"... some so subtle you might not have even noticed... but your brain did." -- Mr Plinkett.
Memory is a funny thing. We exist in a world of five senses, so our memories do, too. A brief smell can unearth a childhood memory of a camping trip. The taste of a favorite dessert can take you back to grandma's kitchen. A flash of color can help recall that weird shirt you wore on your first date (you moron). A touch of your mother's hand can remind you of the value of family. We value the practical because it grounds us in reality; it sets the terms of how we interact with the world.
Sound is just as important. What we hear, even if unintentionally consumed, becomes entwined with our sense of place. Any filmmaker worth their salt will talk about how the audio, the backing music, can almost do as much for a scene as perfect cinematography or the sharpest script.
And so, you may not have noticed "Glory, Glory Colorado" before, but your brain has.
Seriously, close your eyes. Think back to your first football game. What do you hear?
Every time Ralphie runs, the Black and Gold faithful have heard the tune. With every plunge into the endzone, Buff fans of all ilks and creeds, regardless of the current football coach, have celebrated to that tune. Time's good, time's bad, the song is played. It's been played at the Cotton Bowl, the Orange Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl, even the damn Blockbuster Bowl. It punctuated all 6 of Chris Brown's scores in 2001 against Nebraska. It rang out when the Buffs claimed #1 in Miami.
As with all things, a song is only as important as the things it represents. Lyrics, music, et al. To me, "Glory, Glory Colorado" represents Boulder. It represents Folsom Field. It represents fall Saturdays in the greatest venue in all of sports. And it represents something impermeable to the ravages of time -- the undying version of my 20-year-old self that still exists somewhere out there in the ether.
Your mileage may vary. You may not have any active concept of that song, what it means, when it's played, or why it's important. Regardless of your opinion or preconceived notions, all of this has been called into question, recently. First by the football coach, then the fanbase at large, then the national media. It's all led many to ask questions. What is "Glory, Glory Colorado?" Why is there such a kerfuffle over when and if it is played at football games? Why should I care?
Well, you came to the right place. I have some answers.
Today, I'll try to add some missing context to this discussion. I'll talk about the University of Colorado's school songs (plural), when they're played, and the meaning and history behind each of them. I'll talk about what exactly the marching band was told they could play, and what they were told they couldn't ahead of the season opener. Then I'll talk about why I believe this discussion is important.
Some of this is researched history, thankfully researched by others. Walt Blankenship, in particular, has spent countless hours and his own money to research the hows and whys of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band, and the history of the school songs they play. I had the opportunity to speak with him last night on his findings (any errors in passing along his information are my own). Some of this is oral tradition, passed down by Walt and others. Some of this is hearsay, especially the part about what went down before the NDSU game, which can easily be ignored. And some of this is a personal experience, respectfully earned. As such, my history professors would blanche at the fluctuating level of research and lack of sourcing herein. So, take this as more of an opinion piece than any true tract of history.
I'm also diving headlong into some minutiae here. If you want a TLDR, you've come to the wrong place. Others, better equipped to be concise and pithy, may be more your speed.
In the end, I'm not trying to speak for Buff fans everywhere, for the band, or for anyone else. I'm only, as ever, trying to speak for me, myself, and I.
Enter at your own risk.
