The Victors
© Louis Elbel/The Regentsof the University of Michigan
Written 1898
(Audio clip: youtube |
Sheet Music (pdf)
Earliest recording, ca. 1915
Now for a cheer, they are here triumphant!
Here they come with banners flying,
In stalwart step they're nighing,
With shouts of vict'ry crying,
We hurrah, hurrah! We greet you now,
Hail!
Far we their praises sing
For the glory and fame they've brought us,
Loud let the bells then ring,
For here they come with banners flying
Far we their praises sing,
For the glory and fame they;ve brought us;
Loud let the bells then ring,
For here they come with banners flying,
Hurrah!
Hail to the victors valiant!
Hail to the conqu'ring heroes!
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
the leaders and best
Hail to the victors valiant!
Hail to the conq'ring heroes!
Hail! Hail to Michigan,
The champions of the West!
We cheer then again,
We cheer and cheer again
For Michigan, We cheer for Michigan
We cheer with might and main
We cheer, cheer, cheer,
With might and main we cheer!
Hail to the victors valiant!
Hail to the conq'ring heroes!
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
the leaders and best.
Champions of the West!
[Lyrics from 1898 sheet music]
The Yellow and the Blue
© (Charles M. Gayley, M. W Balfe)/
Regents of the University of
Michigan
Written 1889
(Audio Clip: youtube)
Sheet Music (pdf)
Sing to the colors that float in the light;
Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!
Yellow the stars as they ride through the night
And reel in a rollicking crew;
Yellow the field where ripens the grain
And yellow the moon on the harvest wain;
-Hail!
Hail to the colors that float in the light
Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!
Blue are the billows that bow to the sun
When yellow-robed morning is due.
Blue are the curtains that evening has spun
The slumbers of Phoebus to woo;
Blue are the blossoms to memory dear
And blue is the sapphire and gleams like a tear;
-Hail!
Hail to the ribbons that nature has spun;
Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!
Here's to the college whose colors we wear,
Here's to the hearts that are true!
Here's to the maid of the golden hair,
And eyes that are brimming with blue!
Garlands of bluebells and maize intertwine,
And hearts that are true and voices combine;
-Hail!
Hail to the college whose colors we wear;
Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!
For the history of the composition of Michigan's two great songs see:
John Kryk, Natural Enemies : major college football's oldest, fiercest rivalry--Michigan vs. Notre Dame (Lanham, Md. : Taylor Trade
Pub,2004) Who's No. 1? Fight Songs (excerpt from Chapter 11, pp-242-245).
James Tobin, The Birth of "The Yellow and Blue" in Micihigan Today" May 21, 2013.