TOWNIES CLUB SONGS
JUNIOR AND WOMENS SONG
(sung to the tune of the Richmond Tigers club song)
Oh, we're from Edwardstown,
A fighting fury, we're from Edwardstown,
In any weather you will see us with a grin,
Risking head and shin,
If we're behind then never mind,
We'll fight and fight and win.
For we're from Edwardstown,
We'll never weaken 'til the final siren's gone.
Like the Townies of old,
We're strong and we're bold.
For we're from Edwardstown, (Never look back)
For we’re from Edwardstown
SENIOR MENS SONG
"STEP TO THE REAR"
I hear the crowd begin to cheer
Get on your knee now because there is a Townie here
Will everyone kindly step to the rear
And let the Townies show the way
We show other clubs how the game should be played
The goals should be made
Our team really kills them
Towns are the best
And unlike all the rest
Determination makes it this way
The clubmen are great
Every fellow is you mate
And we'd like you to join in and say
Will everyone kindly step to the rear
And let the Townies show the way
Let the Townies lead the way
Tune: “Step To The Rear”
Year written: 1973
From the stage show: “How Now, Dow Jones”
Recorded by: Teresa Brewer on Festival Records (Featured on YouTube)
Arrangement: Bryan Craig (member)
Words to song/re-written by: B Craig, P Dabinett, J Leslie, I Carter and a couple of others.
History of The Townies Club Song
The music for our club song “Step To The Rear” is from a Broadway musical. It was published in 1973 and was featured in the musical “How Now, Dow Jones” a play based around the stock market in the USA.
In 1979 Ian Ridings brought his then boss, Bryan Craig to the club for a drink and Bryan made many friends across the club through business and socialising. The club had a piano at this time and Bryan performed for the members some of his renditions of “Three Blind Mice” and “Grandfathers Clock” using his classical training to great effect.
One night Bryan brought this song into the club and suggested that we look at it in order to have a Club Song. He had written some words to the music and asked for a group of players to have a look at making any improvements.
A panel including current board members Peter Dabinett, Ian Carter along with Jim Leslie and a couple of others, rewrote some of the lines, as Bryan was a Queenslander Rugby Lad whose ideas were a bit different. The lyrics were finally settled and a group of about 12 players were taken to Recording Studios at Somerton Park.
The owner of the studio then tested all players for voice. One or two were rejected for failing to obtain a pitch. Of course there was then some disappointment and dissent, but after quite a few takes, the song was acceptable for 1979 and the studios cut a number of 45’s of the song that were sold at the club.
Probably only 1 or 2 would exist now, but Peter Dabinett had recorded the song on a tape. It was taken into a studio and cleaned up through a computer programme.
Compared to AFL club songs, “Step To The Rear” is a comparatively young piece of music. For instance the Carlton Club Song is a “Lily of Laguna” and the other clubs have similar songs taken from the 1930’s or before.
During it’s early launch it was sneered at by rival clubs, but after «The Towns» had a few premierships behind them, especially during the SAFA era, it became hated by rivals. The club played it over the outside amplifier when we won and the district also knew the words.
Times change and players sing it differently, but the words stay intact. It is your song as a «Townie» to sing when we win and learning the tune and words are important, as is being a member. Be proud in being different from all the “copy clubs” of the other leagues.
Bryan Craig is alive and residing in the Adelaide metropolitan area. He still attends luncheons with his «Townie» friends.