It’s interesting how the various club songs say a fair bit about the clubs themselves. Carlton’s confidently announces itself to the world with the self-assuredness that only the nouveau-riche can possess.
Collingwood’s song harks back to a bygone era, long ago, a time when the premiership was indeed a cakewalk and the shoe factory workers had something to cheer about.
Essendon’s is full of the eternal optimism to be found amongst the manicured lawns and rose beds of Methodist Moonee Ponds.
Geelong’s carries the usual operatic theme of independence and autonomy.
Melbourne’s is straight out of the parade ground where vice-regals and the landed gentry stand alongside the officer class.
Hawthorn’s smacks of the sort of contentment and satisfaction that comes from being a well-paid professional living in the Eastern suburbs.
North’s comes straight to us from the picket lines of the old abattoirs, where workers once stood united demanding better working conditions.
Footscray’s carries a similar theme, more of the painters and dockers persuasion; the original words loudly proclaimed the fact that they were just as likely to lose as they were to win.
But the Sainters have the best fit of all.
Their jazzy blues-gospel number fits St Kilda like a glove, as if it’s come walking straight off the pier into one of the side alleys, home to vagabonds, penniless artistes, writers, philosophers, hopeless romantics and assorted castaways and fringe dwellers of modern society.
Is is a song of hope, of one day being delivered the ultimate prize.
Alas, this is St Kilda, one premiership since the founding of the Victorian colony; but around 25 wooden spoons to go with it, far too many for anyone to know with any accuracy.
A bit like one of those junior footy games where one team completely outclasses the opposition to such an extent that the goal umpires have trouble keeping an accurate tally.
But there is one thing I do know for sure, just as we are reminded by that gospel tune – it may pray for them, dream about them, but in reality St Kilda does not win premierships.
Recommend this story.
- Explore:
- AFL, Carlton Blues, St Kilda Saints
July 27th 2009 @ 10:13am
Mattay said | July 27th 2009 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Never knew it was only the Victorian teams that had club songs. But then again, I think most of them are embarrassing, so your welcome to claim sole ownership if you want.
July 27th 2009 @ 10:20am
Pippinu said | July 27th 2009 @ 10:20am | Report comment
The consensus amongst dyed in the wool aussie rules fans is that we love our club songs, the daggier the better, replete with banjos and trombones.
There’s no doubting that the older broadway, opera and marching tunes are far more singable than anything created in the modern age (thus all the club songs of the new clubs, without exception, are absolutely dreadful).
Anachronistic, maybe – but bloody great!!
I love all the Victorian clubs songs – without exception (even if I absolutely hate the clubs themselves).
July 27th 2009 @ 10:40am
Michael C said | July 27th 2009 @ 10:40am | Report comment
LAS -
yeah, they are.
it all helps make it a bit of a unique culture.
Is it better or worse than cheer leaders, fire works, walking out side by side??? Dunno. But, it IS part of the look and feel……alas, once upon a time, so too was a reserves game before the seniors.
July 27th 2009 @ 10:52am
LK said | July 27th 2009 @ 10:52am | Report comment
What does the Dockers song say about them? I haven’t heard it much this year but it is a real stinker.
July 27th 2009 @ 11:01am
Redb said | July 27th 2009 @ 11:01am | Report comment
Eamonn, Pip,
They’re not songs to be sung during a game – they are victory songs.
The Link,
No change between club songs in the rooms or out on the field – same song. Most AFL telecast will feature the club song sung by the players at the end of the game.
LAS,
The songs are not modern but neither are most of the clubs with histories going back 100+ years. The songs seem to come from the 40s to 60s era. I love hearing my clubs song after a great victory and hate hearing the oppositions after a game – like a dagger in your heart.
To me the represent they overwhelming joy of victory or in contrast the pain of defeat and ultimate humiliation.
Farkin’ hate Carlton’s navy blue dirge.
Redb
July 27th 2009 @ 11:09am
Pippinu said | July 27th 2009 @ 11:09am | Report comment
LK
I think you’ve answered your own question in 13 words or less!!
July 27th 2009 @ 11:22am
Redb said | July 27th 2009 @ 11:22am | Report comment
The traditions of VFL/AFL clubs including the club song, banners,etc are what make the AFL by far the best attended sporting competition in Australia.
Almost 600,000 club members and the 360,000 people who went to AFL games last weekend understand that. The AFL’s club culture including the victory song bind the fabric of club support.
Redb
July 27th 2009 @ 11:28am
Richard said | July 27th 2009 @ 11:28am | Report comment
I was at the Carlton Collingwood game on Friday night. Unfortunately I was surrounded by Carlton supporters. They didn’t look like nouveau-riche to me. Ugly bunch.
July 27th 2009 @ 11:31am
Pippinu said | July 27th 2009 @ 11:31am | Report comment
Redb
very true – they are victory songs first and foremost.
I can recall one of the first games I ever attended (at the Western Oval) as a 10 year old in 1973, we defeated Carlton at home towards the end of the season – we had a bit of a habit of defeating top teams towards the end of the season back then.
In those days, anyone could walk into the the club rooms, so me an me mates did that with about 1,000 other people (or so it seemed), and the whole crowd sung the club song about ten times.
I relate that story mainly because we all know the cameras following the team into the rooms after the match is a relatively new phenomenon, but the singing of the song goes back decades.
However – picture this – St Kilda are in the GF, ten minutes to go, about 8 goals in front of Collingwood – you don’t reckon St KIlda supporters wouldn’t be feeling the urge to kick start Oh When the Saints????
I would – if I were in their shoes!!!
July 27th 2009 @ 11:32am
Pippinu said | July 27th 2009 @ 11:32am | Report comment
…hell – if we’re about to win our 2nd ever premiership, and first one in 43 seasons – I’d even be tempted to sing Good ol’ Collingwood at that point!!!!
I’d be so delirious – I wouldn’t care what the hell I was doing!!!