Glory, Glory Colorado

"... 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.

Let's start at the top. While most other schools only have one "fight" or "school" song, "Glory, Glory Colorado" is one of three (yes, 3) songs traditionally played by the Golden Buffalo Marching Band at CU Athletics' events. These three songs combine to form what the band calls the 'Fight Sequence,' and are played in a specific order at almost every performance the band participates in.  Each of them has a special role in the band's traditional performance at football games.  

What's important here is that the order is intentional; everything the band does with school songs is intended to convey something.

In brief:

1) Glory, Glory Colorado, aka "Glory"

What is it? - A simple tune comprising four lines, repeated twice. "Glory, Glory Colorado!" x3, "Hurrah for the Silver and the Gold!" once, then repeat. It is set to the tune of the 'Battle Hymn of the Republic.' This is the school's oldest, traditionally played 'fight song.' This was once a longer tune, but, over the years, was cut down to just these four lines.  Oral tradition within the band would say those four lines are meant to represent the four campuses of the state's flagship university system, but you can take that with a grain of salt. 

When is it played? - First, always first.  It is played before any other song, and *especially* before "Fight CU".  Outside of the sequence, the band plays "Glory" while 'Rotating the Buffalo' during pregame, during Ralphie's runs at each half, (usually) for first downs, and, yes, for touchdowns.  Every touchdown. 

As far as we know, it had been played for each and every one of Ralphie's runs at Folsom, until this year at the football coach's request.  That tradition was so old, that the buffalo was still called "Ralph" when it started.  It had been played for all touchdowns since at least the 1970s, possibly even as far back as the 60s.

Why is it played? - To honor the University of Colorado.  The tune was first played at a University event in 1885.  This is more than 20 years before the GBMB was formed, and even predates the football program by about a decade. A band from then-Fort D.A. Russell in Wyoming had been brought down for a function at the school. The BHotR was the "Not Like Us" of its day and was particularly popular with the number of Civil War veterans scattered across the county and even the state. They played the song, and the performance was so popular that it's been associated with school events ever since.

An undated copy of "Glory" from a vintage early 20th Century CU songbook. This shows the original lyrics. From: Ray Schultz

It is the band's first-ever performed song, that we know of, and was first played in 1906.  However, it wasn't until 1908 that the full band was able to make it a gridiron staple -- they first performed it at that year's tilt with Colorado A&M (you would know them today as CSU).  It has since been played at every football game that the band has appeared at.  There have been few changes to the arrangement since then, primarily reducing the number of verses played (original lyrics included "Colorado Varsity comes marching on the field... Colorado's bound to win!").

In pregame, this song is played for the school. Yes, it's old, but it's meant to be old.  It's played first because the school comes first. It's played when Ralphie and the football team enter the field because the school is entering the field, not just Athletics.  

2) Go Colorado, aka "Go"

What? - It's a glee tune, a style popular in the mid-20th Century.  The music and lyrics are more complicated than "Glory", and somehow feel more dated to my ears, even though it's at least 70 years younger.

This is a song you wouldn't recognize, let alone know the words of, unless you have some connection to the band. In the 1950s, it was written specifically for the band, and they've maintained its presence in performances since then in recognition of that gift.  It was popular at the time, particularly with the glee clubs of the era, but less so now.  Only the real-real know the words.  Think of it as a band member shibboleth.

When? - Outside of sequence or pregame, this song is played... hardly ever.  Maybe when the drum majors are bored?  It's the band's song; they play it when they feel like it, but most in the organization realize the regular fans don't get it.  

Why? - In pregame, this song is played for the band -- hey, we get one for ourselves! -- and for the Boulder campus itself. Realistically, however, this one is not required reading. 

In 1982, the football program was down bad, thanks to Chuck Fairbanks.  As no games were being televised, they asked the band to lengthen pregame.  As part of that effort, "Go" was added to the sets and "sequence," and has stuck ever since.  So, if you don't like this one, blame ol' blue uni's Chuck.

