[Verse]
What once was sacred ground, our basketball creation
Now a stepping stone for one and dones, not a hallowed destination
Can we return…back to glory?
Out from the shadows came a former captain, an untouchable foundation
He promised banners like the one he brought home in domination
We will return…back to glory!
[Pre-chorus]
He knows the expectation, he wants it all and more
He’s one of us, he knows the pain and feels the same kind of desperation through all the tears
He knows the assignment, he’s walked the walk before
He’s one of us, when Rupp Arena roars, he’s a voice that’s crying out in hopeful cheers
He’s one of us…
[Chorus]
And I believe…
And I hope…
Oh, what we will achieve…
With Mark Pope…
He will return us to the promised land,
He’ll do it right, I know he can
I know that there will always be hope.
Hope in Pope
[Verse]
All the prognosticators and haters said he had no chance
That he couldn’t win, and barely would make it to the dance
They said it was a dream, that his first ball team wouldn’t make it very far
That a second weekend was wishful thinking and wasn’t in the cards
He proved them wrong, He proved us wrong
With a portal haul in only half the time
He took down Duke and it blew our minds
We could imagine banners hanging down the line
Gonzaga next and the Gators too
Beating top ten teams with an injured crew
We could see the vision, deliver us number nine
Misfortune came but he answered the call
Despite a gauntlet, he was standing tall
With no point guards, he refused to fall
Earned a three seed that no one thought was even possible at all
Hadn’t been to a second weekend in years
What Calipari couldn’t do, Pope said “hold your beer”
Said follow me, and he had no fear
To a Sweet Sixteen, we’re finally here
Again…
[Pre-chorus]
He knows the expectation, he wants it all and more
He’s one of us, he knows the pain and feels the same kind of desperation through all the tears
He knows the assignment, he’s walked the walk before
He’s one of us, when Rupp Arena roars, he’s a voice that’s crying out in hopeful cheers
He’s one of us…
[Chorus]
And I believe…
And I hope…
Oh, what we will achieve…
With Mark Pope…
He will return us to the promised land,
He’ll do it right, I know he can
I know that there will always be hope.
Hope in Pope
[Bridge]
In the second year, when the water rose
All the haters clapped and all the vocal trolls
Started to say that Pope was doomed to wreck and drown
But all those memories of a year ago, are on my mind, I’m not letting go
I promise Pope is gonna turn it all around
[Chorus]
And I believe…
And I hope…
Oh, what we will achieve…
With Mark Pope…
He will return us to the promised land,
He’ll do it right, I know he can
I know that there will always be hope.
Hope in Pope