'Stand up and Fight'

bridgetown1

From the opera Carmen by Bizet (The Toreadors Song) to Carmen Jones by Oscar Hammerstein ( I think!) to the terraces of Thomond Park and Musgrave Park.

But how? does anybody know how the song came to be associated with Munster Rugby?

Thanks!:)

razorblunt

Brian O'Brien heard it, liked the lyrics and advised the team to listen to it. Word spread to the fans and they picked it up.

bridgetown1

Who is/was Brian O'Brian?

razorblunt

bridgetown1 wrote: »

Who is/was Brian O'Brian?

One time manager of Munster.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054920178

It's well explained in the above link.

Iang87

anyone else really dislike this no, just me

thomond2006

I'm not gone on it anymore, no.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Don't like it myself either

who_me

I don't think it's a great song for the fans. Most of the best fan 'anthems' are simple, repetitive songs with easy-to-remember lyrics. SUAF isn't one of those. The fact that you have a (more male than female) crowd singing along to a soprano doesn't help either.

Hyperbullet

I don't see the problem with the song, gets the crowd going before the match starts. Least we've stopped playing Green Day before they run out on the field.

Iang87

i see it as part of this fake atmosphere they're using a lot these days

Riskymove

Hyperbullet wrote: »

I don't see the problem with the song, gets the crowd going before the match starts. Least we've stopped playing Green Day before they run out on the field.

I think as a club song sung by choir etc before the game its fine

I really dont see it as something fans will sing much in the game

endacl

Any song ever written that's not Ireland's Poxy Call is ok with me.

:pac:

Hyperbullet

Riskymove wrote: »

I think as a club song sung by choir etc before the game its fine

I really dont see it as something fans will sing much in the game

It's not sung in the stands/terraces though is it? Only one I've heard at every game is The Fields.

justsomebloke

endacl wrote: »

Any song ever written that's not Ireland's Poxy Call is ok with me.

:pac:

Please Read the charter

awec

As an outsider I think it's woeful. It doesn't really get you excited - which I think is what they aim for when they play it pre kick off.

Foxtrol

Like most pre-match stuff to try to force atmosphere I find it quite cringey.

Riskymove

Hyperbullet wrote: »

It's not sung in the stands/terraces though is it?

its been attempted

thomond2006

Foxtrol wrote: »

Like most pre-match stuff to try to force atmosphere I find it quite cringey.

They do it the right way in Toulon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdpLqpjgp4w

who_me

awec wrote: »

As an outsider I think it's woeful. It doesn't really get you excited - which I think is what they aim for when they play it pre kick off.

Always found that a bit funny - while I love the singing at Irish rugby grounds, most of what we sing are fairly depressing dirges. Compare and contrast with 20-30K Clermont fans bouncing around the terraces in unison.

"Different strokes..." and all that, but it would be nice to have something a bit livelier and/or more cheerful.

locum-motion

who_me wrote: »

... The fact that you have a (more male than female) crowd singing along to a soprano doesn't help either.

Both the original "Toreador Song" from Carmen by Bizet, and the updated "Stan' up and Fight" from Carmen Jones (lyrics by Hammerstein) were sung by male parts.

"Toreador Song" was sung in Carmen by the bullfighter Escamillo, while "Stan' up and Fight" was sung by the boxer Husky Miller in Carmen Jones.

So, which soprano are you talking about?

CatFromHue

who_me wrote: »

Always found that a bit funny - while I love the singing at Irish rugby grounds, most of what we sing are fairly depressing dirges. Compare and contrast with 20-30K Clermont fans bouncing around the terraces in unison.

"Different strokes..." and all that, but it would be nice to have something a bit livelier and/or more cheerful.

Good idea for a catchy song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0CYJNw9YJQ

who_me

locum-motion wrote: »

Both the original "Toreador Song" from Carmen by Bizet, and the updated "Stan' up and Fight" from Carmen Jones (lyrics by Hammerstein) were sung by male parts.

"Toreador Song" was sung in Carmen by the bullfighter Escamillo, while "Stan' up and Fight" was sung by the boxer Husky Miller in Carmen Jones.

