While it may not be the most recognized birthday celebrated on Christmas Day, one of college football's most famous songs had its golden anniversary on December 25.
Tennessee's unofficial fight song, "Rocky Top" was released on Christmas Day in 1967, making it 50 years old on Monday.
The song was originally performed by the Osborne Brothers, as shown in the video below and reached No. 33 on the U.S. Country chart.
Through the years, numerous other musical acts have performed their own renditions of the song, most notably Tennessee's "Pride of the Southland Marching Band," who first played the song as part of a drill during a game against Alabama on October 21, 1972.
The song's lyrical ties to the East Tennessee region made it a favorite among the Volunteer faithful and it was officially adopted as the fifth Tennessee state song in 1982.
"Rocky Top" has traditionally been played following the Vols' official fight song, "Down the Field," after PAT attempts and big plays during college football games, as well as other UT sports.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy_voliikn0
Happy birthday, Rocky Top. You'll always be home sweet home to me.
