Why is Pomp and Circumstance Played at Graduations?

Check my other channel Biographics! / @biographics
→Some of our favorites: • Featured
→Subscribe for new videos every day!
www.youtube.co...
Never run out of things to say at the water cooler with TodayIFoundOut! Brand new videos 7 days a week!
More from TodayIFoundOut
Why are Ambulances Called Ambulances?
• Why are Ambulances Cal...
Why are School Buses Yellow and Why Dont They Have Seatbelts
• Why are School Buses Y...
In this video:
Every year, hundreds of thousands of students march across a stage in a gown and a squared hat to receive a piece of paper that says they’ve completed a particular phase in their education. This school graduation will undoubtedly be marked by cheering, proud adults, and, particularly in North America, the playing of the seminal marching tune “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1.” So, why is Pomp and Circumstance played at seemingly every graduation?
Want the text version?: www.todayifound...
Sources:
www.grammarpho...
www.phrases.or...
www.thespectru...
www.wqxr.org/s...
www.npr.org/te...
www.smithsonia...
www.etymonline...
www.elgar.org/2...
www.elgar.org/3...
www.elgar.org/3...
books.google.c...
www.word-detect...
en.wikipedia.o...
en.wikipedia.o...
en.wikipedia.o...
en.wikipedia.o...
Image Credit:
www.bigstockph...
www.bigstockph...
www.bigstockph...
www.bigstockph...
www.bigstockph...
www.bigstockph...
www.bigstockph...
Music from Jukedeck - create your own at jukedeck.com.

[@ThePstjtt]

I always thought it was because it could be played as an infinite loop, thus accommodating schools with tens of students marching down the aisle as well as schools with thousands of students marching down the aisle.

[@Arcanua]

By that logic you could play SO MANY pieces of music it's rather ridiculous.

[@JeremyWS]

That's my favorite marching music

[@8eileen1]

Well, you should have played it to give those who do not know title or composer but know the melody!! DUH!!

[@T0mmy9898]

It's weird having a whole video about a song and never playing it during the video, especially since it is so old there is no copyright on it.

[@noeldown1952]

T0mmy9898 No copyright on the song, but there's copyright on its performance. So unless Simon can organise an orchestra to play the song for his video, he'd still need to pay royalty for showing someone else's performance.

[@davidlevy706]

The Wikimedia Commons has a (somewhat crackly) recording old enough to fall in the public domain. High-quality, royalty-free recordings can be obtained from numerous volume license websites for less than £100 (including unlimited commercial use). That might be too much to spend on one video, but the PD recording is more than adequate.

[@MathewWalls]

There's a CC licensed version here: musopen.org/music/5220-pomp-and-circumstance-op-39/ The non-commercial clause could be seen as a problem, but there's no ad on this video so my (uninformed) guess is it would be fine.

[@macsnafu]

Surely there's a midi file of it somewhere that Simon and Co. could have used. Then you don't need a specific 'performance'.

[@MathewWalls]

I'm pretty sure a midi file would also be subject to copyright as a creative work in its own right.

[@deadfreightwest5956]

Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance March #1 in D, Opus 39/1" is a truly great composition. It should be noted that the part most people remember from it starts about 2 minutes in. This is from the era of great British romantic music. Glorious! March #4 is another familiar piece.

[@oxenforde]

Speaking as a former high-school band member ... the chorus (the "Land of Hope and Glory" part) is relatively easy to play. So, while the seniors are getting their diplomas--the less skilled juniors, sophomores, and freshmen can make a good showing; playing the easy-ish/repetitive tune.

[@breezy9297]

Pomp and Circumstance always makes me think of Macho Man Randy Savage.

[@robtru84]

It's a graduation song before it became his favorite song

[@PewPewPark]

Because the Macho Man demands it. Ooooooooh yea!!!!

[@ScottGreenMusic]

DIG IT!

[@windhelmguard5295]

remember he died so we could live.

[@PewPewPark]

Windhelm Guard it’s ashamed we lost great ones like the Macho Man and Rowdy Roddy Piper yet Hogan remains.

[@windhelmguard5295]

at least we still got the iron sheik.