3) Fight CU, aka "Fight"

What? - The most popular of the three "fight" songs.  It's a rousing, bombastic march tune, written in a classically collegiate style.  This one is actually (*ahem*) borrowed from a similar song from Culver Academy in Indiana ("Fight Culver down the field..."), adapted for CU's purposes in the interwar period of the 20th Century.  Athletics found they liked it, and adopted it as their song almost immediately.  The band quickly took it up in support.

You know this song.  Hell, you probably actually know the lyrics of this song.  It's the one you first mumbled while drunk and staring at the shirt of the co-ed in front of you in the stands.  You even get to swear at the end, if you're a fan of a certain vintage!

When? - Outside of pregame, the band plays this after made kicks, either PAT or FG, and whenever something big happens... or when the crowd needs a pick-me-up.  There's a version where the song is played three times through, with the tubas featuring the 2nd time through -- I always liked that one, and you can hear it in the Field House before games.  The band also used to play this with the football team after home wins, but that tradition seems to... have been dropped in recent years.  Hey, it's your song, do with it what you want.

Why? - In pregame, the band plays this one to honor Athletics.  It's their song, after all.  More to the point, it's the football program's song.  The original lyrics encourage the team to "fight, fight for every yard".  This was later changed to "... victory" during the WWII era, apparently an effort to be more inclusive and to push everyone on the homefront towards the goal of ultimate capital-V Victory.  The change helped push the song beyond the boundaries of Folsom, to sporting events across campus.  It's remained popular ever since.

A one-year assistant professor, named Richard Durnett, brought the tune over from Culver in the fall of 1925.  It was adapted and first sung at an alumni event in November of that year.  The band first played it at the game the following weekend and has continued to ever since.

For your reference, other school songs the band keeps in tradition:

Dear Old CU, aka "the Alma Mater"

What? - This is the Alma Mater.  It's a choral hymn, written in the style first popularized in English schools centuries ago.  Pretty much all universities and colleges have one, and this one is ours.  Should you know the words to it?  If you went to school at CU, I would argue yes, but I get it -- memorizing lyrics is hard.  Standing, swaying, then waving at the end is enough for me, but you do you.  Just don't talk over it!

When? - It's played at the opening and closing of all football games and is often the last song played at a performance.  For band members, they don't earn the right to wear a hat for the AM until they march their last game. Emphasis: earned.

Why? - From the Latin for 'nourishing mother', the phrase 'alma mater' is used to denote the school you matriculated from.  The song style is intended to honor where you went to school and is meant to symbolize its importance in your educational development. The band plays ours for the school but, more specifically, it's played for the graduates.

The song was first written by the great Hugh McMillen in 1937, slightly re-drafted the year later.  The version the band plays today is more or less unchanged from that time.

Rejoice Colorado, aka "Rejoice"

What - It's a more recent take on "Glory", set to a ragtime beat. There are no lyrics.  It's celebratory!

When - The band plays this one after wins, and *only* after wins.  If CU has won a game that the band is performing at, it's the last song played before packing up. 

Why - This is more of a "you're supposed to be out of the stadium already, why are you still here?" kind of song.  Take it as more of a gentle reminder that you should be trying to find your way back to the beers you left at the car to celebrate.

--

So, what the hell happened?

On the day of the NDSU game, I received a call from a reliable source within the band's structure.  They wanted to warn me that Athletics was forcing changes in the band's performance.  They wanted to make sure I knew where the changes were coming from, and that it was *not* from the band.

Specifically, paraphrased in order of how it was presented to me, with a rough approximation of my in-the-moment thoughts:

• Coach Prime wanted the band to learn a new song for each home game.  Like the selection of the Ying Yang Twins' classic "Halftime" last year, the request was for the band to learn and perform six new theme tunes, to be selected later.

This is no big deal, though it was unclear if Athletics was willing to pony up the ~$40k ~$4k it would take to get the rights for the music.  Eventually, I was told, this request was dropped, and everything reverted to "Halftime."  Fair enough.

• Instead of "Glory, Glory Colorado", Coach Prime would like "Halftime" played with Ralphie's run, and "Halftime" only. Both halves.

OK, to me, this is fricking weird. Last season, the band was asked/offered to play "Halftime" after "Glory" for the runs. Sure, whatever. The GBMB used to play "Crazy Train" or other cheers after "Glory," so who cares what gets played after the school song? 

