- 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, predated only by the
University of Michigan 's "Victors" in 1898. The song was written by Thacher Howland Guild [T.H. Guild's first name is commonly misspelled 'Thatcher' according to University of Illiois Archivist William J. Maher (e-mail communication of 24 August 2006).] specifically for theMarching Illini .Due to the song's length, 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'sfight song .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 vict'ry 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 your sons and daughters, fighting for you;":"Like men of old, on giants placing reliance, shouting defiance":"Oskee wow-wow!":"Amid the broad green plains 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."
References
* cite web
url = http://web.library.uiuc.edu/ahx/archon/controlcard.php?id=1004
title = Thacher H. Guild Scrapbooks, 1893-1912 (holdings control card)
accessdate = 2006-08-22| author = Staff| work = Holdings Database
publisher = University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Archives "Statement of authorship; note discrepancy in spelling of first name - 'Thacher' vs. 'Thatcher"'
* cite web
url = http://www.bands.uiuc.edu/MI/recording.php?id=7
title = Marching Illini | Recording Info
accessdate = 2006-08-22
author = Ken Wallace
publisher = Marching Ilini, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "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."
* cite web
url = http://umgawa.bands.uiuc.edu/pipermail/fossils/2005-August/000797.html
title = Illinois Loyalty, Homecomming Version
accessdate = 2006-08-22
author = Aaron Osborn
date = 2005-08-08
work = The Fossils Archives (email list archive)
publisher = Marching Illini Baritones, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "Note: contains lyrics to a second verse of "Illinois Loyalty" written specifically for homecoming celebration in 1910"
* cite news
first = Richard |last = Herman
title = From Chancellor Richard Herman |work = UIF Newsletter, Issue 47
publisher = University of Illinois Foundation |page = 2 |date = Summer 2006 "Statement of historical continuity in usage of the song by the University"Notes
ee also
* [http://www.bands.uiuc.edu/MI/recording.php?id=7| Marching Illini recordings]
*Marching Illini
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