FSU Hymns

The following are the alma mater, hymn, and fight song of Florida State University.

Alma Mater - "High Over Towering Pines"

High over towering pines our voices swell,
Praising those Gothic spires, we love so well.
Here sons and daughters stand, faithful and true,
Hailing our alma mater, F.S.U. [Song is in Public Domain, Published prior to 1923.]

"Hymn To the Garnet and Gold"

J. Dayton Smith's "The Hymn to the Garnet and the Gold" was arranged by Charlie Carter in 1958 as an ending to the Homecoming show, and the traditions associated with the hymn began. [ [http://www.marchingchiefs.fsu.edu/history-landing.html FSU Marching Chiefs ] ] While this song did not make it as the official alma mater it still is sung in reverence by those at FSU.

"FSU Fight Song"

The 1950 Homecoming half-time show included a dedication ceremony naming the stadium in honor of university President Doak Campbell. There was also a special performance by the band, christening it the Marching Chiefs and premiering the "FSU Fight Song." Student Doug Alley wrote the lyrics to the fight song and Thomas Wright, Professor of Music, composed the score.

Thomas Wright grants rights to the song in exchange for two season tickets every year. [cite web|url=http://mailer.fsu.edu/~abrady/FSU/scene5.swf |title=Florida State University - Fight Song (lyrics by Doug Alley, music by Thomas Wright)' |accessdate=2007-05-25] [cite web|url=http://community-2.webtv.net/@HH!9F!3E!646186E66FF9/The-Johnz/THEHISTORYOFTHEWAR/ |title=The History of the War Chant |accessdate=2007-05-28]

Fifty years later, the FSU Fight Song is one of the most widely recognized college tunes in the country. Mission Control used the Fight Song to awaken alumnus and current professor Norm Thagard one morning in 1983 while he was aboard the "Challenger" spacecraft. Wherever played -- and especially when performed live by the Marching Chiefs-the Fight Song stirs Seminole pride in alumni and fans. [ [http://www.fsu.edu/~fsu150/history/history_04_1947e.html FSU 150th Anniversary - History || Co-Education Returns || Fight Song ] ]

References