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Victory song?

Here are some examples of how to use your alma mater.

As part of the pregame shows at UT and LSU. Obviously those two places are years behind us in football atmosphere. Notice that the crowd actually participates (and are in the stadium!)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le3vAXCPD_k&feature=related"]YouTube - Longhorn Nation: Eyes of Texas[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6ku4RYBAfE&feature=related"]YouTube - LSU Tiger Band Pregame 11.22.08 Alma Mater #1[/ame]

Here is postgame with the team at Notre Dame. If you want an example of football tradition, not many better places to look.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp1k64n9WNI&feature=related"]YouTube - Notre Dame alma mater, 10/3/09[/ame]

And then here is a look at some of our Big 12 bretheren with KU pregame and OSU postgame.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h51be27dN8c"]YouTube - KU Alma Mater & Rock Chalk Chant in HD[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY-wc-jKwhs"]YouTube - Alma Mater.MOV[/ame]

Seriously though, we can get the student section to sing the fight song, do the cyclone aerobics, and do the cowbell cheer with the drumline, we can get this figured out too. And this stuff oozes way more tradition and pagentry than any of those other things could ever hope to do. I can sing along to Garth Brooks at any other pro or college sports event, this is the stuff that makes a day at the stadium special and unique.

And there is no way any of those above alma maters are that much better than ours. We can do it with Bells, no doubt about it.
 
theshadow said:
This is already pretty much the order. Everyone is in a big snit to leave as soon as the clock hits :00 (or before), so by the time the first two songs are played, the only people left in the stadium are the band and the cleanup crew.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is pretty much the order, only there is a lot more stuff between fights and bells. I spent 5 years in the band, so I have been through the drill a few times. It seemed that we would actually play whatever, stand tunes, or music from the halftime show, or whatever to fill the time while the stadium emptied out. We would actually do this for however long it took and then once the place had cleared, we would play Bells and leave. This would seem to me to be about the last thing you would want to do to build a tradition like you see in other places. Obviously nobody is going to stay around to sing it if you wait for them to leave before you play it.

If the band needs to play it last before they leave, great, play it twice. End of game, Fights, if we win then the victory song and only that song, then Bells with the team, students and fans. Then the band plays whatever while people leave, and when the band is ready to wrap up, Bells again. Bam, problem solved, tradition born.
 
superfan said:
I LOVE the idea of the Wicked Witch music after a 3rd Down stop. Band folk - get on that.

I like Cyclone Aerobics, as well, just because it's organized. There is nothing tackier than waving the wheat. Nothing.

Count me in the crowd that's not impressed with Bells. It always seemed nonsensical to me. Let's review...

Green hills, for thy throne
Green hills? In Iowa? Where? ...or are we talking about the Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames?

...and for crown a golden melody...
Oh boy...guess a real gold crown would require people to donate to the AD. Let's stick with the melody.

...ringing in the hearts of all who bring thee love and loyalty
ALL? That's a pretty strong statment - what proportion of ISU fans even know the words? 10-20% ?
How many of those because they're on the scoreboard while it plays?

DEAR ALMA MATER
The three words everyone knows.

...make our spirits great...
Fight Song does it better.

True and Valiant like the Bells of Iowa State
I understand how a Bell can be "true", but how the hell could a bell be "valiant"?

"Valiant" adj. - posessing or acting with bravery or boldness : courageous; marked by, exhibiting, or carried out with courage or determination

When I grow up, I want to be as brave as a bell.
Click to expand...


Dude, no matter how sarcastic and snarky you get, we aren't going to change the alma mater. You may be able to influence when it is played, but it aint changing. It is a tradition, which is what we are trying to foster in this thread.


As a band alum I have a deep connection to Bells of Iowa State. It is sung by the band after every game and it truly is a deep and profound moment. One that really hits home after your last football game, knowing you will never sing it with your fellow band mates again. Personally, singing it and hearing it makes tears well up in my eyes.

Don't get hung up on the lyrics, think about what the song means as a whole. The song itself is subtle and I agree it is not a big rah rah exciting tune. It is meant to be sombre and emotionally meaningfull.


