Hail! Minnesota
Encyclopedia
"Hail! Minnesota" is the state song of Minnesota
, and a variation is used as a school song
of the University of Minnesota
. It originated at the university in the early 1900s when some students decided to honor their graduating class with a new song. In 1945, the Minnesota State Legislature approved the tune as the state song.
, who went by the nickname "Prexy". Northrop appreciated the gesture, but preferred to have the song reflect the school and state rather than himself. A new second verse was written by Arthur Upson
, an editor at the campus newspaper, the Minnesota Daily
.
In the next few years, the song gained popularity, and was even sung at football
games whenever there was a touchdown
. However, the slow ballad proved to be incongruous with the atmosphere at an athletic event like that, so it was eventually succeeded in that role by The "Minnesota Rouser
." Rickard also went on to write another school song, "Minnesota Fight
."
The University of Minnesota Marching Band
sings the song at the end of every practice and performance, so Golden Gopher
football fans who stay for the band's post-game performance can hear the song.
Older generations of Minnesota children were commonly taught the song in school, but many younger Minnesotans are unaware of it. However, it is being promoted again as part of the state sesquicentennial celebration. The Mahtomedi High School Chamber Singers made an official recording of it in 2006 for the Secretary of State. It is to be sung again by the Mahtomedi High School Varsity Choir at the pregame for Minnesota's sole professional lacrosse team, the Minnesota Swarm
, on January 29, 2011.
Hail! Minnesota as performed by the University of Minnesota Marching Band
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, and a variation is used as a school song
School song
A school song, alma mater, school hymn or school anthem is the patronal song of a school. In England, this tradition is particularly strong in public schools and grammar schools.-Australia:*Melbourne High School - Honour the Work...
of the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. It originated at the university in the early 1900s when some students decided to honor their graduating class with a new song. In 1945, the Minnesota State Legislature approved the tune as the state song.
History
The song was first composed by Truman Rickard in 1904 and was performed on Class Day, May 28. The songs second verse originally honored the school's president, Cyrus NorthropCyrus Northrop
Cyrus Northrop was an American university president.He was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He graduated from Yale University in 1857 and at the law school there in 1859. Two years later he was appointed clerk of the Connecticut House of Representatives and in 1862 clerk of the Senate...
, who went by the nickname "Prexy". Northrop appreciated the gesture, but preferred to have the song reflect the school and state rather than himself. A new second verse was written by Arthur Upson
Arthur Upson
Arthur Wheelock Upson was an American poet. He was born in Camden, New York on January 10, 1877 to Spencer Johnson Upson and Julia Claflin. His family moved from New York to Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1894, with Upson entering the University of Minnesota with the class of 1898. There, he served as...
, an editor at the campus newspaper, the Minnesota Daily
Minnesota Daily
The Minnesota Daily is the campus newspaper of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, published Monday-Thursday while school is in session, and published weekly on Wednesdays during summer sessions. Published since 1900, the paper is one of the largest student-run and student-written newspapers...
.
In the next few years, the song gained popularity, and was even sung at football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
games whenever there was a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. However, the slow ballad proved to be incongruous with the atmosphere at an athletic event like that, so it was eventually succeeded in that role by The "Minnesota Rouser
Minnesota Rouser
The "Minnesota Rouser" is the fight song of the University of Minnesota. It is played at all Minnesota Golden Gophers games.-History:It was the subject of a 1909 contest held by the Minnesota Daily and the Minneapolis Tribune to write a suitable song for Minnesota football games, to replace the...
." Rickard also went on to write another school song, "Minnesota Fight
Minnesota Fight
"Minnesota Fight" is one of several school songs of the University of Minnesota. Responding to a 1925 contest to find an additional fight song for the school, University graduate Truman E. Rickard entered a piece entitled "Minnesota! Let's Go!". Rickard shared the contest's hundred-dollar prize...
."
The University of Minnesota Marching Band
University of Minnesota Marching Band
The University of Minnesota Marching Band is the marching band of the University of Minnesota...
sings the song at the end of every practice and performance, so Golden Gopher
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and...
football fans who stay for the band's post-game performance can hear the song.
Older generations of Minnesota children were commonly taught the song in school, but many younger Minnesotans are unaware of it. However, it is being promoted again as part of the state sesquicentennial celebration. The Mahtomedi High School Chamber Singers made an official recording of it in 2006 for the Secretary of State. It is to be sung again by the Mahtomedi High School Varsity Choir at the pregame for Minnesota's sole professional lacrosse team, the Minnesota Swarm
Minnesota Swarm
Minnesota Swarm is a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota....
, on January 29, 2011.
State version
- Minnesota, Hail to Thee!
- Hail to Thee, our state so dear,
- Thy light shall ever be
- A beacon bright and clear.
- Thy sons and daughters true
- Will proclaim Thee near and far.
- They shall guard Thy fame and adore Thy name;
- Thou shalt be their Northern Star!
- Like the stream that bends to sea,
- Like the pine that seeks the blue;
- Minnesota, still for Thee
- Thy sons are strong and true!
- From Thy woods and waters fair,
- From Thy prairies waving far.
- At Thy call they throng with a shout and song;
- Hailing Thee their Northern Star!
University version
- Minnesota, Hail to Thee!
- Hail to Thee, our College dear!
- Thy light shall ever be
- A beacon bright and clear.
- Thy sons and daughters true
- Will proclaim Thee near and far.
- They will guard Thy fame
- And adore Thy name;
- Thou shalt be their Northern Star!
- Hail to Thee our PrexyCyrus NorthropCyrus Northrop was an American university president.He was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He graduated from Yale University in 1857 and at the law school there in 1859. Two years later he was appointed clerk of the Connecticut House of Representatives and in 1862 clerk of the Senate...
, Sire, - Thou hast made us all Thine own,
- And our hearts one boon aspire.
- That our love may be Thy throne.
- Throughout our future years
- Naught can e'er Thy memory mar.
- We will guard Thy fame
- And adore Thy name,
- Thou shalt be our Northern Star.
External links
- Minnesota Secretary of State with sheet music and recording.
Hail! Minnesota as performed by the University of Minnesota Marching Band