As I sit down to post this, LSU just went up 17-0 on Arizona. But something is not quite right in Tigerland this year. Earlier this week Ian alerted us to a shocking decision by LSU administrators to discontinue the band's performance of "Tiger Rag" during the pregame ceremony. Apparently, LSU administrators were unsettled by the fact that some drunken Tiger fans had found something in the beat of the song that allowed them to taunt the visiting team by chanting "asshole". Leaving aside the prudery of anyone affecting to be shocked that there is swearing at football games, it seems strange that LSU officials would allow some drunken fans to deter them from allowing a song with Louisiana roots to be played at Louisiana sporting events. Tiger Rag performed here by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in its traditional form is a well known Jazz classic. During his landmark 1938 Library of Congress recording sessions with Alan Lomax, Jelly Roll Morton uses the piece to illustrate the component influences in early Jazz music.
Personally, I learned the song by watching LSU football and basketball while growing up. It's a shame to think that this tradition will have to be pushed aside on account of a few "assholes".
Bonus: Ukelele master Roy Smeck performs Tiger Rag
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