Oil Thigh
Encyclopedia
The Oil Thigh is the name given to the anthem and fight song
of Queen's University
and its sports teams, the Queen's Gaels
. Although the song's official title is Queen's College Colours, it is almost universally referred to by the first words of the Gaelic chorus.
", from oil "educate, rear", which is from Old Irish ail- and taigh "house" (older spelling tigh) plus lenition
. It is usually spelt as a single word in modern orthography.
warcry, by three Gaelic-speaking students: Donald Cameron, F.A. McRae, and another called MacLean, whose first name is not known. The rest of the song was written in 1898 by a student, Alfred Lavell, with the title and The Queen's College Colours after a disappointing loss to the University of Toronto
in order to inspire the team. Currently, however, the second, third and fourth verses are rarely sung. In 1985 the original "Boys, go in and win" was changed to "Gaels, go in and win" to make the text gender neutral.
The song is often heard sung by students and alumni when the home team scores a point, goal, touchdown, etc. and at other school events. It is usually sung while forming a chain by linking arms behind each other's backs and performing a low-kicking can-can
. The 1892 version uses the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic/John Brown's Body
.
Additional stanzas that have fallen out of popular use made reference to historic victories over Yale University
, rival McGill University
, and the University of Toronto
.
Chorus
Translation
2
3
4
5
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 Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
and its sports teams, the Queen's Gaels
Queen's Golden Gaels
The Queen's Gaels are the athletic teams that represent Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Team colours are blue, red, and gold. Its main home is Richardson Memorial Stadium on West Campus....
. Although the song's official title is Queen's College Colours, it is almost universally referred to by the first words of the Gaelic chorus.
Etymology
Oilthigh (ˈɤlhɪ) is the Scottish Gaelic for "universityUniversity
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
", from oil "educate, rear", which is from Old Irish ail- and taigh "house" (older spelling tigh) plus lenition
Lenition
In linguistics, lenition is a kind of sound change that alters consonants, making them "weaker" in some way. The word lenition itself means "softening" or "weakening" . Lenition can happen both synchronically and diachronically...
. It is usually spelt as a single word in modern orthography.
History
The chorus was originally written in 1891 as part of a longer GaelicScottish Gaelic language
Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language native to Scotland. A member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages, Scottish Gaelic, like Modern Irish and Manx, developed out of Middle Irish, and thus descends ultimately from Primitive Irish....
warcry, by three Gaelic-speaking students: Donald Cameron, F.A. McRae, and another called MacLean, whose first name is not known. The rest of the song was written in 1898 by a student, Alfred Lavell, with the title and The Queen's College Colours after a disappointing loss to the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in order to inspire the team. Currently, however, the second, third and fourth verses are rarely sung. In 1985 the original "Boys, go in and win" was changed to "Gaels, go in and win" to make the text gender neutral.
The song is often heard sung by students and alumni when the home team scores a point, goal, touchdown, etc. and at other school events. It is usually sung while forming a chain by linking arms behind each other's backs and performing a low-kicking can-can
Can-can
The can-can is a high-energy and physically demanding music hall dance, traditionally performed by a chorus line of female dancers who wear costumes with long skirts, petticoats, and black stockings...
. The 1892 version uses the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic/John Brown's Body
John Brown's Body
"John Brown's Body" is an American marching song about the abolitionist John Brown. The song was popular in the Union during the American Civil War. The tune arose out of the folk hymn tradition of the American camp meeting movement of the 19th century...
.
Additional stanzas that have fallen out of popular use made reference to historic victories over Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, rival McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
, and the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
.
Lyrics
1- Queen's College colours we are wearing once again,
- Soiled as they are by the battle and the rain,
- Yet another victory to wipe away the stain!
- So, Gaels, go in and win!
Chorus
- Oilthigh na Banrighinn a' Bhanrighinn gu bràth!
- Oilthigh na Banrighinn a' Bhanrighinn gu bràth!
- Oilthigh na Banrighinn a' Bhanrighinn gu bràth!
- Cha ghèill! Cha ghèill! Cha ghèill!
Translation
- The Queen's University, the Queen forever!
- ...
- (We) won't surrender! (We) won't surrender! (We) won't surrender!
2
- Varsity'sVarsity BluesThe Varsity Blues is the name for the intercollegiate sports program at the University of Toronto. Its 26 athletic teams regularly participate in competitions held by Ontario University Athletics and Canadian Interuniversity Sport. The Varsity Blues traces its founding to 1877, with the formation...
not invincible, they tremble at the news - Of Queen's College Colours and are shaking in their shoes.
- Yet another victory, the chance we dare not lose.
- So, Gaels, go in and win!
3
- McGill has met defeat before, they've heard the same old tale
- Of Queen's College colours, boys, the ones that seldom fail,
- Remember Captain Curtis and the conquerors of Yale,
- So, Gaels, go in and win!
4
- There may be other colours to the breezes oft unfurled,
- And many another college yell by student voices hurled;
- Queen's College colours are the dearest in the world,
- So, Gaels, go in and win!
5
- What's the sport of Kings?
- Queen's! Queen's! Queen's!
- Oilthigh na Banrighinn Cha ghèill! Cha ghèill! Cha ghèill!
- Oilthigh na Banrighinn Cha ghèill! Cha ghèill! Cha ghèill!
- Go Queen´s!