Illinois Loyalty is the main school song of the University of Illinois

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...

.

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

Marching Illini

The Marching Illini is the marching band of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Marching Illini is a close-knit organization which annually includes approximately 350 students enrolled in the University of Illinois...

.

The march is now used by several high schools in Illinois and other states—-for example, Batavia (Illinois) High School, Morgan (Utah) High School, Westfield (Wisconsin) 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

Long Beach Polytechnic High School

Long Beach Polytechnic High School, founded in 1895 as Long Beach High School, is a High school located at 1600 Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach, California, United States....

(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

Oskee Wow-Wow

Oskee Wow Wow is the official fight song of the University of Illinois.The song was written in 1911 by two Illinois students, Howard Green and Harold Hill. The school had recently discovered that its official school song, Illinois Loyalty, was not well suited to rousing a crowd during a game.There...

 was written five years later as the school's fight song

Fight song

A fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term, referring to a song associated with a team. In both professional and amateur sports, fight songs are a popular way for fans to cheer for their team...

.

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 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.

See also

• Marching Illini recordings
• Marching Illini
  Marching Illini
  The Marching Illini is the marching band of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Marching Illini is a close-knit organization which annually includes approximately 350 students enrolled in the University of Illinois...