So, which soprano are you talking about?

Cara O'Sullivan, a soprano that regularly leads the song before Munster games. It's been 30 years since I could hit the key in which she sings!

locum-motion

who_me wrote: »

Cara O'Sullivan, a soprano that regularly leads the song before Munster games. It's been 30 years since I could hit the key in which she sings!

Well, then, that's just wrong...

(I don't mean you're wrong. I mean it's wrong that they get a soprano to sing it!)

who_me

CatFromHue wrote: »

Good idea for a catchy song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0CYJNw9YJQ

"Everybody's got a special kind of story
Everybody finds a way to shine,
It don't matter that you got not alot
So what,
They'll have theirs, and you'll have yours, and I'll have mine.
And together we'll be fine...."

Sounds like perfect song for one of those days when your team is being absolutely tonked*.

(* Leinster fans may have to check the ancient archives...)

awec

who_me wrote: »

Cara O'Sullivan, a soprano that regularly leads the song before Munster games. It's been 30 years since I could hit the key in which she sings!

A good tight pair of y fronts will get you half way there.

leakyboots

I like the song, can't stand The Fields.

who_me

awec wrote: »

A good tight pair of y fronts will get you half way there.

The thongs I do for my province..

Benny Cake

leakyboots wrote: »

I like the song, can't stand The Fields.

Stand up and fight works for the same reason the fields does, neither of them are associated with any of the counties in munster. You'll never hear Sean south, the banks or there is an isle in thomond park...

BBDBB

who_me wrote: »

Cara O'Sullivan, a soprano that regularly leads the song before Munster games. It's been 30 years since I could hit the key in which she sings!

awec wrote: »

A good tight pair of y fronts will get you half way there.

who_me wrote: »

The thongs I do for my province..

Do we have next years Thong for Europe entry?










I'll get me coat

dregin

Benny Cake wrote: »

Stand up and fight works for the same reason the fields does, neither of them are associated with any of the counties in munster. You'll never hear Sean south, the banks or there is an isle in thomond park...

Considering Sean South of Garryowen is a bastardised version of Roddy McCorley, a song also not associated with Munster but Ulster, by a shower of **** cashing in on the troubles, I don't think it belongs near Thomond or any other sports ground for that matter

razorblunt

I do like #SUAF on twitter though.

athtrasna

I am quite partial to it and think it's quite fitting for Munster. It certainly beats the pants off "There is an Isle". I remember being at the 2000 Heineken Cup final in Twickenham and they played that over the speaker and nobody sang along!

jm08

The fans seem to like it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27hhHKg8vvs

The players singing it in the dressing room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwJyab16zKA

phog

Great song, loved by players and supporters.

phog

athtrasna wrote: »

I am quite partial to it and think it's quite fitting for Munster. It certainly beats the pants off "There is an Isle". I remember being at the 2000 Heineken Cup final in Twickenham and they played that over the speaker and nobody sang along!

There is an Isle should be our national anthem rather than 4 Proud Provinces, classic.

For those at the Sarries away game last season (?) There Is an Isle got a lash as the crowd left the stadium, got a huge reaction and it continued almost down to the bar where the supporters club met up pre/post match.

Aidric

phog wrote: »

Great song, loved by players and supporters.

Fully agree. Adds a touch of class to proceedings and is quite a rousing piece.

Iang87

phog wrote: »

Great song, loved by players and supporters.

I disagree

phog

Iang87 wrote: »

I disagree

Have you any great evidence that the players or supporters don't like it?

Or are you disagreeing that it's a great song?

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

Have you any great evidence that the players or supporters don't like it?

Or are you disagreeing that it's a great song?

It doesn't get the crowd response that it did in previous years IMO. A problem with it, although it's something many songs share, is that the verse is a load of gibberish and doesn't mean anything. At least The Fields actually some kind of story / meaning to it.

However SUAF is still extremely preferable to the ****e at the Aviva last month.

.ak

I remember my first visit to thomond, thought the choir singing it was a once off and found it enjoyable, thought it was pretty cool.

Every time I've heard it since then it's become more and more boring and tiresome, to the point I just cringe at it.