[@PewPewPark]

Windhelm Guard yes that is true.

[@matthew.datcher]

I was in band while in school, and at the end of ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades I was in the band that played for commencement. Considering our school had 300 - 350 students per grade, we ended up having seemingly never-ending repeats during the play of Pomp and Circumstance. I grew to hate the song. When we were seniors, a few of us tried to get the processional changes (Rimsky-Korsakov's Procession of the Nobles was the favored replacement), but the administration wasn't hearing any of it. So, sadly, I had to march to that song as well. At least now, I don't ever have to hear the song ever again. High schools everywhere have killed the song for me.

[@samanjj]

Matthew Datcher I think the original Hawaii 5-0 song would be an excellent alternate

[@chasef4811]

I have the same experience.

[@Addylillis]

I watched my school’s band teacher start to cry. A lot of my classmates (Class of 2018) were in band and I hate seeing teachers cry especially the good ones. They played it until the whole class was filed in. It took a lot as we had maybe 300 I’m not sure. For each grade.🤷🏽‍♀️

[@brucewelty7684]

ANd it is such a BORING song to play ad infinitum.

[@SadMarinersFan]

I had to play through the song 19 times at my highschool's graduation.

[@lesliebeaumont9512]

Andrew Behrend .....yes, as a musician from NJ originally, I know what you mean!

[@chasef4811]

Same

[@ericdodson3630]

This will forever be known as Macho Man Randy Savage's theme song. And yes, shouting "Oh yeah, dig it" in a gravely voice is highly frowned upon at most graduation ceremonies

[@robtru84]

It's a graduation song before it became his favorite song.

[@ericdodson3630]

@@robtru84 congratulations captain obvious, I bet you are just so much fun at parties

[@aldrianca5328]

Yes I am guilty of doing this. Got a good laugh out of everyone

[@robtru84]

It was a graduation song before it became Macho Mans favorite song

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Well, graduation is a wonderful day indeed...until you realized how hard it is to find a job you studied and trained for many years.

[@barrocaspaula]

You didn't play the dammed music.

[@kangakong]

Paula Barrocas probably have to pay royalties.

[@hqqns]

kangakong it's 117 years old, I'm sure it's out of copyright by now $-)

[@MathewWalls]

Copyright also applies to individual performances, so they'd need a royalty-free or public domain performance. Like this one: musopen.org/music/5220-pomp-and-circumstance-op-39/

[@Pippinn13]

It would have been a little out of place in a today I found out video

[@normanharvey976]

not really, there is music playing in the background as he is talking, its not load but it is there.

[@Henchman_Holding_Wrench]

On a similar note: Why is _Entry Of The Gladiators_ by Julius Fucik the march that turned into the most famous circus theme?

[@felonyx5123]

Gladiator combat was a bit like a particularly violent circus.

[@hailtothevic]

From what I've heard, circuses used ironically...until they didn't

[@sarysa]

Pomp and Circumstance -- the "Freebird" of the Edwardian Era.

[@krispyhappy]

As an orchestra member this piece was ingrained into me, I can play (first violin part) from memory. How have I only now found this video.

[@MC-up9nx]

Also was The Macho Man Randy Savage's entrance music.

[@Wanderer628]

I remember an American friend came over and one night we played The Proms where they played Pomp and Circumstance and said American friend thought we didn't know that we were playing an American song. It was funny as hell watching his face when we told him that the song that was played in American graduations is a British tune extolling the British Empire to grow larger and larger.

[@TheOtherBill]

Didn't Simon just say the music was written (1901) before the lyrics were written for the coronation (1902)? So the music was written by a British composer during the time the empire was no longer growing.

[@calendarpage]

I used to see references to 'The Proms' and wonder why 1. they had proms in the UK , 2. why were they playing this kind of music for proms, and 3. why did they call them 'the' proms, plural? : ) I finally looked it up, now I know. : )

[@Wanderer628]

TheOtherBill The British Empire was still growing. The end of ww1 added most of the German colonies to it's tally.

[@Blaidd7542]

The British empire peaked in 1922 so the British empire sill had 2 decades or wider and wider.

[@borinightmare]

I always call it Macho Man Randy Savage's WWF theme song.

