Victory for MSU


"Victory for MSU", formerly "MSU Fight Song", is the official fight song of Michigan State University, US. MSU's fight song was created in early 1915, when MSU was known as Michigan Agricultural College. An MSU cheerleader, Francis Irving Lankey, along with lyricist Arthur Sayles, created the song. With several changes noted below, the school has used the same song ever since. The MSU Fight Song is played at all university sporting events and is frequently sung by students and alumni.
It has been ranked as the #6 best college fight song by the BleacherReport and called one of the NCAA's best fight songs by ESPN.

History

Prior to having a fight song, the MSU fans would sing the opponent's fight song being with its first victory over the University of Michigan in 1913. The next week, MSU defeated Wisconsin, it crown the win with “On Wisconsin.” In 1915, "MSU Fight Song" was written by Arthur Sayles and composed by Francis Irving Lanke.
Upon the song's 100th anniversary, it was officially renamed from the "MSU Fight Song" to "Victory for MSU", which are the last three words of the song.

Lyrics

Lankey's original lyrics reflected the school's role as an agricultural college, as well as its rivalry with the University of Michigan. The lyrics have since been changed several times. The lyrics had to be modified when the school changed its nickname from the "Aggies" to the Spartans. In addition, whereas the original lyrics were written for an American football game against Michigan, the modern lyrics can be used for any opponent in any sport.
During football games, fans switch the lyrics from the current "Go right through for MSU" back to the former line, “Smash right through that line of blue"–a jab at Michigan.

Versions

Two arrangements of the fight song are played.