The other day the Snook asked me if I’d seen any of the commercials advertising the upcoming Sydney vs. Collingwood Aussie Rules match. I said I hadn’t and asked why. “Because,” he said, “they stole your victory march!” Tonight I saw the ad myself and was able to confirm that the Sydney Swans’ anthem is indeed the Notre Dame Victory March. They’ve only changed three and a half lines!
brigita
August 21, 2003 — 12:49 am
that’s pretty weak. it’s funny how often the fight song pops up in popular culture.
of course i can’t cite any examples right now, you’ll just have to take my word for it. 😉
Kris
August 21, 2003 — 5:13 pm
I know a lot of Catholic high schools and such use it, but I just thought it was weird that a completely unaffiliated team in a different sport on the other side of the world would adopt it as their own. 🙂
Mr Wong
August 22, 2003 — 8:57 pm
Well, Aussie Rules club songs (or the tunes they’re based on) in the AFL have always been kind of an odd (and dated) grab-bag – Boer War-era marching songs, songs borrowed from operas (“The Toreador Song” from Bizet’s “Carmen”), other people’s anthems or jingoistic ditties (“La Marseillaise”, “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy”, “The Marines’ Hymn”), etc. So the Swans aren’t alone in retooling a tune better known for other, older associations – even though, as you say, their lyricist didn’t exactly overexert himself coming up with alternate lyrics.
Kris
August 23, 2003 — 10:37 am
Thanks for the great and informative comment, Mr. Wong! I’m definitely going to have to pay more attention to AFL music…