I’m going to do what no Chicago sports fan should ever do—the great majority of us seem not to abide by this wisdom—and say I’m really hoping they win tomorrow. Beyond matters of vicarious athletic attainment and hometown pride, I hope they prevail for aesthetic reasons. In an anthem vs. anthem matchup, Chicago’s “Bear Down, Chicago Bears” must triumph over Green Bay’s polka-flavored, raccoon coat-evoking slop, “Go! You Packers! Go!” I submit lyrics and clips in support of my position, starting with “Bear Down”
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!
And here’s a representative performance of “Bear Down” :
Now, here’s the Green Bay hymn:
Hail, hail the gang’s all here to yell for you,
And keep you going in your winning ways,
Hail, hail the gang’s all here to tell you too,
That win or lose, we’ll always sing your praises Packers;
Go, you Packers, go and get ’em,
Go, you fighting fools upset ’em,
Smash their line with all your might,
A touchdown, Packers, Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight!
On, you Green and Gold, to glory,
Win this game the same old story,
Fight, you Packers,
Fight, and bring the bacon home to Old Green Bay.
And here’s a specimen rendition of the above:
Wow…that is very…strange.
You know, every time there’s a public performance of “Bear Down,” including when the fans sing it after a touchdown *and* their singing is carried on the game broadcast, the team earns royalties. Not sure what happens with the Lyric tenor’s YouTube performance.
Dan,
I have a buddy Mike Schwartz who ascribes to what I’ve named the “Schwartz Theory” that none of our actions have any bearing on the outcome of an NFL game. In my case, which jersey I wear or where I park will not alter whether the Philadelphia Eagles win or lose a game. However, I am certain he is wrong and that your post will guarantee a Green Bay victory. Maybe this will please your neighbors since Rodgers is a Cal guy. I am not sure how I feel about this since I dislike the Bears and Packets almost equally. In Philadelphia we sing “Fly Eagles Fly” which can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0-_Ed2WPUA
I’m sad to say your operatic rendition of “Bear Down” kinda crushes “Fly Eagles Fly. On the other hand, I can’t say I like the way “Bear Down” mixes the verb “bear” with the noun “bear”
Good Luck!
Invoking “Bear Down” may in fact be the key to Bears victory today. The only time these teams met in the playoffs–1941–was the first time the song was ever performed in the post-season. The Bears, aided by the tune, won 33-14.
I love the fact the lyrics mention actual football strategy, the T formation, in celebrating the team’s prowess (the song was written just after the Bears’ famous 73-0 championship victory over the Redskins).
It just amazes me these two old rivals have only played once in the postseason. I’m pulling for the Pack but only because I like Aaron Rodgers so much. I’ll switch to the Bears for the Super Bowl if they win because of my NFC loyalty. The Saints have several songs they play at various times during the game. “When The Saints Go Marching In” from Al Hirt’s days as part owner, U2 and Green Day’s rendition of “The Saints Are Coming” from the first post-Katrina game in the SuperDome, and the Ying Yang Twins’ “Stand Up and Get Crunk” from last year’s Super Bowl run. I’m partial to U2/Green Day and if Who Dat would just go away, I’d die happy.
Hey, Rob, I think the Saints are in a class by themselves when it comes to music. They’re a pretty good football team, too, as I recall. I like Rodgers, too–he’s really become a good quarterback and could be a great one. Cutler is as close to a real quarterback as the Bears have had since the 1960s–someone with all the tools, as defined in contemporary terms. But he has a long way to go and at least once a game will do something that seems just mind-blowingly dumb.