Just curious, my Dad ('47) used to sing it all the time and he's the only person other than my Dads' classmates I ever heard sing it?

I was in the Singing Cadets in the mid 80's, and we sang it at every performance. They still do, and always will.

Excellent song. I'm not sure where this "Ed's" place was that is mentioned in the song (I think it was down Wellborn Road somewhere and later became a place called "Fish Richard's", but supposedly the booze flowed in that place and good times were had by all.

By the way, you can hear this song in the MSC Flag Room on Fridays before every home football game. Singing Cadet Open Rehearsal has always been on those days in that spot.

Ed Hrdlka owned a grocery store and beer joint south of Kyle Field. where the ags play
"FOOTBALL"!
fish richards was a residence that was converted to a restaurant in the 80's. the name came from a name written on the wall, "fish richards", discovered while the renovation was taking place.

[This message has been edited by aeon-ag (edited 6/11/2007 9:35a).]

[This message has been edited by aeon-ag (edited 6/11/2007 11:49a).]

football? anywhere? is this the gyn board?

The song was written by Jack Littlejohn for the Aggieland Orchestra during WWII. The Aggieland Orchestra still plays it at every show, and if you want to hear the real version, well, they've got it.

[This message has been edited by 1st Generation Ag (edited 6/11/2007 11:22a).]

Yes, grew up listening to that song.
Dad taught it to us when we were little.

"football? anywhere? is this the gyn board?"

who threw cold water on you this morning??? you the new site sheriff??

We used to sing it in the early 70's: Ed's was replaced with "Ralph's" at that time. Betty Grabel, became Ms. Sophia Lorren, and then Ms. Marylin Monroe. The following are the lyrics:

If I could be a banker, a lawyer, a preacher
If I could be a doctor, a mayor, a teacher
If all I had to do was merely raise my voice, then brother Here's my choice

I'd rather be a Texas Aggie - a mean so and so
Than be from any other school and rolling in dough
I'd rather be out on the highway a thumbin' a ride
Than have Miss Betty Grable for my blushing bride

I'll be true to the colors of Maroon and White
If they win or they lose I know they'll always
fight But if they lose old pal you'll always here
me say Let's go down to [Ed's] and drink our cares
away I'd rather be a Texas Aggie, no dime to my
name Than have my picture painted in the Hall of
Fame I'd rather be a Texas Aggie, and this is no
lie I'll be a Texas Aggie till the day I die.




[This message has been edited by wtr1975 (edited 6/11/2007 10:13p).]

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who threw cold water on you this morning??? you the new site sheriff??

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Isn't that the truth.

Why do people feel they need to be board Nazis?

The subject of the thread was clear to read. If you don't want to read it, don't click.

Good grief.

Keep the stories coming, guys. I don't know much about this little tradition and would like to hear more.

My dad, class of '37, taught it to us as we were growing up. Betty Grable was the babe of his day.

By the way, Hrdlka was pronounced "Hard licka" (maybe suggesting hard liquor?). By the time I got to A&M, it wasn't unusual to go to the county line, "Whiskey Bridge", to purchase same.

I want the Hullabaloo to learn to play this for hoops games, it's one of my favorite aggieland songs. You can hear it at the link provided.

http://b-batt.aggieband.org/dwnld/I%27d%20Rather%20Be%20a%20%20Texas%20Aggie.MP3

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I was in the Singing Cadets in the mid 80's, and we sang it at every performance.

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At the risk of incurring the wrath of the board Nazi (and I work for a German company, so I don't use the term loosely), who wrote this?

Signed,

Scot J


P.S. Here is where I get told to take it to another board by someone hell-bent on dissecting football in June.

Heard col. Brewer sing it at some function... some im still not sure if i have heard it

col brew sings it with the Aggieland Orchestra... the band is made up of all BQs but they only do gigs in the spring. if you haven't heard it you should take a listen, has a real good ole boy feel to it.

