No More Elvis?

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Oct 30, 2008 4:45 PM EDT

Starting Saturday, the administration is doing away with playing Elvis on the PoweTron.

While nothing close to a longstanding Ole Miss tradition, having Elvis Presley sing "American Trilogy" on our big-ass HD screen after home games is, at least conceptually, pretty damn cool. Think about it, one of Mississippi's native children singing the song which inspired one of the greatest marching band songs in the Southeastern Conference on a screen which is using enough electricity to power 2.5 Congos (or at least 1 Burkina Fasao).

It doesn't matter who you are; that's pretty damn cool.

You know what else is pretty damn cool? Elvis.

You know what isn't? Chanting "The South Will Rise Again."

Now, we at le Cup have a trustworthy source telling us that the main reason for the doing away of the King has mostly to do with whoever's in charge of these kinds of things not asking for permission from the Presley estate (seriously, how absolutely stupid can you be?). Of course, history indicates that we've got a dumb enough administration for that to be true, but you know (and our source confirms) that the "traditional" chanting of TSWRA after "From Dixie With Love" had at least something to do with this change.

This bugs the shit out of me.

While I feel our administration's efforts to better the university's image have largely been successful and forward thinking, this one is just stupid. Of course, if license issues are involved then there isn't really anything we or anyone else can say. Our administration didn't ask for permission to play a video of Elvis Presley on our jumbotron and somehow thought that wasn't going to be an issue.

Dumb, dumb, dumb... but forgivable.

But, if they feel that folks are crying "racism" because of an Elvis song, they're way off base. And, another thing, if they think that this song was encouraging the chanting of TSWRA they were also incredibly mistaken.

Personally, I never heard it said during the Elvis video, but I'm not about to deny it's existence. It likely happened and it was certainly as disgusting as always. However, Elvis may just be the key we need to get this scourge of a "tradition" removed from Vaught-Hemingway altogether.

Here, let me try to get the message across:

Chanters of "The South Will Rise Again,"

What in the fuck are you doing? Look, I know you think Ole Miss is all "old timey" and "Southern" and shit but let's get one thing straight: TSWRA isn't cool. I know you and your buddies from suburban Dallas/Atlanta/St. Louis love pack up your F250's with cans of dip, drive down to Oxford, start saying y'all, and pretending like you enjoy cole slaw.

It's cute. It's endearing.

It shows us real folks from the Magnolia State that you find Mississippi to be a pretty damned cool place. Folks like me who grew up here, however, don't go around wearing stripmall linens while listening to Lynard Skynard and hating black people. And we certainly do not chant "The South Will Rise Again" (or at least those of us who are really worth a damn).

We don't chant TSWRA because, as Mississippians, we've learned that our shit has already risen.

"What?!?! That's preposterous! I'm from suburban Atlanta, God dammit and we have URBAN OUTFITTERS! You haven't risen."

Bullshit we haven't. Mississippi (and the South) did rise again when Elvis Aaron Presley took the motherfucking world by storm.

You think TSWRA is cool? You think you're cool? Naw, motherfucker. Elvis was cool. No matter how many Ole Miss blogs I run; no matter how many unsolicited high-fives I get; no matter how many Airships shows I go to, I will never, not in a billion years, be half as cool as Elvis fucking Presley. You, as well, need to come to terms with your plight.

Elvis was a young man from Tupelo, Mississippi who started his recording career in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a man who loved his God, family, and country before fame and money. He was a man who could sing and dance the panties off of any woman on Earth.

And guess what. He sang "His truth is marching on" at the end of American Trilogy.

You know why? Because those are the actual fucking lyrics, you douche. Stop making my state and school look bad.

If Elvis were still alive, he'd kick your ass, burn your F250, and sit on your limp body while he ate a catfish dinner. Then, he'd write you a check for the medical bills and the truck (because he fucking can) before leaving it in your back pocket.

Elvis starts trends. You don't. End of story.

