Folks, For those of you who did not attend the Screaming Eagles annual meeting earlier this evening (3/14/04), we had a request from the DCU Powers-That-Be (i.e. Misters Payne and Trask) for the DCU supporters clubs to come-up with some "clean" cheers whose words could be put on flyers to be handed-out on Opening Day by the newly-created corps of greeters (see thread on "Greeters") for the benefit of all those "newbies" who are expected to be in attendence on April 3rd. Notwithstanding the inevitable sarcastic tongue-in-cheekiness, it's a good idea, IMHO. According to Jan and Paul, this project has already been in the works for some time. Jan tells me that the words for "Vamos United" (among others) have been duly submitted to DCU. He tells me that more or new songs would be appreciated. Therefore, let the word go forth from this time and place: Any and all budding musical geniuses out there in the DCU Nation should concoct and submit to this thread (or to Jan or Paul directly) any clean, pro-DCU songs or chants that could be quickly taught to all RFK attendees via the method described above. Yours in futbol, Adler
OK, let me get the ball rolling (pun) on this one. I like the cheer that's done (or used to be done ?) by the throngs of giddy DCU supporters upon detraining at Stadium/Armory, to wit: "DC !" [clap, clap] "United !" [clap, clap] (repeat ad nauseum) When done spontaneously by hundreds, it would echo down the Metro station tunnel, sending chills down many a spine. Easy enough cheer to teach "newbies." I would also second the opinion of some DCU poster out there who suggested that Talon could actually be put to practical use as (gasp) a cheerleader who could coordinate and unify the cheers/chants of all supporters clubs (and fans in general) by holding-up signs for specific cheers. I can't imagine, though, what verbage/symbology would appear on a sign calling for the "Couldn't Score in a Brothel" cheer . . . . . Suggestions, anyone ?
We could modify one of the chants we use for individual players in the SE/Barra... We Love United, We Do We Love United, We Do We Love United, We Do OH United We Love You
I think the more important part of their request was that the chants be relatively simple. So while they will of course need to be rated PG, let's remember to make them easy to learn and pass along.
I think it's pretty cool United is doing this. You guys may not care, but i'll offer a few suggestions. 1. Use a little space on the sheet to briefly explain why you all sing/chant. Remember, these are people who are used to sitting the entire game, the same people who go to basketball games and chant "defense, defense, defense..." and that's all. 2. You all may want to state a couple different times on the clock to do certain cheers. This would prevent the day from being completely unsuccessful if the people on the other side of the stadium can't hear you starting cheers.
I think you're right about having a brief explanation of why we sing/chant. KP/SZ made it sound like they were working with RFK Stadium to get some of the chants on the jumbotron as well, which could help some of that cross-stadium coordination.
What about the plain "O-le, ole ole ole" etc. etc. chant? Most people in the stands will be at least vaugely aware that that's one of the things 'those soccer fans do.' They might get a kick out of chanting along once they realize that everybody's doing it and they won't get weird looks from all the parents and so forth around them. I really think that, when push comes to shove, people who finally cross the rubicon and decide to attend a soccer game--or ANY new experience--come expecting and HOPING to get the 'real thing,' just like they've heard about or seen on TV.
[To the tune of "George of the Jungle"] D-C, DC United Strong as we can be! AAAAAAHhh-AHHhhhhhhhhh Watch out for DC!
I also think it would be nice to have some "Battle" chants, where the Supporters chant one thing, and either hold up signs, or the big screen flashes the response to the regular fans. This way, the supporters would have the more difficult parts to remember, while the masses would have nice simple responses. If the masses won't join in, these could be done between the groups. Something like [Supporters] Who ya wanna be? [Everyone else] DC! [Supporters] Who ya come to see? [Everyone else] DC! - ( Half the people will probaby respond with "Freddy!" ) [Supporters] Champions indeed! [Everyone else] DC! [all together] United! United!
