Victory for MSU: A Century of Tradition and Spirit in Michigan State's Fight Song
Fight songs are an integral part of college football, embodying the spirit and pride of their respective institutions. Among these, a select few have become deeply embedded in the national consciousness. Michigan State University's "Victory for MSU" stands as a testament to this tradition, with a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. This article explores the origins, evolution, and enduring legacy of "Victory for MSU," the official fight song of Michigan State University.
Genesis of a Spartan Anthem
The story of "Victory for MSU" begins in 1915, when Michigan State University was known as Michigan Agricultural College (M.A.C.). The college was experiencing a surge in football success, fueled by back-to-back upset road victories over the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin in 1913. Inspired by these triumphs, Francis Irving Lankey, a student and yellmaster at M.A.C., sought to create a spirited anthem that could rally the crowd and boost team morale.
Lankey, recognizing the absence of a dedicated fight song for M.A.C., took it upon himself to compose one. He collaborated with his roommate, Arthur L. Sayles, a fellow M.A.C. student from the class of 1915 who was actively involved in cheerleading and campus spirit efforts. Lankey focused on the music, drawing inspiration from the great fight songs of Wisconsin and Michigan, while Sayles primarily penned the lyrics.
From M.A.C. to MSU: Evolution of the Lyrics
The original lyrics of "Victory for MSU" reflected the school's identity as an agricultural college. They emphasized school pride through references to M.A.C.'s agricultural heritage, using terms like "farmers" and "Aggies." The lyrics also contained a specific reference to an American football game against the University of Michigan, with the line "Smash right through that line of blue" referring to the Wolverine defensive line.
Over the years, the lyrics of "Victory for MSU" have undergone several changes to reflect the evolving identity of the university. The most significant adaptations occurred after the school's name change to Michigan State College in 1925 and the adoption of the "Spartans" nickname in 1926. The lyrics were modified to replace "Aggies," "farmers," and "MAC" with "Spartans" and "MSC" (later "MSU" in 1955). The agricultural references were softened to create a more general emphasis on winning. For example, the modern chorus shifts to "Go right through for MSU" and "See their team is weakening," removing direct mentions of Michigan.
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Despite these changes, the core message of the song has remained consistent: to inspire victory and celebrate the spirit of Michigan State University.
Musical Composition and Arrangements
"Victory for MSU" is composed as an upbeat march in the style of traditional college fight songs. The official sheet music arrangements mark it as "Marcia," emphasizing a lively and energetic rhythm suitable for marching bands and vocal performances.
The piece is written in a simple, singable key of G major, which facilitates performance by brass instruments and choirs alike. It features common I-IV-V chord progressions that provide harmonic support for the melody. The structure follows a verse-chorus form typical of early 20th-century fight songs, featuring a repeating chorus that builds to a climactic "Fight! Fight! Rah, team, fight!" refrain, interspersed with a brief breakstrain for dynamic contrast. The original composition is concise, lasting under two minutes when performed at standard tempo. Rhythmic emphasis is placed on dotted quarter notes and strong downbeats in 4/4 time, creating forward momentum at approximately 120 beats per minute, ideal for marching cadences around 120 steps per minute.
Over time, several arrangements of "Victory for MSU" have been created to suit different performance contexts. Two notable arrangements are the Falcone Fight and the Pregame Fight.
Falcone Fight
The Falcone Fight arrangement of "Victory for MSU" was composed by Leonard Falcone, who directed the Michigan State University Bands from 1947 to 1967. This version features the full opening verse, the chorus with a prominent tuba solo, a breakstrain section, and a repeat of the chorus, clocking in at approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds. It is named for its arranger, longtime Spartan Marching Band director Leonard Falcone.
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Pregame Fight
The Pregame Fight arrangement, developed by Bill Moffit during his tenure as assistant band director from 1960 to 1969, offers a more concise adaptation beginning with a breakstrain introduction followed directly by the chorus. This shorter arrangement, about 35 seconds long, only includes the breakstrain (as introduction) and chorus. It is played during the football pregame show, after touchdowns and during game breaks (such as basketball timeouts) when time constraints prevent the full "Falcone" version. A shorter excerpt known as the "C" section, starting from the lyric "See their team is weakening," is frequently isolated for brief, spontaneous uses by the band, such as punctuating key plays during games with quick bursts of enthusiasm.
A Symbol of Spartan Identity
Over more than a century, "Victory for MSU" has become a cornerstone of Spartan identity, embodying the university's winning tradition and unbreakable spirit. The song plays a pivotal role in the intense rivalry between Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, symbolizing the longstanding animosity between the schools. Lyrics such as "Smash right through that line of blue"-a reference to Michigan's maize and blue colors-are reinstated during games against the Wolverines, regardless of the opponent, to honor this archrivalry and heighten the electric atmosphere at Spartan Stadium.
The song's legacy was formally commemorated in 2015 during its centennial celebration, which included a renaming from "MSU Fight Song" to "Victory for MSU," performances by the Spartan Marching Band featuring new formations like a Spartan helmet, and a fan-driven "Virtual Choir" video compiling over 500 submissions from alumni and supporters worldwide.
Enduring Popularity and Recognition
"Victory for MSU" has garnered recognition as one of the premier college fight songs in the United States. In a 2011 power ranking of the top 50 college football fight songs, Bleacher Report placed it at number 6, praising its adaptation from earlier tunes and its enduring spirit.
In the digital era, the song maintains a vibrant presence through streaming platforms, with official videos such as the MSU Sing-Along performance amassing over 500,000 views on YouTube, while alumni-led renditions further extend its reach among global Spartan networks. Its simple, adaptable structure-originally drawn from rival schools' songs and modified over time (e.g., replacing "Aggie" with "Spartan")-has allowed it to evolve while influencing broader traditions in college athletics music.
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The Lyrics
The current lyrics of "Victory for MSU" are as follows:
MSU, we're true to youOur hearts are filled with praiseWe'll fight for green and white todayIn true Spartan ways
Go right through for MSU,Watch the points keep growing,Spartan teams are bound to win,They're fighting with a vim!Rah! Rah! Rah!See their team is weakening,We're going to win this game.Fight! Fight! Rah! Team Fight!
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