Where Football Chants Come From: Hymns, Music Hall and Pop
Football chants are rarely original compositions. Most terrace anthems borrow their melodies from hymns, music hall numbers, pop songs or folk tunes, with fans rewriting the words to suit their club. The practice dates back to the late 19th century, when crowds at matches in England and Scotland adapted popular songs of the day, and it continues today with chants built on hits by The White Stripes and other pop acts.
Why do football fans sing hymns?
Hymns are a rich source for terrace chants because they are designed for communal singing: the tunes are simple, the rhythms are steady, and the words often carry a sense of solemnity or triumph. In Britain, where church attendance was widespread until the mid-20th century, most people knew the same hymns by heart.
One clear example is ‘Abide With Me’, sung at the FA Cup Final. It is not a chant in the usual sense, but it shows how a hymn can become part of football ritual. More directly, fans have adapted hymn tunes for chants: hymn tunes have been adapted for various terrace songs.
Hymns also travel well.
How did music hall shape terrace songs?
Music hall was the popular entertainment of the British working class from the 1850s to the early 20th century, and its songs were the pop hits of their day. Many were written with singalong choruses, making them ideal for crowds.
West Ham United’s ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ is the classic case. The song was written in 1918 for the Broadway musical The Passing Show of 1918 and became popular in Britain. West Ham fans adopted it, and it remains the club’s anthem. Similarly,
Music hall gave terrace culture a template: a catchy chorus, a simple melody, and lyrics that could be twisted for humour or defiance.
When did pop songs become terrace anthems?
Pop songs have been adapted since the 1950s, but the practice accelerated in the 1960s when radio and records made hits widely known. Liverpool’s ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is the most famous example: written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for the musical Carousel, it was covered by Gerry and the Pacemakers and adopted by the Kop.
Other examples include:
- ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ – West Ham (from a 1918 musical, not a pop song per se, but a popular standard).
- ‘Blue Moon’ – Manchester City, adapted from the Rodgers and Hart song, famously recorded by The Marcels in 1961.
- ‘Seven Nation Army’ – The White Stripes (2003), adopted by fans across Europe, notably by Club Brugge fans in 2003 and later by Italian fans, for its simple, chantable riff.
- ‘Freed from Desire’ – Moloko (1999), sung by fans of several clubs, including Northern Ireland and Celtic.
Pop songs work because they are already familiar and have a strong hook. Fans can slot in player names or club references without changing the melody.
What are some famous football chants and their origins?
| Chant | Club | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ | Liverpool | Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel; Gerry and the Pacemakers cover |
| ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ | West Ham United | 1918 Broadway musical The Passing Show of 1918 |
| ‘On the Ball, City’ | Norwich City | Believed composed in the 1890s by Albert T. Smith; often called the oldest football song still in use |
| ‘Seven Nation Army’ | Various (Club Brugge, Italy national team, etc.) | The White Stripes (2003) |
| ‘Blue Moon’ | Manchester City | Rodgers and Hart; The Marcels version |
| ‘The Fields of Athenry’ | Celtic, Liverpool, etc. | Irish folk song written by Pete St John |
How do folk songs and political anthems fit in?
Folk songs have a long association with football, particularly at clubs with Irish or working-class roots. Celtic’s adoption of ‘The Fields of Athenry’ is a well-known example: the song, written by Pete St John about the Great Famine, became a terrace anthem at Celtic Park and has since been sung by fans of other clubs.
Political anthems also appear. ‘The Red Flag’ has been sung at some grounds, and ‘Bella Ciao’ (an Italian partisan song) is used by fans of clubs with left-wing traditions. For more on the intersection of football and politics, see our piece on FC St. Pauli: The Punk Football Club of Hamburg.
Why do some chants stick and others fade?
A chant survives if it is easy to sing, has a clear rhythm, and can be adapted to different situations. Hymns and music hall songs had simple, memorable melodies; pop songs often have a hook that works when shouted by thousands. Folk songs carry emotional weight and storytelling.
Chants also spread through media. ‘Seven Nation Army’ became a terrace standard after television coverage showed fans singing it at international tournaments. The internet has accelerated this: a chant that starts at one club can be picked up elsewhere within weeks.
For more on the relationship between music and football culture, including the punk and Oi! scenes, see our articles on Oi! and the terraces and Celtic FC, Irish folk punk and the songs that fill the terraces.
FAQ
What is the origin of the Liverpool anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'?
The song comes from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel. Liverpool fans adopted it after a version by Gerry and the Pacemakers, and it became the club's anthem.
Why do football fans sing 'Seven Nation Army'?
The White Stripes' 2003 riff became a terrace chant after fans of Belgian club Club Brugge KV adopted it in 2003, and it was later picked up by Italian fans. Its simple, repetitive melody made it easy to sing en masse.
What is the oldest football chant?
It is uncertain which chant is oldest, but 'On the Ball, City' is often cited as the world's oldest football song still in use, believed to have been composed in the 1890s and sung by Norwich City fans.
How do hymns influence football chants?
Many chants borrow hymn tunes because they are familiar, easy to sing in unison and have a slow, majestic quality. Examples include 'Abide With Me' (sung at the FA Cup Final) and terrace adaptations of 'Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer'.