The Syracuse University Alma Mater is the school song for Syracuse University

Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...

 (SU) and was written by Junius W. Stevens in 1893. It is based on the then-popular song Annie Lisle

Annie Lisle

"Annie Lisle" is the name of an 1857 ballad by Boston, Massachusetts songwriter H. S. Thompson first published by Moulton & Clark of Newburyport, Massachusetts, and later by Oliver Ditson & Co. It is about the death of a young maiden, by what some have speculated to be tuberculosis, although the...

. It was first sung under the title "Song of Syracuse" by the University Glee and Banjo Club on March 15, 1893. The song includes three verses, but only the first verse is commonly sung.

Alma mater

According to the 1997-1998 Syracuse University Student Handbook, author Junius W. Stevens recalled "while I was walking home across the city an idea for the song came to me. I had often noticed how the setting sun lighted up the walls of Crouse College

Crouse College, Syracuse University

Crouse College, also known as Crouse Memorial College and historically as John Crouse Memorial College for Women, is a building on the Syracuse University campus. It was funded by John R. Crouse, an "enormously wealthy Syracuse banker"...

long after dusk had fallen over the city and valley. As I walked through the empty streets, the words of a song took shape in my mind. By the time I reached home, the song was finished."

Where the vale of Onondaga

Meets the eastern sky

Proudly stands our Alma Mater

On her hilltop high.

Flag we love! Orange! Float for aye-

Old Syracuse, o'er thee,

Loyal be thy sons and daughters

To thy memory.



When the evening twilight deepens and the shadows fall,

Linger long the golden sunbeams on the western wall.

Flag we love, Orange,

Float for aye,

Old Syracuse o'er thee!

Loyal be thy sons and daughters

To thy memory



When the shades of life shall gather, dark the heart may be,

Still the ray of youth and love shall linger long o'er thee'.

Flag we love, Orange,

Float for aye,

Old Syracuse o'er thee!

Loyal be thy sons and daughters

To thy memory

Fight song

The university also has a fight song entitled "Down the Field," commonly played after SU scores in athletic matches.

Down down the field goes old Syracuse

Just watch those backs hit the line and go thro'

Down down the field they go marching

Fighting for the Orange staunch and true

Rah rah rah!

Vict'ry's in sight for old Syracuse

Each loyal son knows he ne'er more will lose lose

So we'll fight, yes we'll fight and with all our might

For the glory of old Syracuse