Same goes for the guns and roses and Bon jovi and all the other dated ****e they play in the rds. It's like a cringey over 50s disco at times.

(Don't get me wrong, I love my cheesy power rock, but enough is enough).

We should all take a leaf from toulouses prematch music and entertainment. Something edgy like Justice works very well - of course it helps they're a French group.

Iang87

phog wrote: »

Have you any great evidence that the players or supporters don't like it?

Or are you disagreeing that it's a great song?

I disagree because i'm a supporter and I dont like it and I cant really think of a time where the people in my general vicinty at a match have sung along to it. It all seems very manufactured when it comes to that song, big build up to the chorus where people make their flags bounce together. Hardly a cauldron to be coming out into.

I've never heard that song belted out with even remotely the same passion as fields of athenry.

I'm not sure if its just me but i feel they've mangled the atmosphere out there with these sort of things before matches. The atmosphere will build itself for a big game I dont need the Cara o Sullivan one screaming at me to "COME ON" as she prances around the halfway line flapping her arms. It gets rid of the nervous tension, that air of anxiety that makes you scream when the team comes out as the talking finally has to stop.

I think my issue appears to be with the whole commercial atmosphere around these matches these days as opposed to with the song. I dont think its a bad song I just dont like it and feel it came on the scene around the time the atmosphere started to change for the worse out there.

Does anyone else think its gone very poor or am I just taking notice of stupid things?

phog

Iang87 wrote: »

I disagree because i'm a supporter and I dont like it and I cant really think of a time where the people in my general vicinty at a match have sung along to it. It all seems very manufactured when it comes to that song, big build up to the chorus where people make their flags bounce together. Hardly a cauldron to be coming out into.

I've never heard that song belted out with even remotely the same passion as fields of athenry.

I'm not sure if its just me but i feel they've mangled the atmosphere out there with these sort of things before matches. The atmosphere will build itself for a big game I dont need the Cara o Sullivan one screaming at me to "COME ON" as she prances around the halfway line flapping her arms. It gets rid of the nervous tension, that air of anxiety that makes you scream when the team comes out as the talking finally has to stop.

I think my issue appears to be with the whole commercial atmosphere around these matches these days as opposed to with the song. I dont think its a bad song I just dont like it and feel it came on the scene around the time the atmosphere started to change for the worse out there.

Does anyone else think its gone very poor or am I just taking notice of stupid things?

Well I think you've just disagreed with your earlier post, you agree that the fans participate with the song and we've seen the team sing the song.

Now not liking how Cara O'Sullivan delivers it is a whole different matter unless you're trying to change your initial response.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

Well I think you've just disagreed with your earlier post, you agree that the fans participate with the song and we've seen the team sing the song.

Now not liking how Cara O'Sullivan delivers it is a whole different matter unless you're trying to change your initial response.

Depends on what you mean by participate. Few people sing, most just clap along.

Cara O'Sullivan's "enthusiasm" doesn't help tbh, although I appreciate her effort however misguided! :pac: I always thought Derek Moloney was really good and miles better than COS.

Look it's not making me want to lose my hearing like the Paddy Whackery blaring at the Aviva, this in comparison is fine. I'd much prefer if they sang the Fields instead of SUAF before the match, in my experience supporters get into that more.

Iang87

phog wrote: »

Well I think you've just disagreed with your earlier post, you agree that the fans participate with the song and we've seen the team sing the song.

Now not liking how Cara O'Sullivan delivers it is a whole different matter unless you're trying to change your initial response.

I didnt really disagree with myself, i never said all the supporters dont sing it. I said I dont like it but I dont think its bad.

Not as many fans participate as you seem to think. Surely if they did just piping the song through the PA system for 30 seconds should be enough to get you started rather than requiring thirty people singing it and one person screaming at you to sing it

Riskymove

thomond2006 wrote: »

Look it's not making me want to lose my hearing like the Paddy Whackery blaring at the Aviva, this in comparison is fine. I'd much prefer if they sang the Fields instead of SUAF before the match, in my experience supporters get into that more.

