Call it the end of an era, or the start of a new chapter, but the Ravens unveiled a new fight song on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 by adapting a classic.
"The Baltimore Fight Song" takes the original "Baltimore Colts Fight Song" and adds Ravens-centric lyrics in what should make fans' gameday experience even more exciting.
"It's more or less a changing of the guard," said longtime director of the Marching Ravens, John Ziemann. "The fans spoke out on this one. They wanted to feel that tradition."
Speak out, the fans did. BaltimoreRavens.com held an online poll to see whether the Ravens' Flock community wanted to use the new song when the Ravens scored a touchdown or field goal.
Through nearly 10,000 votes, an overwhelming 79 percent (7,766) of fans said "yes" to "The Baltimore Fight Song."
With the help of his bandmates, Ziemann and the band's musical director, Todd Clontz, came up with the new lyrics set to the nostalgic melody.
Since 1998, Baltimore played the "Ravens Fight Song," an anthem penned by John Modell, then a Ravens Vice President and son of previous team owner Art Modell.
"We had a great song before, and that's a good enough song, to me, to be in the Top 10 of college fight songs," Ziemann said. "But bringing in a new one with roots in Baltimore is going to call to mind a sense of history with a look to the future of Baltimore football.
"My one wish for fans is to join us when the band plays the song. Learn the lyrics and sing along with us. It's going to be fun on Sundays."