Ohio State University Songs
Carmen Ohio
"Carmen Ohio," Ohio State's alma mater, was born in sadness during one
of the football team's darkest hours. In 1902, Fred A. Cornell, Class of
1906 and a member of the team, scribbled the words on the back of an envelope
as he returned by train to Columbus from Ann Arbor. The Buckeyes had just
suffered a bitter defeat at the hands of Michigan, losing 86-0. He wrote
the words to the music known as the "Spanish Chant." "Carmen Ohio" was
first performed by the Glee Club in 1903, but did not become popular until
the words were published in the Lantern for the football rally before the
Michigan game of 1906. It was recognized as the alma mater in 1916. There
are three stanzas in the copyrighted version, though generally only the
first is sung. The word "carmen" is Latin for "song."
Carmen Ohio
Oh! Come let's sing Ohio's praise,
And songs to Alma Mater raise;
While our hearts rebounding thrill,
With joy which death alone can still.
Summer's heat and Winter's cold,
The season pass, the years will roll;
Time and change will surely show
How firm thy friendship -- O hi o.
These jolly days of priceless worth,
By far the gladdest days of earth,
Soon will pass and we not know
How dearly we love Ohio.
We should strive to keep thy name
Of fair repute and spotless fame;
So, in college halls we'll grow
To love thee better -- O hi o
Though age may dim our mem'ry's store,
We'll think of happy days of yore,
True to friend and frank to foe,
As sturdy sons of O hi o.
If on seas of care we roll,
'Neath blackened sky, o'er barren shoal,
Thoughts of thee bid darkness go,
Dear Alma Mater -- O hi o.
Across the Field
William A. Dougherty, who graduated from Ohio State in 1917 and received
his law degree here in 1920, wrote "Across the Field" while he was a student
at the University. As a student manager for the football team and a student
of the piano, he started tinkering with a tune that he thought might capture
the spirit of a football game. Dougherty wanted his song to be within one
octave so it would be easier for everyone to sing, and he wanted it to
be short enough that it could be played during a timeout on the field.
It took him almost three years to write the song. It was first performed
at the Illinois game in 1915.
Across the Field
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 conference now.
Buckeye Battle Cry
The "Buckeye Battle Cry," written in 1919 by Frank Cumit, has been used
since the early 1920s by the Marching Band to conclude its famous ramp
entrance to Ohio Stadium.
Buckeye Battle Cry
In Old Ohio there's a team,
That's known throughout the land;
Eleven warriors, brave and bold,
Whose fame will ever stand,
And when the ball goes over,
Our cheers will reach the sky,
Ohio Field will hear again
The Buckeye Battle Cry.
Drive! Drive on down the field,
Men of scarlet and gray;
Don't let them through that line,
We have to win this game today,
Come on, Ohio! Smash through to victory
We cheer you as you go;
Our honor defend
So, we'll fight to the end
For Ohio.
Please email any questions,
comments, or corrections to
John Sheridan
Fisher