On, Wisconsin!
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"On, Wisconsin!" is the fight song of the Wisconsin Badgers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is also the official state song of Wisconsin.
"On, Wisconsin!" was also the cry that Arthur MacArthur, Jr. used in the Battle of Chattanooga at Missionary Ridge, in the Civil War.
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[edit] History of the song
The tune was composed in 1909 by William T. Purdy, with the intention of entering it into a competition for a new fight song at the University of Minnesota.
Carl Beck, a former University of Wisconsin-Madison student, convinced him to withdraw it from the contest at the last minute and allow his alma mater to use it instead. Beck went on to write the original, football-oriented lyrics, changing the words "Minnesota, Minnesota" to "On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!" [1] (The eventual winner of the competition became known as the Minnesota Rouser).
"On, Wisconsin!" was regarded as "the finest of college marching songs" by John Philip Sousa.
The lyrics were rewritten for the state song in 1913 by Judge Charles D. Rosa and J. S. Hubbard. The song was widely recognized as the state song at that time, but was never officially designated. Finally in 1959, "On, Wisconsin!" was codified in Chapter 170, Laws of 1959, and is incorporated in Section 1.10 of the statutes.
Although there are persistent rumors that the rights to the song are owned by Paul McCartney or Michael Jackson (this has even been reported by the Christian Science Monitor [2]), the song is actually in the public domain. [3]
[edit] Battle Cry
"On, Wisconsin!" was the cry that Arthur MacArthur, Jr. used in the Battle of Chattanooga at Missionary Ridge, in the Civil War. He seized the regimental colors, and rallied his regiment with "On, Wisconsin!", for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
[edit] University of Wisconsin lyrics
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Plunge right through that line!
Run the ball clear down the field, boys
touchdown sure this time. (U rah rah)
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Fight on for her fame
Fight! Badgers! - fight, fight, fight!
We'll win this game.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Stand up, Badgers, sing!
"Forward" is our driving spirit,
Loyal voices ring.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Raise her glowing flame
Stand, Fellows, let us now
Salute her name!
[edit] State Lyrics
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Grand old badger state!
We, thy loyal sons and daughters,
Hail thee good and great.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Champion of the right,
"Forward!", our motto -
God will give thee might!
[edit] Other Uses
The tune was adapted by bandleader Dal Richards as a fight song for the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders, appearing on the 1968 album "Canadian Football Songs." [4]
It is also widely used by high schools and other colleges.
An instrumental version of the song was used in the 1973 Disney animated film Robin Hood. During the fight scene where the music is played, Friar Tuck (portrayed as a badger) is cheering loudly.
A short clip (the first four bars) of the song can be heard in the Beach Boy's hit song "Be True to Your School" about 1:05 minutes in.
On Wisconsin's tune is used by many high school bands as its fight song, including Piedmont High School.
[edit] External links
- Wisconsin State Song, from Wisconsin.gov
- History of song from University of Wisconsin Marching Band website
- Article on "On Wisconsin!" from the Capital Times newspaper
- MP3 file of "On, Wisconsin!" played by the University of Wisconsin Marching Band
- On Wisconsin!. Original sheet music maintained at UW Mills Music Library Special Collections and presented online as part of the Wisconsin Sheet Music Database.
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