[@Caterfree10]

...still not worth my band geek ass having to deal with this goddamn piece for six years of my life B|

[@WaterShowsProd]

So, in typical fashion the reason it's played at graduations is because someone else played it at a graduation so we's gonna do it too. Brilliant. I actually can't remember much of anything about my graduation except waiting for the damned thing to be over.

[@zenostagefour]

Because they want the graduates to show the hidden style and dive deeper

[@perrydowd9285]

It's played because it's good for your graduating classes to feel a sense of gravity & importance in between their four years of study, and their lifetime career serving coffee at Starbuck's. Come to think of it, we've got heaps of graduates over here in Western Australia, so where's the Starbuck's

[@VampireFlutist]

If the words “Pomp and Circumstance” dont throw you into a fit of rage, are you even a band kid?

[@pulsar2049]

nah bro, i'm an orchestra kid.

[@ruikirisame1744]

my weeb brain thought he was talking about the vocaloid song.

[@hongjoongsfluffyhat]

Rui Kirisame I knew he wasn't talking about the vocaloid one but it still played in my head lol

[@basiI]

lol same

[@hanwenyap]

To pay tribute to Randy Savage, of course.

[@davidsiler5505]

It would have been a better video if "Pomp and Circumstance" was played in the background.

[@GlamourNNail]

David Siler most likely would cause a copyright claim.

[@davidsiler5505]

And proud of it!!!

[@holyloli69420]

Happy with *25,000$* debt 😆

[@Op-xq4kv]

Yeah actually, I think most would be relatively happy if it was only 25k

[@Jeff_G1]

I would be super happy for only 25k LOL

[@akrybion]

*laughs in European*

[@TheRealityBin]

It took me four years of paying at about 180 a month to get it from 20,500 to 19,800. Math!

[@derpimusmaximus8815]

I'm old, so I only owed £350 on a credit card by the end, and if I'd not been getting pished 4 or 5 nights a week while at university, I'd have owed nothing and got a better degree, too.

[@Hillers62]

What about Randy Savage's use in his into to the ring????

[@deadfreightwest5956]

1:49 - "Farewell thy neighing steed and the shrill Trump..." If only!

[@surmatise]

The first Time I heard it at a graduation I thought the Macho man Randy Savage was about to make his way to the podium and elbow drop the principle.

[@robtru84]

What's with the Macho man Randy Savage comment

[@surmatise]

The macho man used pomp and circumstance for entrance music. As a kid I had only heard it as his entrance music so was surprised when it started playing at graduation

[@robtru84]

@@surmatise you mean his favorite song

[@charlesajones77]

Procession and then Standing Around. Yep, that pretty well describes my college graduation. And the years that followed.

[@NIN10DOXD]

Because, educators love them some Randy Savage.

[@michaelcoleman6228]

It was also used by Prof. Irwin Corry, the world's foremost authority. Sorry to say he died last year at the age of 102.

[@shyrryllbroglin7438]

Absolutely awesome 👏 song 🎧 🎶 🎵 .

[@mikefata6692]

Sorry, but the real reason is because Macho Man wants it played.

[@pikachuthegayatheist6215]

So it depends the song it is usually played because traditional, but also religious belief, some Catholics believe that it is a prayer or blessing to the graduates journey in life, and their family.

[@Kev167]

Can I say, in other words, in the US, the tune stands for graduation, while in the UK, the tune stands for patriotism?

[@honeyheart8215]

Yup

[@PeterCCamilleri]

Quite common in Canada too.

[@tiercel5561]

Same here in the Philippines, just not with bands.

[@notnek202]

Canada does Everything we in the USA do.

[@christelheadington1136]

Do Israeli schools play Pomp and Circumscion ?

[@jordandurham8951]

Christel Headington Surely you mean Jewish..?

[@christelheadington1136]

No, Israel would have Hebrew schools, in it's majority.

[@grapeshot]

My graduation was so boring, they wouldn't let us throw our mortar boards up into the air.🎓🎓🎓

[@Mandiness]

Washing the Spears 1973 same here. Apparently it was a safety hazard or something.

