Adrian The Cal Bear;841973724 said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Drinking_Song
""California Drinking Song" is a spirit song from the University of California, Berkeley. The first appearances of this song are traced to 1939. Both the UC Men's Octet and the University of California Marching Band perform it as part of their repertoire. It is a blend of other songs, including The Goddamned Dutch."
Actually, the core element of the song "For California, For California, the hills ring out the cry that we're out to do or die." first appeared in print in 1906 and was a modification of a copyrighted song that came out that same year "Oh Didn't he Ramble." As you can kind of get from the song, verses have been added over the years with the final being a blend of "no less than five different songs." The full version of the song appeared in 1939 after a trip down to L.A. (and a party in Newport?) for the UCLA game.
Quote:
The "California Drinking Song" is one of the most popular Cal songs among students and alumni everyone knows the words to this song! One of Cal's most unusual songs, over the years, no less than five different songs have been melded together to form today's current rendition. The core element of "California Drinking Song" is "Rambled," otherwise known as "California." The tune is based on the song "Oh, Didn't He Ramble," by Cole and Johnson (copyright 1906). The words were changed to what we know as "For California, for California, The hills send back the cry, We're out to do or die," and first appeared in printed form in 1906. The author of the text is unknown.
For a long time, the Band often played "Rambled" at football games, playing the chorus twice. When the "Drinking Song" element that follows was also played, it was known as "Rambled Into." In Roschelle Zella Paul's master thesis, "Song Tradition of the University of California at Berkeley," she mentions that "in 1939, the University Band and the Glee Club went down to Los Angeles for the UCLA vs. California football game. When they returned, both groups had joined additional verses of a whole new song to the old 'California' song. [Since then] even more verses have accumulated." The verses Paul refers to follow the "Rambled" part of "California Drinking Song." Titled "One More Drink for the Four of Us," this part of "California Drinking Song" is a traditional song of conviviality, sung throughout the United States (for example, Ohio State University has its own version of this song).
The origins of other elements of "California Drinking Song" are more difficult to pinpoint. It is believed that the "Speaking Start" (The steward went below,) is from a traditional Navy drinking song; the origins of the "Singing Start" (Oh, they had a little party down in Newport,) are unclear. "California Drinking Song" ends on a dominant seventh chord, which leaves a sense of unresolution. Consequently, the song beckons for additional lyrics which band members and students have been more than willing to supply. Many different versions currently circulate through campus. This song is often sung (with accompaniment) by the Band.
