The Nittany Lion (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Nittany Lion" is a traditional fight song
played by the Penn State
Blue Band
at football games
and other sporting events. During the pre-game show of home football games at Beaver Stadium
, it is part of the traditional Lion Fanfare and Downfield
. While it is not the official fight song of Penn State
, it is one of the songs most widely associated with the university, and is also incorrectly referred to as "Hail to the Lion". On Fridays and Saturdays, the clock tower in Penn State's Old Main
plays a line of the chorus music at the fifteen minute mark of each hour, and adds a line every 15 minutes until the whole chorus is played on the completion of the hour.
the night before a football game to instant popularity.
The second verse was used prior to 1993, when Penn State was a IA Independent school
. When it joined the Big Ten athletically in 1993, the third verse, The Big Ten verse, was written. Currently the Blue Band performs the first and third verse of The Nittany Lion.
Often when the students sing the song, the women follow the phrase molder of men by shouting AND WOMEN!. However, the men can often be heard shouting "JUST MEN" over the women's shouts
To which they pledge allegiance
But of all the honored idols,
It’s the stately Nittany Lion,
- Chorus -
Hail to the Lion, Loyal and True.
Penn State forever, Molder of men,
There’s Pittsburgh with its Panther,
Dartmouth with its Indian,
There’s Princeton with its Tiger,
But speaking now of victory,
- Chorus -
Indiana has its Hoosiers,
The Wildcats of Northwestern
Ohio State has its Buckeyes,
But the mighty Nittany Lion's,
- Chorus -
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...
played by the Penn State
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
Blue Band
Penn State Blue Band
The Penn State University Marching Blue Band, known generally as the Blue Band, is the marching band of Pennsylvania State University. Founded in 1899, it is the largest recognized student organization at the University Park campus of Penn State, presently with over 300 active student members...
at football games
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
and other sporting events. During the pre-game show of home football games at Beaver Stadium
Beaver Stadium
Beaver Stadium is an outdoor college football stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University. It is home to the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten Conference. The stadium is named for James A...
, it is part of the traditional Lion Fanfare and Downfield
Lion Fanfare and Downfield
"Lion Fanfare and Downfield" is a fight song medley of the Pennsylvania State University. It is performed at the beginning of every football game in which the Penn State Blue Band is present....
. While it is not the official fight song of Penn 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...
, it is one of the songs most widely associated with the university, and is also incorrectly referred to as "Hail to the Lion". On Fridays and Saturdays, the clock tower in Penn State's Old Main
Old Main
Old Main is a term often applied to the original building present on college or university campuses in the United States. The building often serves as home to administrative offices, such as president or provost. The building also serves as a focal point of the institution and common location to...
plays a line of the chorus music at the fifteen minute mark of each hour, and adds a line every 15 minutes until the whole chorus is played on the completion of the hour.
History
"The Nittany Lion" was written by Penn State graduate and former Glee Club member James Leyden between 1922-1924. Professor Hummel Fishburn and Blue Band Bandmaster Tommy Thompson assisted Leyden in finishing the song, which was premiered at a pep rallyPep rally
Pep rallies are events that occur primarily in the United States and Canada. A pep rally is a gathering of people, typically students of middle school, high school and college age, before a sports event. The purpose of such a gathering is to encourage school spirit and to support members of the...
the night before a football game to instant popularity.
The second verse was used prior to 1993, when Penn State was a IA Independent school
NCAA Division I-A independent schools
NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
. When it joined the Big Ten athletically in 1993, the third verse, The Big Ten verse, was written. Currently the Blue Band performs the first and third verse of The Nittany Lion.
Often when the students sing the song, the women follow the phrase molder of men by shouting AND WOMEN!. However, the men can often be heard shouting "JUST MEN" over the women's shouts
Lyrics
Every college has a legend,- Passed on from year to year,
To which they pledge allegiance
- And always cherish dear.
But of all the honored idols,
- There’s but one that stands the test,
It’s the stately Nittany Lion,
- The symbol of our best.
- Chorus -
Hail to the Lion, Loyal and True.
- Hail Alma Mater, with your White and Blue.
Penn State forever, Molder of men,
- Fight for her honor, Fight, and Victory again.
There’s Pittsburgh with its Panther,
- and Penn her Red and Blue,
Dartmouth with its Indian,
- and Yale her Bulldog, too.
There’s Princeton with its Tiger,
- and Cornell with its Bear.
But speaking now of victory,
- We’ll get the Lion’s share.
- Chorus -
Indiana has its Hoosiers,
- Purdue its gold and black.
The Wildcats of Northwestern
- And Spartans on attack.
Ohio State has its Buckeyes,
- Up north the Wolverines.
But the mighty Nittany Lion's,
- The best they’ve ever seen.
- Chorus -
See also
- Penn State Alma MaterPenn State Alma MaterThe "Penn State Alma Mater" is the official alma mater of the The Pennsylvania State University. The song was accepted by the university in 1901.- History :...
, official alma materAlma materAlma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
of Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityThe Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service... - Fight On, StateFight 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...
, official fight songFight songA 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 Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityThe Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
External links
- Mp3 of "The Nittany Lion" at the Penn State Blue Band website
- Mp3 of "The Nittany Lion" at the Penn State Glee Club website