So, I read about the history of the “Notre Dame Victory March” in search of its original purpose. This time, however, I wanted to actually think through the modification of a tradition.
#VICTORY MARCH LYRICS FULL#
In full disclosure, I have on several occasions complained about changes to Notre Dame’s traditions, and not always with good reason. As we sing together, a sense of community arises. When I’m at a Notre Dame football game with other alumni and we hear the fight song, we all know the lyrics and the accompanying hand gestures. Every time we play, I’m reminded of our Italian heritage and I feel a sense of belonging to this group of people, my family. When the Italian side of my family gets together, I can count on a game of bocce ball. I believe that there is value in preserving traditions, especially those customs that create and sustain a sense of community. A few initial conversations about this change made me wonder: When should we modify traditions to reflect new realities? But as with any other change to Notre Dame’s traditions, this lyrical change was met with mixed responses from alumni. While once we cheered for Old Notre Dame “while her loyal sons marching onward to victory,” now we will sing “while her loyal sons and daughters march on to victory.” This change coincides with the 50th anniversary of the admission of women to the University. The University of Notre Dame recently changed the lyrics to the 114-year-old “Notre Dame Victory March” to specifically reference the women of Notre Dame.
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