I'm a Jayhawk

I'm a Jayhawk is the fight song of the University of Kansas.

History

The original lyrics and music were written by George "Dumpy" Bowles in 1912. The lyrics to the song are generally not sung, instead fans do a specific clap as the KU band plays the melody. The university bands do not play the intro, but only play the chorus of the song.

The song was updated in 1958 to reflect the teams of the Big 8 Conference. The lyrics were rewritten again in 2010 to account for the departure of Nebraska and Colorado from the Big 12 Conference.[1] The school has elected to not rewrite the lyrics following the departure of Texas A&M and Missouri from the league.

Lyrics

The official lyrics to "I'm A Jayhawk!" are as listed below.[1]

Lyrics

Talk about the Sooners
The Cowboys and the Bears,
Aggies and the Tiger and his tail,
Talk about the Wildcats,
and the Cyclone boys,
But I'm the bird to make 'em weep and wail.

CHORUS:
'Cause I'm a Jay, Jay,
Jay, Jay, Jayhawk,
Up at Lawrence on the Kaw
'Cause I'm a Jay, Jay,
Jay, Jay, Jayhawk,
With a sis-boom, hip hoorah.
Got a bill that's big enough
To twist the Tiger's tail
Rope some horns and listen
To the Red Raiders wail.
'Cause I'm a Jay, Jay,
Jay, Jay, Jayhawk,
Riding on a Kansas gale.

Big 8 Lyrics

The lyrics before the 2010 update are listed below: [2]

Lyrics

Talk about the Sooners
The Cowboys and the Buffs,
Talk about the Tiger and his tail,
Talk about the Wildcats,
and those Cornhuskin' boys,
But I'm the bird to make 'em weep and wail.

CHORUS:
'Cause I'm a Jay, Jay,
Jay, Jay, Jayhawk,
Up at Lawrence on the Kaw
'Cause I'm a Jay, Jay,
Jay, Jay, Jayhawk,
With a sis-boom, hip hoorah.
Got a bill that's big enough
To twist the Tiger's tail
Husk some corn and listen
To the Cornhusker's wail.
'Cause I'm a Jay, Jay,
Jay, Jay, Jayhawk,
Riding on a Kansas gale.

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Birth of the songs". The University of Kansas. Retrieved 2014-08-08.
  2. "Fight Song Lyrics" (PDF). KU Alumni Association. Retrieved 2014-08-08.