By
The Associated Press
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The University of Iowa marching band can again celebrate Hawkeye basketball victories by singing the polka song "In heaven there is no beer."
Band director L. Kevin Kastens told his musicians of the decision by e-mail Tuesday. The band members had stopped singing the song's lyrics this semester because a parent complained about the words:
"In heaven, there is no beer. That's why we drink it here. And when we're gone from here, all our friends will be drinkin' all the beer."
Tom Aunan, an Iowa City parent and teacher, questioned the appropriateness of the song, given the university and city's efforts to stem underage and binge drinking.
But athletic director Bob Bowlsby called it "a real stretch" to link the song to binge drinking.
"This song is simply a standard polka which Hawkeye fans enjoy participating in after Iowa victories," Kastens' e-mail said.
Aunan declined to comment.
The issue may be reconsidered after the men's basketball season, when the Athletics Department reviews all policies.
The beer song has been performed for about 20 years after victories by the Hawkeyes' football and basketball teams.
Band member Jason Peterson said the temporary ban probably made the song even more popular.
"It probably brought more attention to the tradition," he said. "Students and supporters will probably sing even louder now."