True and Valiant Mother F***** !!!
 
aeroclone said:
Here are some examples of how to use your alma mater.

As part of the pregame shows at UT and LSU. Obviously those two places are years behind us in football atmosphere. Notice that the crowd actually participates (and are in the stadium!)

YouTube - Longhorn Nation: Eyes of Texas
YouTube - LSU Tiger Band Pregame 11.22.08 Alma Mater #1

Here is postgame with the team at Notre Dame. If you want an example of football tradition, not many better places to look.

YouTube - Notre Dame alma mater, 10/3/09

And then here is a look at some of our Big 12 bretheren with KU pregame and OSU postgame.

YouTube - KU Alma Mater & Rock Chalk Chant in HD
YouTube - Alma Mater.MOV

Seriously though, we can get the student section to sing the fight song, do the cyclone aerobics, and do the cowbell cheer with the drumline, we can get this figured out too. And this stuff oozes way more tradition and pagentry than any of those other things could ever hope to do. I can sing along to Garth Brooks at any other pro or college sports event, this is the stuff that makes a day at the stadium special and unique.

And there is no way any of those above alma maters are that much better than ours. We can do it with Bells, no doubt about it.
Click to expand...

True.
 
Ciclone said:
Texas is basically singing "I've been working on the railroad" for crying out loud.
Click to expand...

Just go look for the post game video of Texas A&M vs. Missouri on Youtube. The entire crowd is involved and singing the Aggie War Hymn after the game. Pretty awesome stuff.
 
As for Sweet Caroline, I am not a fan. I think "Hey Baby" has all the charm of Sweet Caroline and also has some originality to it. The band has also been playing it for a while and it is at least somewhat of a tradition.
 
I really like the atmosphere at Kyle field. Would love to go to a game where we arent the opponent and can be on the aggies side (the TAMU-UT game would be one to hit for sure)
 
Ciclone said:
Texas is basically singing "I've been working on the railroad" for crying out loud.
Click to expand...

Exactly, if they can turn that into a meaningful, rousing tradition as part of their gameday experience, there is no excuse for not being able to do the same with Bells.
 
superfan said:
I LOVE the idea of the Wicked Witch music after a 3rd Down stop. Band folk - get on that.

I like Cyclone Aerobics, as well, just because it's organized. There is nothing tackier than waving the wheat. Nothing.

Count me in the crowd that's not impressed with Bells. It always seemed nonsensical to me. Let's review...

Green hills, for thy throne
Green hills? In Iowa? Where? ...or are we talking about the Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames?

...and for crown a golden melody...
Oh boy...guess a real gold crown would require people to donate to the AD. Let's stick with the melody.

...ringing in the hearts of all who bring thee love and loyalty
ALL? That's a pretty strong statment - what proportion of ISU fans even know the words? 10-20% ?
How many of those because they're on the scoreboard while it plays?

DEAR ALMA MATER
The three words everyone knows.

...make our spirits great...
Fight Song does it better.

True and Valiant like the Bells of Iowa State
I understand how a Bell can be "true", but how the hell could a bell be "valiant"?

"Valiant" adj. - posessing or acting with bravery or boldness : courageous; marked by, exhibiting, or carried out with courage or determination

When I grow up, I want to be as brave as a bell.
Click to expand...

Wow man.. you don't get it AT ALL.

Green hills, for thy throne
Ames isn't actually as flat as you're suggesting.. and have you been to northeast Iowa?? All there are is hills.
Oh, and I should mention that at this point, we're using Iowa State as a metaphor for royalty, and the Green Hills make up the throne.

...and for crown a golden melody...
Ah yes, more metaphors!! The crown of our royal Iowa State is made up a Golden Melody (meaning a beautiful or sweet melody).. referencing this particular song, which is a beautiful melody

...ringing in the hearts of all who bring thee love and loyalty
Again, referencing this melody which, if people would learn it, would ring in the hearts of everyone. It's supposed to be for everybody who loves and is loyal to Iowa State.

