Oskee Wow-Wow
Encyclopedia
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 have long been two versions of the song. Most commonly, it is played "from the hold" at the start of the chorus, when the "O" in "Oskee Wow-Wow" is held out. This version is played after first downs and touchdowns in football
, and leading into time outs in basketball
. Coincidentally, the buzzers at nearly every arena are in the same chord as the hold. The song used to be played "from the top" after an extra point was kicked, but has recently been replaced in favor of "Fight, Illini."
For many years, the band started playing the song "from the top" toward the end of the warmup period in basketball. When conducted correctly, the "hold" is played just as the buzzer sounds.
The song appears to have been written to be played after a touchdown (much like Fight On, State
), as it slows down while being played "from the top" before picking back up after the "hold."
(Chorus)
There is also a second verse, which is rarely sung:
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...
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...
.
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
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...
, was not well suited to rousing a crowd during a game.
There have long been two versions of the song. Most commonly, it is played "from the hold" at the start of the chorus, when the "O" in "Oskee Wow-Wow" is held out. This version is played after first downs and touchdowns in football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, and leading into time outs in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. Coincidentally, the buzzers at nearly every arena are in the same chord as the hold. The song used to be played "from the top" after an extra point was kicked, but has recently been replaced in favor of "Fight, Illini."
For many years, the band started playing the song "from the top" toward the end of the warmup period in basketball. When conducted correctly, the "hold" is played just as the buzzer sounds.
The song appears to have been written to be played after a touchdown (much like Fight On, State
Fight On, State
"Fight On, State" is the official fight song of The Pennsylvania State University. It is most widely known for being played by the Penn State Blue Band after scores at football games, and during the band's pre-game show. It is designed specifically for being played after a touchdown, because it is...
), as it slows down while being played "from the top" before picking back up after the "hold."
Lyrics
- Old Princeton yells her tiger, Wisconsin her Varsity.
- And they give the same old "Rah-rah-rah! at each university.
- But the yell that always thrills me, and fills my heart with joy
- is the good old Oskee-Wow-Wow that they yell at Illinois.
(Chorus)
- Oskee-Wow-Wow, Illinois! Our eyes are all on you.
- Oskee-Wow-Wow, Illinois! Wave your orange and your blue (rah, rah!).
- When the team trots out before you, every man stand up and yell.
- Back the team to gain a victory. Oskee-Wow-Wow, Illinois!
There is also a second verse, which is rarely sung:
- Teddy Roosevelt may be famous, and his name you often hear.
- But it's heroes on the football field each college man holds dear.
- We think with pride of Roberts, Artie Hall and Heavy, too.
- Oskee-Wow-Wow for the wearers of the Orange and the Blue!