Proving that the best traditions develop with time, UT Dallas recently unveiled its first ever fight song.
Over the summer, students and staff on a fight song committee narrowed the music and lyrics to “Tiger Rag.” The famous song is the first known recorded jazz ballad and was produced in 1917 by the New Orleans group Original Dixieland Jass Band.
Jazz pianist and UT Dallas faculty member Kelly Durbin is currently at work on the University’s own arrangement of Tiger Rag.
“The music is tried and true, and the choice of lyrics fits very well,” Durbin explained. “The lyrics had to be solidified — the ‘Whoosh’ was even included — and we’re now at a good point. The next step is getting our own arrangement hammered out.”
Student response has been good so far.
“It’s about time,” commented Ali Fries, a junior literary studies major. “It’s great that UT Dallas finally has its very own fight song.”
Tiger Rag is used as a fight song by the Detroit Tigers baseball team, as well as by the Louisiana State University Tigers.
According to Durbin, the song eventually could even be available to students as a ring tone.
Durbin directs the University’s Jazz Ensemble and teaches classes in music theory, MIDI, jazz history and jazz keyboard.
Media Contacts: Jenni Huffenberger, UT Dallas, (972) 883-4431, jennib@utdallas.edu
or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, newscenter@utdallas.edu
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UT Dallas Fight Song Lyrics
C-O-M-E-T-S! GO! |