Quinnipiac on ESPN3

[KeithK]

I hear that the Tuba song changed because the old song--"Swanee River"--was objectionable, and less than politically correct.

What? Why?

[Dafatone]

I hear that the Tuba song changed because the old song--"Swanee River"--was objectionable, and less than politically correct.

What? Why?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Folks_at_Home

[KGR11]

I hear that the Tuba song changed because the old song--"Swanee River"--was objectionable, and less than politically correct.

What? Why?

Swanee River originated as a minstrel song.

Here's the wikipedia article about the song: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Folks_at_Home#Public_Sentiment

[upprdeck]

I thought it was the worst sounding band I ever heard from Cornell.  We were discussing it during the game.

it didnt help the student side was asleep.

I know it was a cowgirl just wondered why there wasnt one friday.

If you aren't going to do a song that actually sounds like a tuba song dont substitute with a song that sounds like a little ditty, just give it up.

[scoop85]

I thought it was the worst sounding band I ever heard from Cornell.  We were discussing it during the game.

it didnt help the student side was asleep.

I know it was a cowgirl just wondered why there wasnt one friday.

If you aren't going to do a song that actually sounds like a tuba song dont substitute with a song that sounds like a little ditty, just give it up.

Tough crowd

[Bahnstorm]

I hear that the Tuba song changed because the old song--"Swanee River"--was objectionable, and less than politically correct.

Oh FFS, let's be offended about a song while we yell at people to die and drop dead, what a joke. The new song sucks. That's an idiotic reason not to play Swanee. They seem to have no trouble with Gary Glitter, did they ever think maybe that is offensive to some people? Guess we need to have trigger warnings at the rink too now.

[Scersk '97]

I thought it was the worst sounding band I ever heard from Cornell.  We were discussing it during the game.

As a band alum, I am mortified by the lack of tuning. The trumpets, in particular, suck and do so loudly.

And it's taking conductors eons to start cheers. So many times, I hear a cutoff when the puck drops that would've been unnecessary if the band had started promptly.

[Dafatone]

I hear that the Tuba song changed because the old song--"Swanee River"--was objectionable, and less than politically correct.

Oh FFS, let's be offended about a song while we yell at people to die and drop dead, what a joke. The new song sucks. That's an idiotic reason not to play Swanee. They seem to have no trouble with Gary Glitter, did they ever think maybe that is offensive to some people? Guess we need to have trigger warnings at the rink too now.

Ultimately, shouldn't this be up to the band?

[andyw2100]

Ironically, the song they've chosen to use now, "Over There", I would think could also be seen as offensive by some. Below are the lyrics, copied from Google Play Music:


Johnnie, get your gun
Get your gun, get your gun
Take it on the run
On the run, on the run
Hear them calling, you and me
Every son of liberty
Hurry right away
No delay, go today
Make your daddy glad
To have had such a lad
Tell your sweetheart not to pine
To be proud her boy's in line

Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming
The Yanks are coming
The drums rum-tumming
Everywhere
So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there

Johnnie, get your gun
Get your gun, get your gun
Johnnie show the Hun
Who's a son of a gun
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Yankee Doodle do or die
Pack your little kit
Show your grit, do your bit
Yankee to the ranks
From the towns and the tanks
Make your mother proud of you
And the old Red, White and Blue

Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming
The Yanks are coming
The drums rum-tumming
Everywhere
So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there

[ugarte]

Ironically, the song they've chosen to use now, "Over There", I would think could also be seen as offensive by some.

Ah yes, the oft offended supporters of Kaiser Wilhelm.

[css228]

what was the deal with band?  what was the tuba song and why did it change?

what happened to the cow bell guy?

Not sure what you mean about the band.

I hear that the Tuba song changed because the old song--"Swanee River"--was objectionable, and less than politically correct.

I'm pretty sure the cowbell guy has been a cowbell gal the last few years. There was no cowbell Friday night, so I guess one of the drummers in the band attempted it on a drum. Saturday night the cowbell was back, though I couldn't see who was playing it from my seat near the D aisle of Section C.

As the cowbell guy in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, I can confirm that since the start of last season the cowbell guy has been a cowbell gal.

[Trotsky]

Over there was awful, but if there is truly a proclamation against Swanee, there must be 50,000 songs with the correct cadence and four breaks.

[LGR14]

Can't wait for the alumni at MSG to realize that the band has decided to forsake tradition in the name of political correctness.

[Bahnstorm]

It is particularly timely given that the cover story of the current Alumni Magazine issue is on the faithful and it specifically mentions Swanee as being a traditional fan cheer.

[Beeeej]

Can't wait for the alumni at MSG to realize that the band has decided to forsake tradition in the name of political correctness.

I think you're overestimating how much they'll care. The MSG games are rarely Lynah Writ Large™, so much as they are a couple hundred die-hard Lynah Faithful surrounded by thousands of people who know how to chant, "Let's Go Red" in a pinch.