Great song. If you want an original version of it, check out the "Traditions" CD (two volumes as I recall). Pretty good CD - - it has some Aggie Band music, this song, and miscellaneous "Sounds of Aggieland", including the sound of Bonfire cut, Silver Taps, the last few seconds of beating t.u. in the 80's, a speech from an Aggie (general I believe) from Manilla in WWII. Good stuff. Look in the bookstores.

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I want the Hullabaloo to learn to play this for hoops games, it's one of my favorite aggieland songs. You can hear it at the link provided.

http://b-batt.aggieband.org/dwnld/I%27d%20Rather%20Be%20a%20%20Texas%20Aggie.MP3

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Excellent version, Bobinator!

What is the tune?

Nice link.

I have some old sheet music of that song---I think it's from the late 40's-early 50's.

In fact, a copy was just offered on ebay the past few days.

Sure I have.

I agree that this would be a good musical choice for Hullabaloo.

Gig 'em, FAST FRED '65.

Before the world wide web, village idiots usually stayed in their own village.

we sing it in a skit every year in Howdy Camp and T-Camp.....for those wondering its like fish camp but for transfers

" He's not a hard man to track, he leaves dead men where ever he goes."

90%Ag

Is that you, Scott Jenkins????

Indeed. And you are?

Email me at speedrush90@hotmail.com and I'll let you know. I typically don't post my name in the forums.

I don't want anyone to end up somehow mixing up my name with Raptor, Patch, BikerFox, etc.

Col. Brewer sings it every year (I believe) at the Corps of Cadets Association Banquet, I heard it this year

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Email me at speedrush90@hotmail.com and I'll let you know. I typically don't post my name in the forums.

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And yet you do put my name out there?

You will push for this.

Wasn't there some sort of wierd push to have the song at basketball games within the past year?

Great song. I'm a former Singing Cadet and we sang this at every show. As far as I know, the song was written in the 40's for the movie "We've Never Been Licked". At one point in the movie a bunch of Ags are singing it in a bar. By the way, the current Singing Cadets sing "let's go to The Chicken and drink our cares away" instead of "Ed's".

Great song, I remember my parents playing it when I was a kid.

If by "weird push" you mean I started a thread and said I wish they'd play it then yes, but other than that no.

And singing cadets are weak, Century Singers is where it's at.

Century Singers? Puh-lease.....

Who are you, Patty Fleitas?

It's practically impossible to get tickets to the Century Singers concert on Parents Weekend at Rudder because......wait, that's the Singing Cadets concert at Rudder that's always sold out that weekend.

Nevermind.

90%Ag

You had already put your name out there and a last name initial.

And no, I won't push. Not ever going to push for anybody that spent most of a weekend at Jack Sullivan's making our keys.

Ahh yes, I couldn't remember who suggested it should be sung at games. I believe I remember you were roundly criticized by some, and supported by others.

I had no real opinion, but enjoyed the time waste it provided me while scanning the basketball board during the season.

I will never forget the words to that song. My dad, '45 sang that song to me in my crib. It is permanently etched into my brain, which by the way reminds me of a story. I was visiting a nursing home here in Milwaukee a few years ago with my church group. I noticed this elderly man in a wheelchair with a big gold class ring on his left hand. I said to myself "no way, this can't be an Ag in a Milwaukee, WI nursing home. So I went up to him and asked if I could see his ring and sure enough, Class of 44, bigger than Dallas. I said "hey another Aggie in Milwaukee". He says "You ain't an Aggie". I said "to hell I ain't, Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 1974" He says, "where is your ring?" Well I had not been wearing my ring because my fat fingers were getting fatter and it was a little tight. I said it's at home but I can assure that I am an Aggie". He says "sure you are kid, sure you are" I then said "you are class of 44 right? My dad was '45. I am sure you will recognize this.”I then commenced to break into the first chorus of that song. By the time I got to the Betty Grable part this guy was grinnin' like the Cheshire cat and says "My god, you are an Aggie, nice to meet you son, nice to meet you!" We then sang the song together. The other old folks in that place thought we had gone off the deep end. I visited him in the nursing home on several occasions after that and we watched a couple of T+1 games together. He passed away last year. Trust me when I tell you that is a very special song

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Man, how cool is THAT?!