Hail! To the victors, valiant ... (Appy State notwithstanding)

The Victors was composed by Michigan student Louis Elbel in 1898 following the last-minute victory over the University of Chicago that clinched a league championship. John Philip Sousa called it "the greatest college fight song ever written."

The last two verses (in bold below) are the ones played all the time. You can hear the Michigan Band play it by clicking here.

Anne Bagamery, senior editor of the International Herald Tribune, doesn't mind life in beautiful Paris. But, says Anne, "Until you've stood in Michigan Stadium on a fall afternoon and heard 104,000 people sing The Victors, you haven't lived." (After its recent expansion, the "Big House" in Ann Arbor now holds 107,501 fans, by far the biggest stadium in the country. No. 2 is Tennessee's Neyland Stadium, with seats for 104,079.)

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 bro't 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 bro't 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!