"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!
See also[]
References[]
- Staff. "Thacher H. Guild Scrapbooks, 1893-1912 (holdings control card)". Holdings Database. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Archives. Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. http://web.archive.org/web/20070220164735/http://web.library.uiuc.edu/ahx/archon/controlcard.php?id=1004. Retrieved 2006-08-22. Statement of authorship; note discrepancy in spelling of first name - 'Thacher' vs. 'Thatcher'
- Ken Wallace. "Marching Illini Recording Info". Marching Ilini, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Archived from the original on 2006-09-01. http://web.archive.org/web/20060901085415/http://www.bands.uiuc.edu/MI/recording.php?id=7. Retrieved 2006-08-22. Note: a recording is available linked off of this page; see "Illinois Loyalty" link → http://www.bands.uiuc.edu/MI/media/1997CD/1997-illinoisloyalty.mp3; this is an unverified reference.
- Aaron Osborn (2005-08-08). "Illinois Loyalty, Homecomming Version". The Fossils Archives (email list archive). Marching Illini Baritones, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. http://umgawa.bands.uiuc.edu/pipermail/fossils/2005-August/000797.html. Retrieved 2006-08-22. Note: contains lyrics to a second verse of "Illinois Loyalty" written specifically for homecoming celebration in 1910
- Herman, Richard (Summer 2006). "From Chancellor Richard Herman". UIF Newsletter, Issue 47 (University of Illinois Foundation): p. 2. Statement of historical continuity in usage of the song by the University
External links[]
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