Illinois Loyalty

"Illinois Loyalty" is the main school song of the University of Illinois.

First performed March 3, 1906, 'Illinois Loyalty' is one of the oldest songs of its kind in the United States. The song was written by Thacher Guild specifically for the Marching Illini.

The march is now used by several high schools in Illinois and other states—-for example, Morton High School(Illinois), Bowie High School (El Paso, TX), Batavia (Illinois) High School, Palatine (Illinois) High School, Morgan (Utah) High School, Havre (Montana) High School, Marshfield (Wisconsin) High School, Medford (Minnesota) High School, Hollywood (California) High School, Grandville (Michigan) High School, Middlesboro (Kentucky) High School Yellow Jackets for their fight song, Webster City (Iowa) High School, and Waverly-Shell Rock (Iowa) High School—as the tune for their fight song; and is the official alma mater of Long Beach Polytechnic High School (California).

Due to the song's length (over a minute long), it is normally played only at the beginning, halftime, and end of a game. However, it is not considered rousing enough for a large crowd at a game. For that reason, Oskee Wow-Wow was written five years later as the school's fight song.

Other prominent composers who wrote marches for the University of Illinois include John Philip Sousa ("University of Illinois March"), Edwin Franko Goldman ("March Illinois") and Karl L. King ("Pride of the Illini").

Lyrics
We're loyal to you, Illinois, We're "Orange and Blue," Illinois, We'll back you to stand 'gainst the best in the land, For we know you have sand, Illinois, Rah! Rah! So crack out that ball, Illinois, We're backing you all, Illinois, Our team is our fame protector, On! boys, for we expect a victory from you, Illinois! Che-he! Che-ha! Che-ha-ha-ha! Go Illini, Go! Che-he! Che-ha! Che-ha-ha-ha! Go Illini, Go! Illinois! Illinois! Illinois! Fling out that dear old flag of Orange and Blue, Lead on our sons and daughters fighting for you; Like men of old, on giants placing reliance, shouting defiance, Oskee-Wow-Wow! Amid the broad green fields that nourish our land, For honest Labor and for Learning we stand, And unto thee we pledge our heart and hand, Dear Alma Mater, Illinois!