But, instead of the school song?

The team played around with not running behind the Buffalo last season, maybe this was their way of trying to compromise with Athletics?  "Sure, we'll come out behind the buffalo, but it'll be *my* song that's being played."  A little bit of musical whitewash, if you will.  'Get rid of this Colorado crap, it's Prime Time', or whatever.  That earned a full-on eye roll from me.  Symbolism, and not in a style that I'm keen to take to.

• The band has been told to not play "Glory" after touchdowns scored that involved Shedeur Sanders in any way (pass, run, catch).  Instead, the PA will play his song, "Perfect Timing."

*sigh* I can mayyyybe be convinced on something here.  He was a theoretical Heisman candidate, after all.  Maybe give the band the sheet music, assuming it can be arranged into something on a page?  I bet you the band would try to play it -- that'd make kind of a nice inclusive moment, wouldn't it?

That said, this seems like a self-centered request, setting the quarterback apart from everyone else on the roster.  So, the runningbacks don't count?  ... well, having seen the offensive scheme this season...

• The band has been told not to play "Fight" after any made field goals involving Alejandro Mata, so that "some song he likes" can be played over the PA.

This one irked me a lot, a lot more than the request for "Perfect Timing." Shedeur getting special treatment, I can be talked into. Star QB, coach's son, etc. I think it's dumb, but I'm neither his coach nor his teammate.  Hell, he and Shilo got to ditch practice and run off to a European fashion show this summer, why not play their own music for them, too?  Anyway, having watched CU football for the last two decades, I'm used to the coach's kid getting special rules.

But, Mata?  The kid who can barely make a 40-yrd field goal at altitude?  The kid wearing frickin' Mason Crosby's number while boasting 1/10th of his talent? Thie kid who wouldn't start for a single other FBS school around the country?  That kid gets a special song?  Athletics wants to can "Fight" for him?  That's the song people like! What the hell are we doing here?

• Finally, not only the band, but members of gameday events and planning staff told Athletics that these changes were a bad idea.  Athletics understood that there would be pushback from several areas, but wanted to push forward with them anyway.  Athletics Leadership said that they would take the heat.

I know that Athletics has tried to spin around this, saying that the requests "slipped through the cracks," or whatever, but they expected backlash. They prepared for it. They also expected to be able to push through it.  If the wins eventually come, they probably will.

Anyways... The day of the game, I tweeted out that I had heard some traditions were being changed, and that I found that to be unfortunate.  I didn't want to specify them at the time, hoping that something could be changed in the few hours before kickoff. I didn't want to unnecessarily feed the clown show that follows this program (though I am happy to feed it when it suits my fancy, like anyone on the planet). That was not the case, and my fears were confirmed when Ralphie entered the field to "Halftime" and not "Glory" for the first time in the history of the program.  The other changes were confirmed later.

At half, the band returned to playing "Glory" for Ralphie's 2nd run.  I was told this was explicitly allowed by gameday staff, and not a musical rebellion. Apparently, the hope was the team would still be in the locker room, or would otherwise not notice. So, we got a little school pride back, as a treat.

Then, the football team looked like bums in Lincoln, particularly on the side of the ball with the special music requests.  These requested changes to decades of tradition then made for easy fodder for the sports media beast -- the narratives are wayyyy too easy to craft -- and there you have it.  Now ESPN, CBS Sports, and SI are all trying to dig into the 'why' of "Glory."

--

So, why does it matter?

No, not everything is sacred.  Not every tradition needs to be preserved in a glass case.  Tear down the statues, believe me. Just four years ago, the band changed their arrangement of 'Fight CU' to alter something in the sheet music that had been in place for decades.  Mellophones in the band had long leaned into the 'Dixie Lick' after the first line, a string of that tired old rag of a tune that had been originally inserted to boost for a potential trip to the Cotton Bowl.  Times change, and so out the door goes the lick.  With good reason, too -- I've said previously it never made much sense to me why a school with the BHotR as its school song, and with a footprint well outside the walls of the Old South, would invite that stain.  It was tradition, and now it isn't.  Good riddance.

