Bow Down to Washington is the official fight song

Fight song

A fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term, referring to a song associated with a team. In both professional and amateur sports, fight songs are a popular way for fans to cheer for their team...

 of the University of Washington

University of Washington

University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...

. It was written by Lester Wilson in 1915 for a competition requesting a new song for the university; the competition, sponsored by The Daily

The Daily of the University of Washington

The Daily of the University of Washington, usually referred to in Seattle simply as The Daily, is the student newspaper of the University of Washington in Seattle, USA.-History:...

, had a grand prize of US$25 (the equivalent of $485 in 2006). "Bow Down to Washington" was first used as a fight song at the Washington-California

University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...

 football game on November 6, 1915. It is typically played and sung at all University of Washington sporting events at which the University of Washington Husky Marching Band

University of Washington Husky Marching Band

The University of Washington Husky Marching Band is a 240-member ensemble utilizing the traditional Chair step style of marching. The HMB is a year-round ensemble that actively participates in supporting all of the Husky Athletics. Members participate during the fall to help support Husky...

 is present, including all football

American football

American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

, basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

, and volleyball

Volleyball

Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...

 games.

The San Diego Journal stated that, "It is generally agreed that 'Bow Down' is the greatest college fight song."

The original words to Bow Down to Washington included "Dobie, Dobie, pride of Washington! They’re trembling at the feet of mighty Washington!” in respect of the football head coach Gil Dobie

Gil Dobie

Gilmour "Gloomy Gil" Dobie was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at North Dakota Agricultural College—now North Dakota State University , the University of Washington , the United States Naval Academy , Cornell University , and...

.

Students have made several variations on the official lyrics. The phrase It's harder to push them over the line than pass the Dardanelles is often replaced with If you don't go to Washington then you can go to hell. Also, Rah! Rah! Rah! is rarely sung, instead being replaced by F*** Wazzu

Washington State University

Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...

!, a jab at the Huskies' in-state rival. These variations are commonly used at athletic events, regardless of opponent.