We watch football games and we watch the ways fans react if a goal is conceded or scored. It is passionate and it is loud, without a doubt. But do we know what these fans are singing? Or the lines they are saying to motivate their team? Let’s take a look at what the fans of Southampton, Manchester United and Liverpool chant.
For Southampton, or the Saints, as they are called by fans, the lines are, "Oh when the Saints go marching in, I wanna be in that number." They keep repeating the line in times of joy and sorrow. The song was popularised by Louis Armstrong.
For Manchester United, at the Theatre of Dreams, the lines are, "Welcome to Old Trafford, it’s the theatre of dreams. The power and the glory, oh the Stretford End will sing. The Busby Boys will take the pitch with magic at their feet as the Reds go marching on, on, on. Glory glory Man United, Glory glory Man United, Glory glory Man United, As the Reds go marching on." Given their rich history, the song is justified. It is based on the famous song Glory, Glory Hallelujah from the American Civil War in 1861.
Liverpool's famous chant is "You’ll never walk alone". It is an inspiring anthem. "Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown, walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone, you’ll never walk alone," goes the chant. The chant also pays tribute to the 96 fans who died at the Hillsborough stadium disaster. The song was adopted from the band Gerry and the Pacemakers.
So chants have a deeper meaning and next time you hear one, sing along.