Its the grand old flag, with Melbourne in it.

[tonatopia 278]

we should get rid of the verse;

"Should all aquaintence be forgot", i dont even know what that line means?

and change it to something like;

"Melbourne's our home, the MCG and the cup,

Keep your eye on the red and the blue"

no need for a million dollar thinktank. Its free advice from Demonland.

Edited June 8, 2014 by tonatopia

[deanox 9,914]

That sounds absolute rubbish.

Don't change the song. It may be strange that the song doesn't mention the team name but that is a quirk.

Does anyone not barrack for Melbourne Bebside the song doesn't mention our name? Does it cost us money?

No need to change.

[tonatopia 278]

what does the following line mean anyway;

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot"

Any takers?

Edited June 8, 2014 by tonatopia

[SaberFang 7,151]

Only thing I see working would be "every heart beats true for the red and the blue" to "Melbourne's heart beats true for the red and the blue", but that might cause some trademark issues with a certain soccer team.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

what does the following line mean anyway;

"Should all aquaintence be forgot"

Any takers?

Is it not "old acquaintance" and I think that makes more sense also

[hardtack 10,537]

Leave the song alone, it's fine as it is... besides, if you really wanted to change it, you would need to rewrite it from scratch and to a totally different tune, because it was originally written for a staged musical called George Washington Jnr...

http://www.whatsoproudlywehail.org/curriculum/the-american-calendar/youre-a-grand-old-flag

Edited June 8, 2014 by hardtack

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

Only thing I see working would be "every heart beats true for the red and the blue" to "Melbourne's heart beats true for the red and the blue", but that might cause some trademark issues with a certain soccer team.

Not anymore now that it's Melbourne City

[hardtack 10,537]

Is it not "old acquaintance" and I think that makes more sense also

it's actually "auld acquaintance" (scottish I believe)... I think it means we should never forget our old friends/comrades in arms etc.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

it's actually "auld acquaintance" (scottish I believe)... I think it means we should never forget our old friends/comrades in arms etc.

Interesting, I like the background, I had never seen the song it came from. Thanks

[deanox 9,914]

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, keep your eye on the red and the blue"

It means that even though you may (that is, it is a acceptable to and you are permitted to) forget about your passing fancies, you should always keep your eye on Melbourne.

Basically, while you may have other acquaintances (for example you follow Melbourne storm in passing), don't ever forget about the team you love.

Edit: put it in full context add it is a slang saying of old.

"For even though you may forget acquaintances (people you meet or know in passing), always remember your true friends".

It derives from Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns.

It differentiates acquaintances from friends. In this case the singer is proclaiming that "the red and the blue" is their true friend.

Edited June 8, 2014 by deanox

[Adam The God 30,239]

Don't touch the song. I'm fine to change the jumper though.

Where's Rangey? I want a poll. Give it to Bartlett.

[dee-luded 2,959]

we should get rid of the verse;

"Should all aquaintence be forgot", i dont even know what that line means?

and change it to something like;

"Melbourne's our home, the MCG and the cup,

Keep your eye on the red and the blue"

no need for a million dollar thinktank. Its free advice from Demonland.

what about

Its the grand old town, a high flyin town

or

We're a grand old club, a high flyin' club, this team is for me, & for you.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Only thing I see working would be "every heart beats true for the red and the blue" to "Melbourne's heart beats true for the red and the blue", but that might cause some trademark issues with a certain soccer team.

"every heart beats true for the red and the blue" to "All our hearts beat true, well oiled with red & blue",

[dee-luded 2,959]

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, keep your eye on the red and the blue"

It means that even though you may (that is, it is a acceptable to and you are permitted to) forget about your passing fancies, you should always keep your eye on Melbourne.

Basically, while you may have other acquaintances (for example you follow Melbourne storm in passing), don't ever forget about the team you love.

Edit: put it in full context add it is a slang saying of old.

"For even though you may forget acquaintances (people you meet or know in passing), always remember your true friends".

It derives from Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns.

It differentiates acquaintances from friends. In this case the singer is proclaiming that "the red and the blue" is their true friend.

is that why I've had 4 or 5 second teams, over the past 45 years journey. as well as fishing, & golf, tennis, horse riding, hiking, abseiling... always new I'd return One day, with words like that.

love the Tune, & some of the wording Re loyalty, but hate the flag part. I'd rather the words were more passionate, & about the club & togetherness & a fighting spirit.

not a piece of cloth.

Edited June 8, 2014 by dee-luded

[Vagg 2,439]

Deanox has the explanation spot on.

Leave the song alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited June 8, 2014 by Vagg

[pantaloons 2,019]

If we change the song, I will sit there booing through it after every victory. If you haven't worked out by the end of a two-hour game that you've been watching Melbourne, then referencing us in song is probably not going to turn the light on for you.

[Pates 9,660]

Only thing I see working would be "every heart beats true for the red and the blue" to "Melbourne's heart beats true for the red and the blue", but that might cause some trademark issues with a certain soccer team.

I don't want it changed but that would be a possibility. I can guarantee though if Bartlett consults the supporters on this one it will be a resounding no from the majority of fans.

[bananas 428]

Could be wrong about this, but I believe the 'auld acquaintance' line is in there because before the current song we actually used to use 'Auld Lang Syne' as our club's anthem. When they changed to Grand Old Flag, they stuck a line from the previous club song in there. Any MFC historian types able to confirm/deny this? Can't even remember where I heard it.

Fact of the matter is, if you love the club then you love the song. I'd be furious if some marketing buffoon decided we had to change it, and I'm pretty sure I'd keep singing the current version no matter what.

[DeeZee 7,392]

No way...dont touch the song.

[mauriesy 7,287]

The "auld acquaintance" line was in Cohan's original on which the Melbourne club song is based.

Have we ever had a recognised 'grand old flag'? Cohan's song refers to the Stars and Stripes. Exactly what flag does ours refer to?

[jabberwocky 2,301]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne

The song is loosely based on the tune of Auld Lang Syne.

It happens to be a line that is a remnant from that old song.

Leave it be.

Sorry missed bananas post above. Play the tune on the link and you will hear the the resemblance.

Edited June 9, 2014 by jabberwocky

[mauriesy 7,287]

I wouldn't mind if Melbourne was so successful that these lines from Cohan's song rang true.

Ev'ry time I see it waving,

There's a chill runs up my back that makes me glad I'm what I am.

[Damo 3,355]

"Its the emblem of the Town we love"

would be my only concession

[DeeSpencer 25,687]

It’s a grand old flag
It’s a high flying flag
It’s the emblem for me and for you
It’s the emblem of the team we love
The team of the Red and the Blue
Ev’ry heart beats true
For the Red and the Blue
And we sing this song to you (What do we sing!)
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Keep your eye on the Red and the Blue

Replace 'the team of' with Melbourne

OR
Replace 'Ev'ry heart beats' with Melbourne hearts beat

Either of those changes I would find acceptable but at the same time totally unnecessary

Edited June 9, 2014 by Georgiou R.R. Martin

[CityDee 738]

Dont touch the song .