Across the Field
Encyclopedia
Across the Field is one of several fight songs of The Ohio State University
and the oldest one still in current use. Though the lyrics reference football heroics and was composed by the football team's varsity manager, the song is used by Buckeye
teams of all sports. The song first appeared before the October 16, 1915 game against Illinois
.
From The Ohio State University Marching Band
's original web-site, as given by Nick Metrowsky: "In 1915, OSU student William A. Dougherty, Jr., set out to write the perfect fight song for his alma mater. While Carmen Ohio
was already firmly in place as OSU's school song, Dougherty felt that something more exciting was needed for pep rallies and football games. And so Fight the Team Across the Field was born."
It is not played after touchdowns; that distinction is reserved for Buckeye Battle Cry
.
This song has been adapted by many other universities and high schools in the United States.
Show them Ohio's here.
Set the earth reverberating
With a mighty cheer.
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Hit them hard and see how they fall;
Never let that team get the ball.
Hail! Hail! The gang's all here,
So let's win that old conf'rence now!
Break Strain Lyrics:
Oh, Ohio! (Go Ohio, Go!)
Oh, Ohio! (Go Ohio, Go!)
Wahoo! Wahoo! for Ohio!
In the music as originally published, the first three words of the song are "Fight that team", rather than "Fight the team". The final line, "Let's win that old conf'rence now" is also absent in the original, which offers four alternate endings for different opponents (Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern, and Wisconsin).
In the break strain, the words "Go Ohio, go!" are not part of the published lyrics, but they are often added following the rhythm of the band. Alternatively, the words "We're all a bunch of nuts!" are said in this same spot, referring to Ohio State's nickname, the buckeyes. The Men's Glee Club will add "We're not a bunch of bums!" in this spot. Similarly, in the main verse the syllables "We've got the team why don't we" are sometimes interpolated to mimic the eighth-note figure played in the bass before "Set the earth reverberating."
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
and the oldest one still in current use. Though the lyrics reference football heroics and was composed by the football team's varsity manager, the song is used by Buckeye
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
teams of all sports. The song first appeared before the October 16, 1915 game against Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The University offers 10 men's and 11 women's varsity sports....
.
From The Ohio State University Marching Band
The Ohio State University Marching Band
The Ohio State University Marching Band performs at Ohio State football games and other events during the fall quarter...
's original web-site, as given by Nick Metrowsky: "In 1915, OSU student William A. Dougherty, Jr., set out to write the perfect fight song for his alma mater. While Carmen Ohio
Carmen Ohio
"Carmen Ohio" is the oldest school song still used by Ohio State University. The song was composed by freshman Fred Cornell on the train ride home from Ann Arbor, Michigan, after Ohio State suffered an 86-0 loss to the University of Michigan Wolverines...
was already firmly in place as OSU's school song, Dougherty felt that something more exciting was needed for pep rallies and football games. And so Fight the Team Across the Field was born."
It is not played after touchdowns; that distinction is reserved for Buckeye Battle Cry
Buckeye Battle Cry
Buckeye Battle Cry, composed by vaudeville performer and songwriter Frank Crumit, is one of two fight songs of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Every football game in Ohio Stadium begins with Ramp entrance by The Ohio State University Marching Band, performed to Buckeye Battle Cry. The tradition of Script...
.
This song has been adapted by many other universities and high schools in the United States.
Lyrics
Fight the team across the field,Show them Ohio's here.
Set the earth reverberating
With a mighty cheer.
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Hit them hard and see how they fall;
Never let that team get the ball.
Hail! Hail! The gang's all here,
So let's win that old conf'rence now!
Break Strain Lyrics:
Oh, Ohio! (Go Ohio, Go!)
Oh, Ohio! (Go Ohio, Go!)
Wahoo! Wahoo! for Ohio!
In the music as originally published, the first three words of the song are "Fight that team", rather than "Fight the team". The final line, "Let's win that old conf'rence now" is also absent in the original, which offers four alternate endings for different opponents (Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern, and Wisconsin).
In the break strain, the words "Go Ohio, go!" are not part of the published lyrics, but they are often added following the rhythm of the band. Alternatively, the words "We're all a bunch of nuts!" are said in this same spot, referring to Ohio State's nickname, the buckeyes. The Men's Glee Club will add "We're not a bunch of bums!" in this spot. Similarly, in the main verse the syllables "We've got the team why don't we" are sometimes interpolated to mimic the eighth-note figure played in the bass before "Set the earth reverberating."