Verdi Helps Steelers Win Superbowl XLIII

February 2, 2009 • Quotidian / Video • 0 • Previous | Next

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals last night, winning their second Super Bowl in four years. With 47 seconds remaining, Big Red was ahead by 3 points but then, Roethlisberger found Holmes in the endzone to seal the deal for the Steelers.

The Steelers won four more games during the regular season but scored 80 less points and 13 less touchdowns than the Cardinals. Big Red’s strong offense was cancelled out by the Steelers’ legendary defense leaving the teams evenly matched.

In a previously released statement, the General Director of the PIttsburgh Opera Christopher Hahn pointed out what might have been Pittsburgh’s only concrete advantage, “we have not one, but two fight songs, and…has used the aria ‘Celeste Aida’ in its…TV commercials. [That] gives us a distinct advantage.”

While the Steelers’ two fight existing fights songs have rather literal texts, this new addition to the repertoire, composed in 1871 by the Italian Giuseppe Verdi, is far more metaphorical.

If I were that warrior!
If my dream came true!
An army of brave men lead by me
And all victories and the praise of Menfi
And to you, my sweet Aida,
Returning wrapped in laurels
I would say: I’ve fought for you,
I’ve won for you!

When asked to supply music for the opening of the Suez Canal, Verdi sniffily replied that he did not write occasional music. In light of this it is not clear if inclusion in the Steelers’ Fight Song canon constitutes unauthorised usage. Telephone calls and email messages requesting comment were not immediately returned.