Bow Down to Washington
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Bow Down to Washington is the official fight song of the University of Washington. It was written by Lester Wilson in 1915 for a competition requesting a new song for the university; the competition, sponsored by The Daily, had a grand prize of US$25 (the equivalent of $485 in 2006). "Bow Down to Washington" was first used as a fight song at the Washington-California football game on November 6, 1915. It is typically played and sung at all University of Washington sporting events at which the University of Washington Husky Marching Band is present, including all football, basketball, and volleyball games.
[edit] Lyrics
The lyrics have changed significantly since the song was originally written, with most of the major changes occurring by 1937. The lyrics below are the ones most commonly sung and published currently.
Bow down to Washington,
Bow down to Washington,
Mighty are the men
Who wear the purple and the gold,
Joyfully we welcome them
Within the victors fold.
We will carve their names (names!)
In the Hall of Fame (fame!)
To preserve the memory of our devotion.
So heaven help the foes of Washington;
They're trembling at the feet
Of mighty Washington,
Our boys are there with bells (bells!),
Their fighting blood excels (excels!),
It's harder to push them over the line
Than pass the Dardanelles.
So victory's the cry of Washington
Our leather lungs together
With a Rah! Rah! Rah!
And o'er the land
The loyal band
Will sing the glory
Of Washington forever.
The original words to Bow Down to Washington included "Dobie, Dobie, pride of Washington! They’re trembling at the feet of mighty Washington!” in respect of the football head coach Gil Dobie.
[edit] External links
Fightmusic.com's Pac10 page includes an MP3 of Bow Down to Washington among other material
[edit] References
- Husky Spirit Songs
- University of Washington Library page about "Bow Down"
- Columns Magazine article on Lester Wilson
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