On Wisconsin

As the year winds to an end, it is always sad to see the seniors in the band graduate and move on. We have all grown so close with the hours of practice and hundreds of events performed at each year. I try to tell myself to enjoy my time in the band as it lasts, as I know I will miss it dearly. For the band alumni and the student alumni, nothing connects us with our time spent at the university better than music. While new members continuously join the band, and many graduate, the music of the band never changes. It withstands the test of time, and that is why it will continue to connect us all once we move on from the university. The following excerpts explain the history behind the music of Wisconsin. For more information on the history of the band and the traditions at Wisconsin, visit badgerband.com.

On Wisconsin is not only the University "fight song," but it has also been designated as the official State Song of Wisconsin. It is undoubtedly one of the most popular school songs in the country and has been adopted by thousands of high school bands as their own. It is rare to attend a high school football game anywhere in the U.S. and not hear On Wisconsin being performed by at least one of the school bands.

The melody of this famous song was composed in 1909 by W.T. Purdy, a corporation clerk who prior to that time had never set foot in Wisconsin. The words were supplied by Carl Beck, a former University of Wisconsin student. In the parlor of a Chicago boarding house, it took them only several evenings to compose. The pair (who worked for $10 per day each) couldn't scare up the $50 it took to publish the tune. They got a $10 credit from a firm of music plate engravers, used the credit for reference at the printers, and had 500 copies hastily printed.

Written accounts of the earliest performances of On Wisconsin reveal that the first performance occurred on November 10, 1909, when it was sung by the "Glee Club." Purdy performed the song November 11, 1909, at a giant pep rally before the Minnesota game. The song was an instant hit with students singing "Fight fellows, fight, fight, fight, we'll win this game." It was also reported that the UW Band performed the song at the Minnesota game on November 13, 1909.

Over the years many other memorable "events" have happened with On Wisconsin. In 1918, Purdy sold his copyright for less than $100. On July 11, 1959, On WisconsinOn Wisconsin was adopted by the state legislature and signed by Governor Gaylord Nelson as the official state song. Many rumors swirl as to who owns the rights to ranging from Michael Jackson to Paul McCartney. The song is considered to be in the public domain.

John Philip Sousa has called On Wisconsin, "the finest of college marching songs." Traditions such as this make On Wisconsin a personal university to faculty, students, and alumni everywhere.

Over the years, the Wisconsin Band has presented many versions of On Wisconsin. We give you two versions for your listening pleasure.

Lyrics

On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Plunge right through that line!
Run the ball clear down the field,
(originally "Run the ball clear 'round Chicago")
A touchdown sure this time.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Fight on for her fame
Fight! Fellows! - fight, fight, fight!
We'll win this game.

On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Stand up, Badgers, sing!
"Forward" is our driving spirit,
Loyal voices ring.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Raise her glowing flame
Stand, Fellows, let us now
Salute her name!

Varsity For nearly a century this song of praise (originally a Latin Hymn entitled Domine Salvam Fac written by the famous French operatic composer, Charles Gounod) has held a special place in the hearts of Wisconsin students, fans, and alumni. It was in 1898 that Henry Dyke Sleeper, a young instructor in the University's School of Music, adapted Gounod's original work, arranged the music, provided words, and published the new version of the song he called Varsity Toast. Today it is impossible to attend an official university function without hearing those simple but stirring strains. In 1934, Wisconsin Band Director, Ray Dvorak, introduced the now famous "arm swinging" which has made performance of this alma mater one of the most thrilling "sights" as well as sounds to be found in any stadium in the world.

Lyrics

Varsity! Varsity!
U-rah-rah! Wisconsin,
Praise to thee we sing!
Praise to thee, our Alma Mater,
U-rah-rah! Wisconsin!

Songs To Thee Wisconsin is one of the best loved songs in the Wisconsin songbook and it is a melody which never fails to stir emotion in the loyal Badger alumni and fans. The music for Songs To Thee Wisconsin was composed by Louis Spohr (1784 - 1859), a German violinist and composer who considered himself an ardent disciple of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Spohr was a prolific composer who wrote oratorios, symphonies, concertos and chamber music. He wrote the melody which is used for Songs To Thee Wisconsin around 1853 calling it Proudly as the Eagle. The words were written by E. A. Bredin, who adopted it for Wisconsin. Although traditionally only one verse is sung, Bredin composed three verses to the Spohr melody. This song is played by the band during pre-game immediately after the concert tune.

The Wisconsin Band presents Songs To Thee Wisconsin in various versions throughout the year. Here are two of those.

Lyrics

Songs to thee Wisconsin, ever let us sing,
Praise to alma mater, ever let us bring.
Queen of all the west, college we love best
Queen of all the west, college we love best

May thy sons and daughters in thy jubilee
See the dawn of greater, grander things to be.
May thou e'er inspire, heav'nly wisdom's fire.
May thou e'er inspire, heav'nly wisdom's fire.

May we ever cherish memories of thee,
See the dawn of greater, grander things to be.
Queen of all the west, college we love best
Queen of all the west, college we love best

On Wisconsin Finale

Since 1976, the Wisconsin Band has concluded their final home half-time show of the season in the same manner ... with the On Wisconsin Finale. The music and the movements for this tradition stem from the finale of a production first presented on November 17, 1973, which was entitled "The Band Goes Abroad." Since then the Band has used the arrangement as a musical signature not only for the final home game, but also for a number of significant yearly events, including the annual Spring Concert.

The routine remains basically unchanged. While playing a maestoso version of On Wisconsin, the Band moves into a series of vertical lines. On cue, the lines flow rapidly into the letters ON WIS. As the arrangement nears its conclusion, the musicians high-step toward the audience. There is a long drum roll and a knee bow as the public address announcer assures: "We never say goodbye ... simply we'll see you next year ... and ON WISCONSIN!"

The finale never fails to elicit a standing ovation from the partisan Badger crowd and a very emotional reaction from all the graduating seniors who have just marched for the last time in Camp Randall Stadium.