Did This AFL Team Really Steal France’s National Anthem? One Woman’s Shocking Discovery
- Replies 1
If you’ve ever been to an AFL game, you’ll know there’s nothing quite like the roar of the crowd, the thump of the ball, and—of course—the triumphant team song belted out after a big win. But for one French tourist, a recent trip to the footy turned into a musical mystery that left her absolutely gobsmacked.
Picture this: TikTok user @bonjourmelbourne, a proud Parisian exploring the wonders of Melbourne, found herself at Marvel Stadium to watch the Brisbane Lions take on Carlton. The Lions stormed home with a 37-point victory, and as the final siren sounded, the team and their fans erupted into song. But instead of the usual Aussie footy anthem, she heard something startlingly familiar: the unmistakable tune of La Marseillaise—the French national anthem!
Her reaction? Pure shock. 'Can someone please explain why the French anthem is the Brisbane Lions theme song?' she posted, her jaw still somewhere on the stadium floor.
She wasn’t alone in her confusion. Some footy fans were equally baffled, but the diehard Lions supporters in the comments were quick to set the record straight. Yes, the Brisbane Lions’ team song, 'The Pride of Brisbane Town,' is indeed sung to the rousing melody of La Marseillaise. But how did a French revolutionary anthem become the soundtrack to a Queensland footy team’s celebrations?
A Song With a Storied Past
The story goes back much further than the Lions’ 1997 formation. The tune was first adopted by the Fitzroy Football Club, one of the oldest clubs in the AFL, long before their merger with the Brisbane Bears. The credit for this musical mash-up goes to former Fitzroy player Bill Stephen, who penned the lyrics during an end-of-season trip to Perth in 1952.
Inspired by a scene from the classic film Casablanca—where French patrons drown out German soldiers by singing La Marseillaise—Stephen thought the stirring anthem would be the perfect rallying cry for his team. 'We really didn’t have a song that united us at Fitzroy,' he recalled. 'I was very impressed with the song, La Marseillaise… I told the boys that we needed a good song and gave them the tune.'
The lyrics were a team effort, with each player contributing a line as they travelled across the country. By the time they returned home, the song had become a beloved tradition, sung thousands of times and helping to lift spirits during tough times for the club.
From Fitzroy to Brisbane: A Tradition Lives On
When Fitzroy merged with the Brisbane Bears to form the Brisbane Lions in 1997, the song—and its French connection—came along for the ride. Today, 'The Pride of Brisbane Town' is belted out with gusto after every Lions victory, its rousing melody echoing through stadiums and living rooms alike.
So, while it might seem odd to outsiders (and especially to visiting French tourists!), the song is a cherished part of AFL history—a quirky, uniquely Australian twist on a classic European anthem.
A Night to Remember for the Lions
As for the game itself, the Lions gave their fans plenty to sing about. They dominated Carlton with a 15.13 (103) to 9.12 (66) win, showing no mercy on the field. Josh Dunkley was a standout, racking up 28 disposals and 13 tackles to claim the inaugural Robert Walls Medal, named in honour of the dual-club great who passed away in May.
Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko, and Will Ashcroft all put in influential performances, while Charlie Cameron led a group of 11 goal-kickers with three majors. Coach Chris Fagan praised his team’s relentless pressure, highlighting their 35 forward-half turnovers and 20 tackles inside-50 as key to the victory.
Unfortunately, the night wasn’t without its setbacks—defender Noah Answerth suffered a suspected season-ending Achilles injury before halftime, a blow for the Lions as they push towards finals.
The Power of a Good Song
It’s funny how a simple tune can bring people together, whether it’s in a Parisian café or an Aussie footy stadium. For the Lions, their anthem is more than just a song—it’s a link to their history, a symbol of unity, and a reminder that sometimes, the best traditions come from the most unexpected places.
So next time you hear the strains of La Marseillaise at the footy, you’ll know you’re not in France—you’re in the heart of Lions territory, where a little bit of French flair has become a proud Aussie tradition.