Good luck with this, I took my one year old to every game last year, along with a friend who did the same with his little girl, the wives work Sat evening. Anyway, not wanting to subject the little ones to V-Army songs(though I love having the Army at the games), we sat in a boring upper deck bottom row location where everyone looked at us funny if we did anything other than cheer on a goal (I guess I understand the confusion when we cheered "Bobby Convey" for every game unless DC United was actually there. Stupid inside joke). I've been hoping that something similar would happen at Crew stadium. Think it promotes a good atmosphere and can take away from that "boring" stigma from soccer games. What about "Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be We are DC Que sera, sera" (stolen from England, a song about promotion -We're going to Wembley)
I've always thought it would be cool to do something similar to Penn St's chant Loud side: D-C Quite side: UNI-TED [repeating crescendo]
Ignoring that PS sux, this is what I think they want, something that gets the crowd involved. If we called La Norte the organizers of the "quiet side" these types of chants could get RFK rocking. LA Norte is usualy big enough to be heard around the corner, if they can be bothered to stop jumping up and down for a second or two And of course, we'd never want to interrupt their berrating of an opposing goalie, but thinking the quiet folk will just naturally finish one is expecting too much. The mini-JumboTron will help, they are used to being told what and when to chant at hockey and BB games. Dave Kasper didn't think my "Metros" --- "Suck!" chant would work on the screen
I completely agree about the explanation for "why we chant/sing" and some "context." I've tried to make it a point to initiate a lot of newbies to the DCU/RFK experience. When we get there and I point out or explain the existance of the Barra Brava, SE's, La Norte their reaction is like they've been initiated into some secret society. Instead of feeling like they are just one of 25K individuals that all showed up at the same time (like a bunch of people at a bus or subway stop--only larger!), instead they feel some community and like they have some "in-knowledge" and they're not just there to see a soccer match. Instead, it becomes "in" and "kinda cool" in a way they didn't expect. I don't know if DCU would spring for the expense but I could envision a single sheet of paper. On one side are 2-4 simple, family-oriented chants. On the flip side is text. Explaining the supporters groups, how they behave at games (chanting, standing, bouncing in the stands, singing to the players--on both sides, and telling new fans some of the things they can look for--such as players running over to BB and SE after goals or at the end of the match or the La Norte toilet paper thing at the opposing keeper, etc.). BTW, I think there are some good solid nominees so far in this thread.
I'd like the idea of the Barra/SE side yelling "DEEE" and the quiet side yelling "CEEE"...but of course you'd need cheer leaders ala SJ does or the Caps have those roving t-shirt/cheer ppl to accomplish that one. However given the propensity of nobody ever getting one chant to work amongst the three supporters groups let alone the quiet side and the BB/SE being in synch I'd be happy if we can just get the DC Un-I-Ted chant to work. The problem is, although there are some good songs out of the SGs there are just too damn many of them and some have too many words, keep it simple and the others may learn or join in. eg. "Here we go...", "Defense", and "Charge" heard in other sports are very simple. Even more team specific chants like "Go! Pack Go!" are simple and repetitive.
from our Forest friends stolen from Nottingham Forest United 'til I die! United 'til I die! I know I am, I say I am United 'til I die! I think GreatScott has even made a banner with United Til I Die on it... This one is very easy to remember #1 Stunna
The O United is easy (like the Korea chant, tune has to be demonstrated) I also like the LN cheer United til I die (Farmer in the Dell tune) United til I die United til I die I know I am I'm sure I am United til I die K
Clean? Hah! Sod off, you tossers! "If I had the wings of an Eagle If I had the rear end of a crow I'd fly o'er San Jose tomorrow And poop on those poopy-heads below! Poop on, poop on, poop on those those poopy-heads below, below! Poop on, poop on, poop on those those poopy-heads below!"
I prefer to think of the alternating stadium cheer as the "Texas Fight" cheer from Austin. Thank You. This kind of thing would require an instigator on each side of the stadium (we don't have to call them cheerleaders), and maybe some kind of graphic on the jumbotron that flashes on the side your sitting. La Norte could direct it all from the point. Here's a rough animated gif with the announcement and two rounds of the stadium chant.
I believe when we did this on the bus (full of kids) we sang "defecate on those illigitimately born people below"