Fight Songs

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From the NEWS section: Fight Songs

In anticipation of yesterday’s Liverpool F.C. – Real Madrid Champion’s League match, Jim Trainor and I briefly discussed the song You’ll Never Walk Alone. Thousands of Liverpool fans sing the song in unison before every match.

As fans, we sing fight songs at all types of sporting events. We sing them to encourage competitive play. We sing them to show support for the team we’re rooting for. And of course, we sing them to celebrate victory.

And that got me thinking about the fight songs I grew up with. Songs like Bear Down, Chicago Bears, and Here Come the Hawks! and Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel.”

The fight song of the National Football League’s Chicago Bears is called Bear Down Chicago Bears:

Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play, clear the way to victory;
Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.
We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you're wearing the crown.
You're the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.

Here’s the song sung by Lyric Opera's Bryan Griffin:



The fight song of the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks is called Here Come the Hawks!:

Here come the Hawks, the mighty Blackhawks;
Take the attack, yeah, and we'll back you Blackhawks.
You're flyin' high now, so let's wrap it up.
Let's go you Hawks, move off.
Now all look out, here come the Hawks.

Here they come movin', weavin', flyin' high and throwin' spray;
Blades flashin' sticks crashin' tryin' for the play.
And the Blackhawks, take control,
There's a shot, AND A GOAL!
Here come the Hawks.

And, the fight song of Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs is called Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel:

Hey hey, holy mackerel
No doubt about it,
The Cubs are on their way!
The Cubs are gonna hit today;
They're gonna pitch today;
They're gonna field today;
Come what may.

The Cubs are gonna win today!
They've got the hustle;
They've got the muscle;
The Chicago Cubs are on their way!!!

Fight songs are usually more about motivation, enthusiasm and support than they are about fighting.

That’s especially true of the “fight” song You’ll Never Walk Alone. Just check out the words:

When you walk through a storm hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone!

There’s not much fighting happening there.

Just imagine the inspiration felt when hearing tens of thousands of Liverpool fans singing You’ll Never Walk Alone at the top of their lungs.
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Vocabulary:

To root for. Apoyar, alentar

To bear down. Intentarlo con todas las fuerzas

To sing at the top of one’s lungs. Cantar a grito pelado

Published by: Drew Crosby