Credit: TikTok
Have you ever been surprised by a familiar tune in an unexpected place? Or do you have a favourite footy song that gets you singing along? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you! Allez les Lions!
Read more: What just happened? Anthem disaster leaves Aussie cricket stars stunned!
Picture this: TikTok user @bonjourmelbourne, a proud Parisian exploring the wonders of Melbourne, found herself at Marvel Stadium to watch the Brisbane Lions take on Carlton. The Lions stormed home with a 37-point victory, and as the final siren sounded, the team and their fans erupted into song. But instead of the usual Aussie footy anthem, she heard something startlingly familiar: the unmistakable tune of La Marseillaise—the French national anthem!
Her reaction? Pure shock. 'Can someone please explain why the French anthem is the Brisbane Lions theme song?' she posted, her jaw still somewhere on the stadium floor.
A French tourist in Melbourne discovers Brisbane Lions’ team song uses the tune of France’s national anthem. Credit: @bonjourmelbourne / TikTok
She wasn’t alone in her confusion. Some footy fans were equally baffled, but the diehard Lions supporters in the comments were quick to set the record straight. Yes, the Brisbane Lions’ team song, 'The Pride of Brisbane Town,' is indeed sung to the rousing melody of La Marseillaise. But how did a French revolutionary anthem become the soundtrack to a Queensland footy team’s celebrations?
A Song With a Storied Past
The story goes back much further than the Lions’ 1997 formation. The tune was first adopted by the Fitzroy Football Club, one of the oldest clubs in the AFL, long before their merger with the Brisbane Bears. The credit for this musical mash-up goes to former Fitzroy player Bill Stephen, who penned the lyrics during an end-of-season trip to Perth in 1952.
Inspired by a scene from the classic film Casablanca—where French patrons drown out German soldiers by singing La Marseillaise—Stephen thought the stirring anthem would be the perfect rallying cry for his team. 'We really didn’t have a song that united us at Fitzroy,' he recalled. 'I was very impressed with the song, La Marseillaise… I told the boys that we needed a good song and gave them the tune.'
The lyrics were a team effort, with each player contributing a line as they travelled across the country. By the time they returned home, the song had become a beloved tradition, sung thousands of times and helping to lift spirits during tough times for the club.
From Fitzroy to Brisbane: A Tradition Lives On
When Fitzroy merged with the Brisbane Bears to form the Brisbane Lions in 1997, the song—and its French connection—came along for the ride. Today, 'The Pride of Brisbane Town' is belted out with gusto after every Lions victory, its rousing melody echoing through stadiums and living rooms alike.
So, while it might seem odd to outsiders (and especially to visiting French tourists!), the song is a cherished part of AFL history—a quirky, uniquely Australian twist on a classic European anthem.
A Night to Remember for the Lions
As for the game itself, the Lions gave their fans plenty to sing about. They dominated Carlton with a 15.13 (103) to 9.12 (66) win, showing no mercy on the field. Josh Dunkley was a standout, racking up 28 disposals and 13 tackles to claim the inaugural Robert Walls Medal, named in honour of the dual-club great who passed away in May.
Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko, and Will Ashcroft all put in influential performances, while Charlie Cameron led a group of 11 goal-kickers with three majors. Coach Chris Fagan praised his team’s relentless pressure, highlighting their 35 forward-half turnovers and 20 tackles inside-50 as key to the victory.
Unfortunately, the night wasn’t without its setbacks—defender Noah Answerth suffered a suspected season-ending Achilles injury before halftime, a blow for the Lions as they push towards finals.
The Power of a Good Song
It’s funny how a simple tune can bring people together, whether it’s in a Parisian café or an Aussie footy stadium. For the Lions, their anthem is more than just a song—it’s a link to their history, a symbol of unity, and a reminder that sometimes, the best traditions come from the most unexpected places.
So next time you hear the strains of La Marseillaise at the footy, you’ll know you’re not in France—you’re in the heart of Lions territory, where a little bit of French flair has become a proud Aussie tradition.
Credit: TikTok
Read more: What just happened? Anthem disaster leaves Aussie cricket stars stunned!
.png){kind=icon}
