Welcome
to the Tuesday before one of the best weekends of the year!!! NCAA
Football begins this weekend! (insert your preferred noisemaker
here...) Today's feature song is one that is near and dear to many
folks all around the world. We featured this song in the email version
of Tuesday's Musical Notes on August 30, 2011. I had the great
opportunity for 4 years to play this song thousands of times with a
great group of folks (shout out to Razorback Bands 1982-1985!!!)...Now,
here's the best in Sight and Sound, Your University of Arkansas Marching
Razorback Band!!!
Razorback Marching Band Pre-Game 2010
Do you ever sing songs that were written in the early 1900s? Most Americans and many people around the world have enjoyed and enthusiastically sang songs from this time period, perhaps without even realizing these wonderful songs were 100 years or more old. Hymns like "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" - 1910, "In The Garden" and "Love Lifted Me" - 1912, and "The Old Rugged Cross" - 1913, have all become favorites for Christians around the world. This was the time of the 1st World War. Patriotism inspired George M. Cohan's "Over There". Songs we now consider classics like, "For Me and My Gal", and "Lil Liza Jane", came from this time period as well. But a song written in 1918 became a rallying cry for one of the oldest collegiate bands in the nation to support its sports teams.
University of Arkansas - Short Takes - "Fight Song Celebrates a Century"
Written in 1918, but not adopted as the official fight song until 1932, "Arkansas Fight" has become synonymous with not only the sports teams it represents, but with the entire state of Arkansas. It and "Calling the Hogs", which my children learned to do from a deacon in the nursery of our church, are a source of pride for people of our state. It is taught to all the members of Razorback Band and spirit squads as well as incoming freshmen in social clubs. Just under 100,000 people will venture to the Ozarks on Saturday to see the Razorbacks play and sing that song. Millions of dollars have been donated to the Razorback foundation so that the University can have the absolute best facilities and equipment for our favorite team.
Take a look at this clip to see the Arkansas fight song in a way that you may have never seen it before:
How About Some "Arkansas Fight" Classical Style?
While there are other great colleges in the state, the vast majority follow the Razorbacks. A former football head coach summed it up best when he said, "It's great to live in Arkansas. You can be a Tiger, or a Bear, or a Trojan, or a Red Wolf, but you can and usually are a Razorback as well."
"Arkansas Fight" really is a song of encouragement for the team. It has been known to raise the excitement level in both home football stadiums for Arkansas to a fevered pitch. Players and fans alike agree that upon hearing the fight song, a renewed energy level is stirred. In some ways, the lyrics even mirror some Biblical encouragements.
As you study the New Testament, you begin to see the influences of the Roman culture, especially in the writings of the apostle Paul. This time in history is credited with the beginnings of some of our modern day sporting events. Some of the "games" were meant as persecution for Christians, while others were true tests of physical endurance by competitors. Martyrdom awaited those Christians whose lives were lost for spreading the Gospel, while the accolades of man were heaped on the victors of the competitions. Paul's writings are influenced by the games as he specifically uses analogies from these sporting events in his writing to Roman influenced churches.
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Galatians 5:7
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?
In these passages, Paul is encouraging believers that while they may have a race that is uniquely their own to run, they are not by themselves. We are never alone. We have "such a great cloud of witnesses" that are cheering for us as we run our race. Or to put it another way......
Razorback Marching Band Pre-Game 2010
Do you ever sing songs that were written in the early 1900s? Most Americans and many people around the world have enjoyed and enthusiastically sang songs from this time period, perhaps without even realizing these wonderful songs were 100 years or more old. Hymns like "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" - 1910, "In The Garden" and "Love Lifted Me" - 1912, and "The Old Rugged Cross" - 1913, have all become favorites for Christians around the world. This was the time of the 1st World War. Patriotism inspired George M. Cohan's "Over There". Songs we now consider classics like, "For Me and My Gal", and "Lil Liza Jane", came from this time period as well. But a song written in 1918 became a rallying cry for one of the oldest collegiate bands in the nation to support its sports teams.
University of Arkansas - Short Takes - "Fight Song Celebrates a Century"
Written in 1918, but not adopted as the official fight song until 1932, "Arkansas Fight" has become synonymous with not only the sports teams it represents, but with the entire state of Arkansas. It and "Calling the Hogs", which my children learned to do from a deacon in the nursery of our church, are a source of pride for people of our state. It is taught to all the members of Razorback Band and spirit squads as well as incoming freshmen in social clubs. Just under 100,000 people will venture to the Ozarks on Saturday to see the Razorbacks play and sing that song. Millions of dollars have been donated to the Razorback foundation so that the University can have the absolute best facilities and equipment for our favorite team.
Take a look at this clip to see the Arkansas fight song in a way that you may have never seen it before:
How About Some "Arkansas Fight" Classical Style?
While there are other great colleges in the state, the vast majority follow the Razorbacks. A former football head coach summed it up best when he said, "It's great to live in Arkansas. You can be a Tiger, or a Bear, or a Trojan, or a Red Wolf, but you can and usually are a Razorback as well."
"Arkansas Fight" really is a song of encouragement for the team. It has been known to raise the excitement level in both home football stadiums for Arkansas to a fevered pitch. Players and fans alike agree that upon hearing the fight song, a renewed energy level is stirred. In some ways, the lyrics even mirror some Biblical encouragements.
As you study the New Testament, you begin to see the influences of the Roman culture, especially in the writings of the apostle Paul. This time in history is credited with the beginnings of some of our modern day sporting events. Some of the "games" were meant as persecution for Christians, while others were true tests of physical endurance by competitors. Martyrdom awaited those Christians whose lives were lost for spreading the Gospel, while the accolades of man were heaped on the victors of the competitions. Paul's writings are influenced by the games as he specifically uses analogies from these sporting events in his writing to Roman influenced churches.
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Galatians 2
1 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain
Galatians 5:7
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?
2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to
me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
In these passages, Paul is encouraging believers that while they may have a race that is uniquely their own to run, they are not by themselves. We are never alone. We have "such a great cloud of witnesses" that are cheering for us as we run our race. Or to put it another way......
ARKANSAS FIGHT
Hit that line! Hit that line!
Keep on going!
Take that ball right
down the field!
Give a cheer. Rah! Rah!
Never fear. Rah! Rah!
Arkansas will never yield!
On your toes, Razorbacks,
to the finish,
Carry on with all your might!
For it’s A-A-A-R-K-A-N-S-A-S
for Arkansas!
Fight! Fight! Fi-i-i-ight!
As an aside, I
recently went to see a movie about high school football. Every person
who is involved in this game, Professional to Pee Wee, Coach to
Cheerleader, Defensive lineman to Drum Major, should see this movie. It
hit theaters last weekend...
When The Game Stand Tall - Trailer
GO HOGS!!!
'Til Tuesday
Serving HIM by serving you,Randy
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