[@terryboyer1342]

You might poke some bodies eye out! (in jewish mothers voice)

[@IrishMike22]

Washing the Spears 1973 they wouldn't let you? Did they have 1,000 people standing next to 1,000 people ensuring not one person throws their hat up in the air? And even if that was the case, if you threw your hat up in the air the ceremony is in congratulations for already completing your education so what could they do? We put way too much emphasis on what 'they' or 'them' or 'those' people can do, why don't you just do what you want?

[@grapeshot]

Mike Hartley I remember them saying something about it might be too disruptive. Really to be honest with you after 12 years of that shit give me my diploma. So I can get the hell up out of there.

[@IrishMike22]

Washing the Spears 1973 I apologize if I sounded rude! I just reread my comment and it makes me sound like a douchebag. Sincerest apologies!

[@kaysi6605]

I'd loved to have that played at my graduation

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

When I was in Junior High Band we played this for HOURS twice a year. Then my family moved to a district with a different system and I never graduated at that level at all. So disappointing.

[@TheRealityBin]

Because their the cream of the crop! Oooooh Yeah!

[@Arcanua]

While I no longer am US citizen, my high school let everyone pick the song when they walked to get their diploma, it just had to be "clean" when translated to English. I ended up walking to a song by Blutengel that was in German after I couldn't narrow down what I wanted. I just gave the list of songs a number and spun a wheel crossing them off as they came up. Nearly walked to something by HIM.

[@DJEylisium]

Pomp and Circumstance reminds me of the education minister on SimCity4 when he gives you a mission and rewards you with a University...Only me? Okay...

[@samanjj]

DJ Eylisium reminds me of the police academy movies

[@erinnefessler8055]

Really? Allllll that talk and not even a note of the actually march played....I feel shorted Simon. COPYRIGHTS BE DAMNED!!!!!!

[@jommydavi2197]

what copyrights? Elgar is deadddddd

[@MathewWalls]

Individual performances are still subject to copyright, Jommy.

[@mercuryman1250]

Before I knew about this I've always knew about this from Macho man Randy savage WWF and then school

[@sleeeeep]

WRONG!!!!! The real reason is because they must pay tribute to the Macho Man Randy Savage as he is the GOAT

[@andkyrmar]

Clicked off at ‘US specific’. This channel only ever caters for the US audience. Time to unsubscribe. See ya.

[@MegaMinerd]

Video suggestion: the origin of the name "mortar board". (Please link if you already did this)

[@christelheadington1136]

Started at College of Masonry.

[@pacman10182]

it looks like a mortar board

[@teflonravager]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXK2hqeobdyEZ9E

[@grahampalmer]

tyler roberts .... exactly so, seems pretty obvious doesn't it.

[@pacman10182]

Graham Palmer apparently Simon did a video on this already too

[@th3gr81]

I pissed off my high school sweetheart by calling the song, “ Macho Man Randy Savage Theme”.

[@macsnafu]

Amazingly, KZbin comments make you both smarter and stupider! ;-)

[@oscarorozco7368]

I remember my graduation. I felt it was a beautiful moment that to this day it gave me chills and it was sweet and wonderful as well😀

[@fredred8371]

Really??? Ur not going to actually play the music? I'm down voting

[@scooterc7469]

Y’all got all wrong it’s Macho Man Randy Savage entrance music

[@literally-just-a-leaf]

So it's not because America thought it should get to be the mother of the free? That's a bit sad, but I suppose there can only be onr

[@Schwert_San]

When the Sound of Crippling Student Debt come in...

[@avrilvaz9074]

Am i the only one who thinks he looks similar to Johnny Sins?😂😂😂

[@Discosaturn]

I like the song so much better in 'Kingsman: The Secret Service'.

[@cat_luver16]

My high-school is very new, so our senior year only had 140 students

[@seprishere]

Why do graduations only have the Trio? Why not the bridge?

[@sMASHsound]

People are idiots... lol It was the keke challenge of the time.

[@DemocraticConfederalist33]

Congrads to Class of 2024! (me)

[@francoislacombe9071]

Where does the expression "rule of thumb" come from?

[@MindinViolet]

Because a graduation is a pompous circumstance.

[@JTRumpet491]

Didn't you already make this video a year or two ago?