Ole Miss administration, listen up. Having Elvis on the PoweTron is a great idea, especially after a win. I, along with many others, found it quite fitting after the Memphis victory. Get the rights to play it and let these asshats see , in the presence of their King, that they are the lowliest of peons.

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Read More: we are...ole miss, the powe-tron

Comments

I'd like to start the slow clap here. A la Gene Hackman in the Hoosiers locker room.

by Beck on Oct 30, 2008 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

Amen... I just cried a bit.

by Anonymous on Oct 30, 2008 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

Hell yeah. Preach it. TSWRA is for D-bags.

by Anonymous on Oct 31, 2008 12:06 AM EDT reply actions

You are my hero.

by Anonymous on Oct 31, 2008 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

Are we talking about young spry Elvis or old fat drugged up Elvis...

by Anonymous on Oct 31, 2008 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Hell fucking yeah, As a Black man that loves the fuck out of Ole Miss, I find it moronic for Students to Chant TSWRA after playing slow dixie (which is a very beautiful fucking song). I'm not really mad about Elvis being pulled though, Sorry........... He just wasn't that cool to me, plus he married a teenager..... Why glorify a fucking pedophile who could've got all the legal aged pussy he wanted........just saying.

My suggestions for the PoweTron/Big Ass H.D. TV:

Rap music at max volume!!!!!

Kid Rocks song, that I saw at the movies the other day for the Army, that song made me want to go and join up and fuck some shit up. I'm pretty sure the Army would not mind the free pub and I bet it would be a big hit with our fans.

Just put together a Montage of Great Ole Miss football moments, pictures of all of the former Ole Miss Greats and pro players. (Great recruiting tool btw).

by Anonymous on Oct 31, 2008 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

the right reverend houston nutt hell! preach on rev ghost!!

by Anonymous on Oct 31, 2008 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

I'm from rural Alabama and went to school at Ole Miss. And if you don't think that rural Alabama is as Southern as anywhere in Mississippi, you are crazy. And wrong. I yelled TSWRA at football games in the student section, and I find no fault with it. Today, it seems like anything will hurt somebody's feelings, or HEAVEN FORBID, be offensive! Oh, no! We simply cannot have anything offensive! My GOD! How TERRIBLE!! Get over yourselves, you bunch of whining, complaining, women. If you don't like TSWRA, that's fine. However, it is not that big of a deal from either side of the argument. Quit acting like TSWRA is a vocal support for pedophilia.

by Mr. Shuler Goes to Washington on Oct 31, 2008 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

However, you are correct in that Elvis is the King (Dwight Yoakam is up there, as well), and we both agree that some of the pretenders from St. Louis are annoying. But quit CONSTANTLY referring to Ole Miss as your school. It's OUR school, you pretentious fucking douche. Just because another student may have a different opinion than yours about a topic relevant to Ole Miss does NOT make the University of Mississippi any less of a school to that particular student. Who the hell do you think you are? Claiming that Ole Miss is YOUR school. It's our school, it's Mississippi's school, and it is the South's school. Quit making Ole Miss look bad, Ghost.

by Mr. Shuler Goes to Washington on Oct 31, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

I'm all for disagreement, but about the "my" school comment:

That's directed at the TX and GA kids that are really just Longhorn or Bulldog fans and only cheer for Ole Miss (and make it look bad via GPA's, TSWRA, etc) casually because they're students here.

It's the University of MISSISSIPPI, not the 2nd place U of TX or GA.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Oct 31, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

Robert you are a part of the fucking problem, you're so gung ho about the civil war and shit and still have a hard on about it, when that shit was hundreds of years ago. I would feel better about a bunch of fucking nerds taking up a more noble war like the Revolution or WWI, II. But no.......it has to be the one that was about slavery. (and please spare me the fucking it wasn't about slavery shit). Ole Miss has the potential to be one of the Greatest institutions in the South, but with fuck wads like you around it's been pretty hard, becuase you "Tradition" mongers can't let go of the past. Elvis wasn't shit but a fucking degenerate pedophile that could sing and dance really well. He died a overweight piece of shit on the crapper. Some King........

by Anonymous on Oct 31, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

I'd like to hear a good argument FOR the chanting of TSWRA. Honest question, robert: What is good about that chant?