Another example, and one closer to my heart: the Tuba Cheer at basketball games.  For decades, the section would run out onto the court, put on a little show by spinning around at mid-court and playing a little ditty, and then retreat back to the stands.  In my day, it was always the U8 timeout of the 2nd half.  Some fans liked it, others hated it.  I would argue that it was one of the few things that separated a Colorado Basketball gameday from... any other gameday around the country.  But, after Covid, Athletics was looking at how to improve gameday. The Cheer's presence on the call sheet was called into question, and Tad Boyle himself (apparently) cast the deciding vote to axe it, so away it went.  I would dispute the logic, but I can at least understand why it went out the door.

But, this isn't a strain of a racist Song of the South. This isn't the tubas bumbling around a basketball court for 90 seconds. "Glory" is a song nearly as old as the school itself, and is symbolic of the time and place that the University and State emerged from. It's been played at football games since before the foundation of the stadium was even laid. A constant presence in the passage of time at the Foot of the Flatirons. If there's anything that nods in the direction of symbolizing the school as a whole, it's that.  To shed that should only be in the pursuit of improving the function, not the form.

Of course, this is not the first time that Athletics has tried to mess with "Glory."  Back in 1948, they wanted the band to get rid of it altogether, and to only play "Fight."  The School of Music (notably, not the band) told Athletics to go to hell.  The song predates the football program, it predates the band.  It's for the school, and the school comes first.  The School of Music won that fight in '48, and "Glory" has maintained seniority ever since. 

The fight over fight songs was then, as it is today, symbolic. To try and paint over "Glory," to try and put an individual ahead of the school, is, plainly, bullshit.  Playing "Halftime," or whatever other song Prime fancies, ahead of "Glory," is intentional.  It's saying, "I am more important than the University of Colorado."  In your eyes, he may be.  But that's not the message the school should be sending.

By all means, change what you will with the on-field product. I accept and welcome changes to any number of aspects of Colorado gamedays, final scores first and foremost. Have 'Lil Wayne come out with the team after Ralphie runs.  Dress the players however the hell you want.  Have Shedeur carried onto the field by a cadre of eunuchs for all I care.  But, the school should enter the field to the school song, whatever that may be. "Glory" is ours, so "Glory" it is.

I don't expect tourists from Florida or Texas to understand -- this school doesn't mean anything to them.  Hell, any number of locals and alumni don't understand or appreciate any of this, either.  What I do ask is that *some* shreds of Colorado's identity be maintained throughout this process.

And for those in the CU fanbase who would say, "Who cares about a song, we just want to win!" well, I can empathize with that, believe me, I can.  But, we haven't been winning, by any definition.  We want to win, we hope we can win, but failing to match Karl Dorrell's record to start a tenure in Boulder is hardly anything I'd rip up the carpet over. 

More to the point, someday this ride will come to an end.  Whether in victory or defeat, or somewhere in between, when Coach Sanders strikes the circus tents and bolts, either in one, five, or twenty years, he's taking that circus with him. I can't help but wonder what, if anything, will be left of Colorado Athletics at that point.  Hell, by then it may truly not matter what song is played after touchdowns, because there won't be any.

--

I want to leave everyone with this.  You can say a lot about band kids.  You can call us nerds, geeks, dweebs, or dorks.  We've heard it all.  You can make jokes about "... this one time, at band camp," and I guarantee you my real stories are better.  You can deride us as the auxiliaries; the sideshow.  You can take our opinions and chuck 'em in the bin.

The one thing you *cannot* say about band kids is that they don't care.  We *do* care.  We care a whole hell of a lot, probably too much.  Probably more than most.  We wouldn't spend hour, after hour, after hour hauling these instruments around, memorizing music that no one really wants to listen to, and in some cases injuring ourselves in the process (and pay for the privilege), all to sit through losing season after losing season, if we didn't care.  The band kids, and the alums they turn into, are some of the most passionate, diehard, dead-ass serious Buffs you will ever meet.

So, maybe, just maybe, when it comes to what it means to be a Buff, when it comes to what the basic essentials to a gameday in Folson are, give their voice just a bit of credence.