[@sj8233]

When you go to a smaller school you get to pick cool songs

[@teddydabear8772]

I feel the whole graduation ceremony thing is more for the families of the graduate than for the graduate. Just a photo op. Much like how funerals are for the survivors rather than the deceased. In most graduations, the graduate receives a diploma holder and then get their actual diploma in the mail weeks later. You have done the work, and your name is entered into a scholastic database as an alumnus for a human resource department to call and verify. Big whoop because after a person has work experience in the field of study, HR department places more importance on prior employment. If self-employed, probably doesn't matter at all.

[@gudetamas]

Fuck I thought it was the vocaloid song

[@LunaDragofelis]

I thought this was about the vocaloid somg

[@MyLawschool]

On a side note, why do so many countries use the tune to God Save the Queen as their national anthem?

[@Dave_Sisson]

The United Kingdom, Liechtenstein and who else?

[@perrydowd9285]

When l was growing up in Australia, God Save the Queen was our national anthem. Then they changed it to Advance Australia Fair. Then the conservatives won office & they changed it back. Then the Labor Party got back in and it was Advance Australia Fair again. Then someone pointed out that the never sung second verse of Advance Australia Fair contained the lyrics "Their son's in fair Australia still keep a British soul." So they rewrote the song. Then someone realised that the song was all about Australias "sons", so they changed it again to Australian's all. But to answer your question why do so many countries have God Save The Queen. It's so we can have something to talk about when we're not beating the Poms at cricket.

[@MyLawschool]

Dave Sisson the US has My Country Tis of Thee (though it’s not its anthem), i think Russia, Prussia and Austria once used it too.

[@michaelwalton4017]

....Now...pay those student lones!

[@matthewjay660]

Play it, please.

[@seanp2035]

I played this for the 2018 graduation at a high school

[@peachypeach]

Isn't it Graduation by Vitamin C or Baz Luhrmann, Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen

[@advanceringnewholder]

i think it's vocaloid song

[@Hillers62]

The lyrics are: Land of hope and glory, mother of the free How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee? Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet ...

[@OceanCrazie]

Didn't mention that "Pomp & Circumstance" is also played @ High school graduations as well...

[@SimonRancourt]

It's also heard in Stanley Kubrick's "Clochwork Orange"

[@midnite_rambler]

Because it's awesome?

[@scottleft3672]

It was brilliant in....A Clockwork Orange.

[@irritated888]

I had to look up the song, I avoid graduations like the plague. I recently started smoking in the hope I'm undergoing chemo during my kids highschool graduation.

[@inisipisTV]

OK, now why do some schools also plays Verdi's Aida - Grand March in the graduation procession as well as Pomp and Circumstance in it's recessional march.

[@basiI]

I legit was like "wait they play a vocaloid song about sex at graduations" I'm a dumbass

[@erinjohnson-foster2357]

Simon please do the Royal crown Jewels PLEASE I love all of the British royal info and how you tell it (just saying) you are great! I love your shows!

[@whisperingwind2]

Man I hate that song

[@CarFanaTIC777]

Video suggestion: why is channel 19 the standard "catch all" on a cb radio, how did they arrive at that number

[@mrrizzla4961]

It's so weird going back to see Fact Boy's old videos. He is wayyyy more natural in front of the camera these days.

[@whuzzzup]

Graduation here: Go to the clerk when you have free time some day, sign some papers, get some papers, go home. Done.

[@Runovaris]

Meanwhile my vocaloid trash mind thought about the other song with the same name..

[@duckydarrick7460]

I've noticed some colleges using "Scotland the Brave" in recent years, has anyone else seen this?

[@goffrd137]

Of all the marches in the series, this one is the most boring when played ad nauseam

[@hoist8111]

Now do a video on why the valedictorians speeches are so goddamn long?

[@nelsonricardo3729]

"the shrill trump"

[@BICHETO]

In Mexico we use the March from Verdi's Aida opera.

[@WasteFaced]

I always see it as Poop and Circumstance on the first read

[@joylolly4458]

Sup early crowd!😃 Here before 100 views👍

[@floaton3]

More importantly, why don't they play the whole song!