Vikings Kickoff Campaign a success!

This is Andy after hearing the "Immigrant Song" being played at the Vikings' preseason game, August 10, 2007.

Thank you to the Minnesota Vikings and to the Viking's fans who helped make this campaign a success. The Minnesota Viking's have listened to their fans by playing the "Immigrant Song" at their kickoff of the 2007 season. We as fans need to carry this momentum by joining the battle cry each time this song plays to create a new and lasting tradition.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Minnesota Vikings have kicked off the 2007 season in style by listening to their fans and playing Led Zeppelin's “Immigrant Song” in their first preseason game. In a world where the little guy gets overlooked so often, it is great to see an organization like the Vikings staying in touch with the fans. This instance is a great example of that.

Last season, Andrew Saur of Duluth lead a campaign to change the Vikings Kickoff song from “Welcome to the Jungle” to Led Zeppelin's “Immigrant Song.” He gained the support of hundreds of fans and received attention from numerous media outlets including Sports Illustrated.

The Campaign to Change the Kickoff Song:
A work of art, inspired by the “Immigrant Song”, titled “Voyage of the Norsemen” was created by Andrew Saur. He had tried to present a print of the artwork with the new kick off song to Zygi Wilf and the Minnesota Vikings but received a standard no solicitation letter from them. Saur was not discouraged by this minor setback and continued to campaign for the change.

Saur continued to campaign by creating VikingsKickoff.com. This website included his argument for change, video, downloads and an online petition that received hundreds of signatures. Saur also campaigned in the media to get the word out to fans and ask them to show their desire for a kickoff song that was identifiable with only the Vikings. “The “Immigrant Song” is intense and powerful, and more importantly, it is sung about the Vikings,” said Saur.

Saur's campaign was featured in local publications and news, Sports Illustrated, Minnesota Public Radio and as far away as Iceland.

During the opening kickoff of last Friday's preseason game, the “Immigrant Song” with its Viking battle cry was heard throughout the Metrodome. Andrew Saur was there to celebrate the new season and was ecstatic to hear the song played. “The Minnesota Vikings are a class organization,” said Saur, “They have listened to their fans and honored them.”

Thank you Vikings!

innesota - The land of ice and snow. With the blood of our Scandinavian ancestors coursing through our veins, these Norsemen struck fear into the hearts of people. Today, these modern Vikings wage war on the gridiron, clashing with opponents. It is my goal to make the Viking’s kickoff anthem to be a more appropriate battle cry, more so, the Led Zeppelin rendition of the “Immigrant Song.”

Aaaaaaaah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.

Aaaaaaaah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords.

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.

So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing.

How more appropriate song can there be? With the pounding and rumbling of the bass and the scream of Robert Plant, the legions of Vikings and their fans would have adrenaline pumping! It certainly is more fitting than “Welcome to the Jungle” or “Hells Bells.”

One more step can be further taken. The lyrics could be rewritten to say,
“On we sweep with threshing oar, our only goal will be the Super Bowl!”

Please join me in this effort by signing this page in support of the Vikings Kickoff song. With our unity, our voices, and battle cries, we will be heard!