Links about Illinois Songs
About the Songs of the University of Illinois
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has several traditional songs that students, alumni and friends have enjoyed for generations. Here are a few facts about them:
- “Pride of the Illini,” written by Karl King expressly for the Illinois Bands, was published in 1928. [1]
- First school song – Illinois Loyalty was first performed March 3, 1906 [1]
- The song “Fight, Illini” was composed in 1921 and sung at the stadium dedication in 1924. The text of the song (pdf, 86KB), reprinted from the 1923 Dedication Homecoming Program, seems to link the term to ideals of wartime service and courage. [2]
- The Illinois state song, with lyrics and composer can be found here: https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/About/StateSong.aspx
[1]. The Marching Illini website: http://marchingillini.com/tradition/
[2]. The University Archives’ blog post on the Fighting Illini: https://archives.library.illinois.edu/blog/fighting-illini-name/
Pictures from the University of Illinois Songs Exhibit
Items in collection
- Illini Song Book byCall Number: M1958.I4 I44Publication Date: 1926Hail to the orange / arr. by J.L. Erb -- We're loyal to you, Illinois / words and music by T.H. Guild -- Oskee-wow-wow / H.R. Green ; R.V. Hill -- Cheer Illini / Howard R. Green ; Harold V. Hill -- For good old Illinois / words and music by Vernon F. Stevens -- By the rivers gently flowing / Walter Howe Jones -- Fight Illini / music by Rose Oltrasky ; words by Sam Raphaelson -- Pride of the Illini (March) / words by R.F. Dvorak ; music by Karl L. King -- Loyal sons of Illinois / lyrics by G.V. Buchanan ; music by Bill Donahue -- The Illinois sunset song / words by S.S. Colvin ; melody by F.K.W. Drury ; harmonized by O.W. Schreiber.
- Stadium Vibrations byCall Number: DISC M1200U546 S78Publication Date: 198-University of Illinois Marching Illini ; Gary Smith, conductor ; Bill Olson, announcer.
Contents:
Stadium entrance / arr. Wilbur England --
Revised entrance #3 (Illinois state song) ; Three in one (chief's music) ; Oskee wow wow / arr. Jim Curnow --
Eye of the tiger / arr. Allan Horney --
My heart belongs to me / arr. Gary Langford --
Chariots of fire ; All right, O.K., you win / arr. Allan Horney --
Calypso / arr. Art Travarthen --
Spanish dreams / arr. Allan Horney --
Ai no corrida / arr. Les Taylor --
Circus medley ; Barnum & Bailey's favorite / arr. Allan Horney --
Sneakin' out of the stadium / arr. Folklore --
Illinois loyalty / arr. Jim Curnow --
Percussion solo / arr. Dave Flynn & Dale Hallerberg. - University of Illinois Marching Illini byCall Number: M1270U64 U6Publication Date: 1986Revised entrance #3 (2:16) -- Patriotic medley (2:33) -- Yankee Doodle (1:52) -- William Tell (0:45) -- Oskee wow wow (1:01) -- Three in one (4:03) -- Drum cadences/Illinois loyalty (4:50) -- NBC chimes festival (2:24) -- I go to Rio (1:31) -- Percussion feature (1:23) -- I've got rhythm (2:17) -- Elk's parade (2:27) -- Channel one suite (4:05) -- Twist and shout (1:34).