DEAR ALMA MATER
Yep..

...make our spirits great...
Fight song does it better??? We're asking IOWA STATE to make our spirits great, not just the ******* song!

True and Valiant like the Bells of Iowa State
Again, I agree with what has been said about the Campanile -- the bells have a very grand sound, and have a hell of a valiant sound to them. Either way... you're still taking everything too literally.


That's what that song means. That's the imagery. It's poetry. And the song is beautiful.

/End rant.
 
Skyh13 said:
Wow man.. you don't get it AT ALL.

Green hills, for thy throne
Ames isn't actually as flat as you're suggesting.. and have you been to northeast Iowa?? All there are is hills.
Oh, and I should mention that at this point, we're using Iowa State as a metaphor for royalty, and the Green Hills make up the throne.

...and for crown a golden melody...
Ah yes, more metaphors!! The crown of our royal Iowa State is made up a Golden Melody (meaning a beautiful or sweet melody).. referencing this particular song, which is a beautiful melody

...ringing in the hearts of all who bring thee love and loyalty
Again, referencing this melody which, if people would learn it, would ring in the hearts of everyone. It's supposed to be for everybody who loves and is loyal to Iowa State.

DEAR ALMA MATER
Yep..

...make our spirits great...
Fight song does it better??? We're asking IOWA STATE to make our spirits great, not just the ******* song!

True and Valiant like the Bells of Iowa State
Again, I agree with what has been said about the Campanile -- the bells have a very grand sound, and have a hell of a valiant sound to them. Either way... you're still taking everything too literally.


That's what that song means. That's the imagery. It's poetry. And the song is beautiful.

/End rant.
Click to expand...

I always took it as
'crown a golden melody'= campanile is crowned by bells which create the melody you often hear on campus.
 
Last edited:
Cyclonestate78 said:
Just go look for the post game video of Texas A&M vs. Missouri on Youtube. The entire crowd is involved and singing the Aggie War Hymn after the game. Pretty awesome stuff.
Click to expand...

Ask and you shall receive.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c2qHXOXK6w]YouTube - Texas A&M beats Missouri[/ame]

Granted this is a little more rah rah than most alma maters, but when have you ever seen anything with anywhere close to this much tradition and emotion in Jack Trice?
 
Ciclone said:
Texas is basically singing "I've been working on the railroad" for crying out loud.
Click to expand...

True that the song is kinda tacky and extremely stereotypical "Texas", I had the opportunity to actually go see a game in DKR last fall when Kansas played Texas (felt so great to cheer against KU:yes:). But when the seniors and the team came over to the stands to sing Eyes after the game, it was extremely moving and there were people almost crying around us...kinda like a religious experience for them.

I really feel if we can do something after the game where CPR brings the team over by the students and we sing Bells, we could pull something like that off...no way it's getting cut from pregame tho.
 
aeroclone said:
Granted this is a little more rah rah than most alma maters, but when have you ever seen anything with anywhere close to this much tradition and emotion in Jack Trice?
Click to expand...

only when Army came to Jack and everyone met over in the visitors corner.
 
hawkclone11 said:
True that the song is kinda tacky and extremely stereotypical "Texas", I had the opportunity to actually go see a game in DKR last fall when Kansas played Texas (felt so great to cheer against KU:yes:). But when the seniors and the team came over to the stands to sing Eyes after the game, it was extremely moving and there were people almost crying around us...kinda like a religious experience for them.

I really feel if we can do something after the game where CPR brings the team over by the students and we sing Bells, we could pull something like that off...no way it's getting cut from pregame tho.
Click to expand...

I think you hit on something here. I think the start of the CPR era makes it the perfect time to adopt a tradition like this. I think the guy oozes love and respect for the institution, and something like this would go perfectly with the kind of attitude and tradition he is trying to build into this program. He loves this program and the school, and I don't think anybody could argue that after seeing the Nebraska video. Somehow it just seems more right for something like this with CPR at the helm than it would have with the Chiz.
 
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