I am not so sure that the Fields is a good pre-match option as its pretty down beat, I think its far better used as it is

tbh I was just as happy when they had that drum group welcome the teams on..I think that was enough

what we need is our own "Delilah" type!! a bit upbeat and tongue in cheek

jamiedav2011

Never been a fan of SUAF myself.

I also agree with AK above, would love to hear Leinster stick on something like Chemical Brothers or Justice pre game before the teams come out rather than just 'the boys are back in town' etc all the time.

Particularly for a day game, I think us Irish aren't half as 'intimidating' as we like to think.

Though a lot of that is to do with the clientele aswell.

Riskymove

tbh we are probably overreacting to this anyway

its nowhere near the OTT stuff we encountered at Ireland games in recent times

and if you are not convinced, try visiting Saracens:pac:

Iang87

to be honest i'd be rid of all that crack. Strip it all back, let the pre match be made up of the nattering of the crowd and the random pockets singing what they want or chanting what they want. The crowd will always react when the team appears so what goes before that can be deemed irrelevant.

Losty Dublin

A lot of the problem here is that many of the new fans at games aren't coming out of clubs and they genuinely aren't au fait with many of the older traditional songs and anthems. The provincial match day event management are no better and seems to work on the basis that it's easier to feed people a few bars of a few generic chants and songs and shure it's great craic altogether rather than try connect with the older songs and habits.

In fairness, SUAF isn't exactly a rabble rouser but not all songs are. If fans were told to sing dreary songs about famine fields in Galways Drumlin belt, black slave songs (England), their national anthem (France) or comedy songs about ficticious trips to London 50 years ago (Wales), would they have hopped on it as quickly? It's a matter of finding a song which connects with the fans and is easy to grasp onto. The trouble is finding that song and sticking to it till it's accepted by the fan base.

Iang87 wrote: »

I disagree because i'm a supporter and I dont like it and I cant really think of a time where the people in my general vicinty at a match have sung along to it. It all seems very manufactured when it comes to that song, big build up to the chorus where people make their flags bounce together. Hardly a cauldron to be coming out into.

I've never heard that song belted out with even remotely the same passion as fields of athenry.

I'm not sure if its just me but i feel they've mangled the atmosphere out there with these sort of things before matches. The atmosphere will build itself for a big game I dont need the Cara o Sullivan one screaming at me to "COME ON" as she prances around the halfway line flapping her arms. It gets rid of the nervous tension, that air of anxiety that makes you scream when the team comes out as the talking finally has to stop.

I think my issue appears to be with the whole commercial atmosphere around these matches these days as opposed to with the song. I dont think its a bad song I just dont like it and feel it came on the scene around the time the atmosphere started to change for the worse out there.

Does anyone else think its gone very poor or am I just taking notice of stupid things?

Fireball07

I quite like SUAF. At the Leinster game, I was a bit surprised to hear that sang by the crowd a couple of times ahead of say, the Fields.

I think if it's done properly by the crowd it can be good, but it's a bit harder to sing and some people don't know the words..... at least the Fields is easy to sing, easy to recognise and everyone knows it.



But even the last day, the Perpignan fans were making noise, even when losing by a lot...and the French clubs tend to have very simple chants, fast-paced and upbeat.


The worst chants in Ireland are the long-drawn out "Muuuuuuunster" or "Leeeeeeeeinster" or even "Iiiiiiiiireland". Just sound crap, and need to stop now.

Benny Cake wrote: »

Stand up and fight works for the same reason the fields does, neither of them are associated with any of the counties in munster. You'll never hear Sean south, the banks or there is an isle in thomond park...

Actually for Limerick FC this year, you'd have heard Sean South a few times in Thomond Park :P

phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

Depends on what you mean by participate. Few people sing, most just clap along.

Depends on what you mean by "few" but I'd love to get a euro for every supporter that sings along to SUAF at Munster games.

Iang87 wrote: »

I didnt really disagree with myself, i never said all the supporters dont sing it. I said I dont like it but I dont think its bad.

Sorry I misunderstood what you meany by disagreeing with "loved by players and supporters"

I think it's obviously liked by supporters.

BTW, no one is claiming it's loved by every supporter.