The Autumn Wind
Encyclopedia
“The Autumn Wind” is a sports-themed poem written by present NFL Films President and co-founder Steve Sabol (son of founder Ed Sabol
) describing the atmosphere autumn weather, as it relates to pro football season. It is synonymous with, and the unofficial team anthem of the NFL's Oakland Raiders
, and is often heard blaring out of the soundspeakers at Raider games. Narrated by John Facenda
, this 1974 production has been dubbed "The Battle Hymn of the Raider Nation
."
The poem was first used for the team's official team yearbook film in 1974, of the same title. Legend has it that when Raider owner and managing general partner Al Davis
first heard "The Autumn Wind" song for the first time, he remained silent for a second before telling then NFL Films President Ed Sabol
that he loved it, and that "it epitomized everything that the Raiders stood for" . It has been used on numerous official NFL Films
audio album soundtracks, most notably The Power & The Glory LP
featuring Facenda narrating over both it. as well as numerous other Sam Spence
-composed and conducted NFL Films Orchestra musical tracks.
The Autumn wind is a pirate
Blustering in from sea
With a rollicking song he sweeps along
Swaggering boisterously.
His face is weatherbeaten
He wears a hooded sash
With a silver hat about his head
And a bristling black mustache
He growls as he storms the country
A villain big and bold
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake
As he robs them of their gold.
The Autumn wind is a Raider
Pillaging just for fun
He'll knock you 'round and upside down
And laugh when he's conquered and won.
Ed Sabol
Edward "Ed" Sabol is an American filmmaker and the founder of NFL Films. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 as a contributor due to his works with NFL Films....
) describing the atmosphere autumn weather, as it relates to pro football season. It is synonymous with, and the unofficial team anthem of the NFL's Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and is often heard blaring out of the soundspeakers at Raider games. Narrated by John Facenda
John Facenda
John Thomas Ralph Augustine James Facenda was an American broadcaster and sports announcer. He was a fixture on Philadelphia radio and television for decades, and achieved national fame as a narrator for NFL Films and Football Follies...
, this 1974 production has been dubbed "The Battle Hymn of the Raider Nation
Raider Nation
The Raider Nation is the unofficial name for the fans of the NFL's Oakland Raiders. They are particularly associated with a section of the Oakland Coliseum known as the 'black hole' which is usually occupied by rowdy fans...
."
The poem was first used for the team's official team yearbook film in 1974, of the same title. Legend has it that when Raider owner and managing general partner Al Davis
Al Davis
Allen "Al" Davis was an American football executive. He was the principal owner of the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League from 1970 to 2011...
first heard "The Autumn Wind" song for the first time, he remained silent for a second before telling then NFL Films President Ed Sabol
Ed Sabol
Edward "Ed" Sabol is an American filmmaker and the founder of NFL Films. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 as a contributor due to his works with NFL Films....
that he loved it, and that "it epitomized everything that the Raiders stood for" . It has been used on numerous official NFL Films
NFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
audio album soundtracks, most notably The Power & The Glory LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
featuring Facenda narrating over both it. as well as numerous other Sam Spence
Sam Spence
Samuel Lloyd Spence is an American soundtrack composer best known for his work with NFL Films.-Biography:A former USC music instructor living and working in Munich, Spence was hired in 1966 to score the mini-documentaries that conveyed NFL highlights and personalities to fans in the...
-composed and conducted NFL Films Orchestra musical tracks.
The Autumn wind is a pirate
Blustering in from sea
With a rollicking song he sweeps along
Swaggering boisterously.
His face is weatherbeaten
He wears a hooded sash
With a silver hat about his head
And a bristling black mustache
He growls as he storms the country
A villain big and bold
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake
As he robs them of their gold.
The Autumn wind is a Raider
Pillaging just for fun
He'll knock you 'round and upside down
And laugh when he's conquered and won.