the right way! Rise and shout!

Becca said...

If it makes you feel better, you can come and sing the Utah Fight Song with me and my 2 year old. It's her current favorite. And best of all---the words I, OUR, WE'RE, US remain intact keeping us all part of the team! And for the record, I'm with you, that's a stupid change--don't conform!

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

Sounds to me like one of those things were they think it through AFTER they do it and notice the public backlash. Administration thing, trust me. Oh wait, my hubs is an administrator. Um. Still is.

The Condies said...

Dude...I totally agree with you. We and Our is way better...and I miss you! We still need to get together, although this week is bad for me. But for sure call and we'll set something up!

the Lola Letters said...

That's it. I'm writing a strongly worded letter.

;)

Mayhem and Moxie said...

Your ability to memorize lines from movies and lyrics from songs has long amazed me. I am sorry to read about this recent turn of events.

Is there someone of a lyrics committee that you could appeal too? :)

I hope you are doing well, Barbaloot!

-Francesca

charrette said...

I thought the middle one was an attempt to thwart the sexist language :) (haha...like BYU would care!) But I agree...Taking the WE out of the fight song cuts EVERYBODY. They should have left it the way it was!

Sara Waldron said...

I'm glad you pointed this out at the game a couple of weeks ago. Cuz otherwise I would have continued singing it (not audibly though because of the range) with the wrong words. But I must say I don't pay as much attention to the words as I do watching the 3 men run the BYU flags. I think I'm always hoping one will trip. Wouldn't that be funny?

Heidi said...

Wha . . ?!??! They think it's all about THEM! The noive!

melissabastow said...

Maybe if you started ACTING like a team member they'd change it back - - you know, during basketball games show up on the court in your own jersey. Same for football - - get some good pads. And then during time outs, force your way into the huddles and tell everyone about all of your play ideas. You may even want to take a little white board and marker (or steal the coach's) to illustrate your point. And to draw pictures of butterflies and unicorns for the players to admire. THEN, maybe they'd think about changing the words back to WE and keep you in the stands in a straight jacket with a big foam hand hot glued to one side.

Anonymous said...

Did you call? I'd call, get my friends to call, and register a BIG complaint. After all, if Disney would change the Pirates of the Carribean after only 4 complaints, I would think more should be a shoe-in!

annie valentine said...

Yes, yes and yes. Wrong range, and while I like the loyal, strong and true (12 years ago, BTW), I feel deserted with this new anti-fan change. Hello? Without us there wouldn't BE a team.

Anonymous said...

So Wrong. I just spent the last three months of summer methodically teaching this song -- THE ORIGINAL fight song -- to a group of BYU freshmen-to-be, and this is the thanks I get? Who decides these things? Who's house should we t.p.? And how the heck are we going to campaign to get them to change it back??!!

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