The Victors

Hail to the Victors! The beautiful fight song of The University of Michigan (and greatest fight song of all-time, in my bias opinion). I have heard this song more than any other song throughout my life, literally thousands of times and I still get just as excited upon hearing it as the first time it ever reached my ears. As an alumni, this song will hold just a little more meaning (who thought that was possible).

The true beauty of this song is that it brings people together, links people together. A crowd of over 100,000 each Saturday in the fall will sing this song at the top of their lungs many times throughout a football game, while those watching from home or a bar will do the same. Father’s and sons that may not have much to talk about, can hear this song and it will conjure up memories of a game they had both watched together to spark up a conversation.

Well done Louis Elbel, this masterpiece you created as a student in 1898 has become a staple at The University of Michigan and in my household. In fact, I am going to play it for my boys this very minute! Hail!

University of Michigan
“The Victors”

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 them ring
For here they come with banners flying
Far we their praises tell
For the glory and fame they’ve brought us
Loud let the bells them ring
For here they come with banners flying
Here they come, 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 conqu’ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
The champions of the West!

We cheer them 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!