I can tell you an argument AGAINST the chant: A lot of people find it offensive, it references a dark chapter in Mississippi's history, and generally, at the very least, causes an awkward social situation when it is done.

There. Now you offer up your argument, that doesn't involve the statement: "It ain't offensive." Assuming that argument is true, its still not a valid reason for saying "TSWRA". I mean, there are lots of random ass six syllable phrases that could fit, phonetically, into that song that aren't offensive. Why TSWRA?

by Beck on Oct 31, 2008 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

First, I don't see where it can be deemed offensive - unless you consider "Slow Dixie" offensive. Having said that, I agree with the original post about not needing to say it.

Plus I've got a better solution:TSWRA is six syllables ->
Do you know what would "fit" the ending better (and more people would join in) "Go To Hell L-S-U!"

by Anonymous on Oct 31, 2008 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

I think We've found a winner!!!!!! I like that idea alot or go to hell M-S-U, or who ever we play, like go to hell Tiger high, or Go to hell War Eagle. Damn good Idea other anonymous dude!!!!

by Anonymous on Oct 31, 2008 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

Actually, for quite a while now, The Ghost of Jay Cutler has been using the phrase "To Hell With L-S-U" at the games. I liked it enough to pick it up myself. It just flows a bit better than "Go to Hell..."

by To Helvis with LSU on Oct 31, 2008 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

Six syllables: "The Ghost of Jay Cut-ler!"

Or: "The One That Got A-way!"

Or even: "Red So-lo Cup Ad-min!"

All right, now I'm just kissin' ass. But you get the idea.

by artiger on Nov 2, 2008 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

ive always gone with "the south is a nice place to live"

oh and to robert....if youre not part of the solution, youre part of the problem

by Scotty on Nov 2, 2008 11:24 AM EST reply actions

Some of you guys are amazing.

We live in a day and time of always fretting over offending someone, rather than just saying what you feel or mean.

Some of you ass-wipes are so consumed with being politically correct and being ashamed of who you are and where you came from that you can't even accept your own fucking history.

If you don't like the phrase TSWRA, then don't say it or be a part of it, but why in the hell worry about why someone else does?
Do you really think your going to change thier mind?
You won't change thiers anymore more than they'll change yours. So what's the fucking point?

I may be from Arkansas, but i'm definately from the south, and love a lot about it's history as well.
I don't care anything about saying or singing TSWRA, but if I choose to, you can bet your ass i've got the right to, wheather you fucking like it or not.
It's kind of like a gay parade. It makes me want to vomit, but there isn't a damn thing I can do about it, so what's the fucking difference?

Some people are offended by the word fuck, but like most of you, I couldn't care less if I offend a christian. Do I have to not cuss just because they don't?

That's like saying thier part of the fucking problem that I can't drink, smoke, cuss or jack-off.

by GonzoHog on Nov 2, 2008 12:32 PM EST reply actions

gonzo...

Please go away.

by Someone who can't stand bad grammar on Nov 2, 2008 12:46 PM EST reply actions

"Gung ho about the civil war and shit". Wow. You made a fabulous argument, anon. The Civil War itself is not celebrated. It is remembered. The fact that I, along with many others, have ancestors that fought bravely to defend their homes is celebrated. Also, the vast majority of Confederates did not own any slaves. Just to let you know...

by Mr. Shuler Goes to Washington on Nov 2, 2008 5:56 PM EST reply actions

I've said this before on another comment thread, but I find it relevant to repeat myself here...

"Tradition mawfucka!"... if we're all so about that, well, the actual 150-year-old words to the song are "His truth is marching on!"

So, that's what I myself cheer.

To HELL with LSU!

by rh0d3$+@r on Nov 2, 2008 11:52 PM EST reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Network Bar

Red Cup Rebellion -

Changing the culture of Ole Miss Rebel athletics since 2008.