“The Victors“ is the fight song of the University of Michigan (UM) written and composed by UM student Louis Elbel in 1898. The song was first played publicly by John Philip Sousa and his band. It was written after Michigan won a last minute, 12 to 11 victory for the “Western Conference title” over University of Chicago in 1898 and on a train ride home to Ann Arbor. Elbel felt the school needed a dignified fight song.
During World War I, both German and French military bands played the song. The U.S. 125th Infantry Band played the song in 1918 as Michigan troops entered captured Germany. Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States often had the Navy Band play The Victors instead of Hail to the Chief prior to state visits and events.
Lyrics courtesy of University of Michigan (most of us only learned the chorus section):
The Victors
© (L.Elbel)/Regents of the University of MichiganNow for a cheer they are here,
triumphant!
Here they come with banners flying,
In stalwart step they’re nighing,
With shouts of vict’ry crying,
We hurrah, hurrah, we greet you now,
Hail!
Far we their praises sing
For the glory and fame they’ve bro’t us
Loud let the bells them ring
For here they come with banners flying
Far we their praises tell
For the glory and fame they’ve bro’t us
Loud let the bells them ring
For here they come with banners flying
Here they come, Hurrah!
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan
the leaders and best
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
the champions of the West!
We cheer them again
We cheer and cheer again
For Michigan, we cheer for Michigan
We cheer with might and main
We cheer, cheer, cheer
With might and main we cheer!
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
the champions of the West!
Bet you hope to hear that play on January at the National Championship game.
I sure do!