BroadwayVik
Active member
There is surprisingly quite a wealth of Viking Athletics music accumulated over the decades from among which musical directors at Portland State may choose to play for game day or alumni events.
1. "Portland State the Jazzy" The first is the fight song composed by Charles Gray, which is in popular use now. Oddly, though, it is challenging to find a recording of it online and I don't know if it has a title or lyrics yet. As you likely know, it is a composition "jazzifying" the traditional college fight song genre. Very unique and original.
2. Here's to the Vikings From music of the USCG Academy: This is one of my favorite finds from Ian Ruder's 2005 research. Link to the music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZunV9aqKXo with the lyrics here:
Oh, here’s to the Vikings’ fighting might
With banners flying high
Through thick or thin we’re sure to win
We’ll leave them high and dry!
So all triumphant we prevail
With pride and glory too
We can rely, they’ll do or die
Aye, Vikings, we’re for you!
...
Aye, Vikings, we’re for you!
3. Fight for Portland State Men of Ohio March by Henry Fillmore: Zippy fight song march with lyrics composed by a Portland State cheerleader (who?) just minutes prior to a game. Ohio U now instead uses "Stand Up and Cheer" by Paul McNeely for their fight song. I don't think they'd mind us using it now. I believe the lyrics were written in the early 1970's. Music link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34N37962-YQ with lyrics:
[Substantial Intro]
Fight! Fight! Fight! for Portland State
On to victory
Fight! Fight! Fight! for Portland State
Mighty men are we
On, O, Vikings down the field
Score and win the game
Let them know we never die
We cheer for Viking Fame!
4. Arise and Conquer Two PSU masters degree alums, one an MBA, the other an MFA in music, wrote this one in 2000. Both have full score and musical instrumental music available. Very traditional college fight song. I know how to reach one of them. Their lyrics:
Portland State, the Green, Black and White
Vikings fight with power and might
Storm and plunder, conquer and raid
Onward 'mid the tempest invade
Stalwart Vikings victors a-wave
Banner fighters, braver than brave
Crash through the door [crowd yells HEY!]
Shields up to score [crowd yells YEA!]
Thunder the vanguard ashore
Refrain: Portland State Vikings go! Sail on to victory rah rah rah! V ! I ! K ! I ! N ! G ! S !
Portland State, the flame of our light
Hail Columbian spirit and might
Overcomers, victors are we
Strive on for the team victory
Forward, Vikings, lead on the way
Let's go, Vikings, take it away
Raise up the roof [crowd yells HEY!]
Shout loud the cry [crowd yells YEA!]
Cheer Viking spirit high
Repeat Refrain
5. Men of Vanport I would love to hear this. This one hearkens back to PSU's earliest days as Vanport College (1946-1948). The music is likely found in the Portland State archives. I hope so. My guess is the fit of the lyrics with the music comes off as being quite classic in character (our immediate post-WWII musical heritage):
Men of Vanport, honor only us
No proud for men ever forestalls us (?) [confused] maybe "No prideful men ever forestall us"
Win the fray whatever befalls us
Conquer over all!
Strength for battle now awaken
Live through flood and storm unshaken
Till our place on high we’ve taken
Never will we fall!
Onward then together!
Fair or stormy weather!
Our team will fight for green and white
Tri-um-phant now and forever!
Viking Fathers now implore us
Fame and glory are before us
Men of Vanport, swell the chorus
Vict’ry over all!
6. Columbia the Gem of the Ocean Traditional and appropriate to adopt as a identifying memorial of Vanport's role in building Navy ships, the G.I. Bill, the roots of Portland State University. A real confidence builder. Recognition of veterans of war. Abbreviated or full instrumental versions. Portland nautical culture to augment its lush forest culture. Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wIDXclKtGQ
O Columbia! the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to thee;
Thy mandates make heroes assemble,
When Liberty's form stands in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the red, white, and blue.
When borne by the red, white, and blue,
When borne by the red, white, and blue,
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the red, white and blue.
When war wing'd its wide desolation,
And threaten'd the land to deform,
The ark then of freedom's foundation,
Columbia rode safe thro' the storm;
With her garlands of vict'ry around her,
When so proudly she bore her brave crew;
With her flag proudly waving before her,
The boast of the red, white and blue.
The boast of the red, white and blue,
The boast of the red, white, and blue,
With her flag proudly floating before her,
The boast of the red, white and blue.
The Union, the Union forever,
Our glorious nation's sweet hymn,
May the wreaths it has won never wither,
Nor the stars of its glory grow dim,
May the service united ne'er sever,
But they to their colors prove true.
The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue.
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue,
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue,
The Army and Navy for ever,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue.
(A slightly different third verse)
The star spangled banner bring hither,
O'er Columbia's true sons let it wave;
May the wreaths they have won never wither,
Nor its stars cease to shine on the brave.
May thy service united ne'er sever,
But hold to the colors so true;
The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue!
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue!
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue!
The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue
7. Viks Win drinking song (my own contribution) sung to the tune of "Scotland the Brave," which I'm sure is very familiar and makes for an excellent drinking song. Basic bagpipe version (my version differs slightly to make it rousing): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1McamtJK08
Hail to the VIkings who have become the victors
Through labored fighting undaunted and true
Hail to our team who defeated our rival
Claiming the laurels that have become their due
Hail to the VIkings!
A rose to their challenge!
Dissenters and he-e-ro-o-oes
Both crown them with prai-ai-ai-aise
Raise high your flagon
Let us drink deep this mem'ry
Quaff, let us toast and speak
With relish to their name.
1. "Portland State the Jazzy" The first is the fight song composed by Charles Gray, which is in popular use now. Oddly, though, it is challenging to find a recording of it online and I don't know if it has a title or lyrics yet. As you likely know, it is a composition "jazzifying" the traditional college fight song genre. Very unique and original.
2. Here's to the Vikings From music of the USCG Academy: This is one of my favorite finds from Ian Ruder's 2005 research. Link to the music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZunV9aqKXo with the lyrics here:
Oh, here’s to the Vikings’ fighting might
With banners flying high
Through thick or thin we’re sure to win
We’ll leave them high and dry!
So all triumphant we prevail
With pride and glory too
We can rely, they’ll do or die
Aye, Vikings, we’re for you!
...
Aye, Vikings, we’re for you!
3. Fight for Portland State Men of Ohio March by Henry Fillmore: Zippy fight song march with lyrics composed by a Portland State cheerleader (who?) just minutes prior to a game. Ohio U now instead uses "Stand Up and Cheer" by Paul McNeely for their fight song. I don't think they'd mind us using it now. I believe the lyrics were written in the early 1970's. Music link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34N37962-YQ with lyrics:
[Substantial Intro]
Fight! Fight! Fight! for Portland State
On to victory
Fight! Fight! Fight! for Portland State
Mighty men are we
On, O, Vikings down the field
Score and win the game
Let them know we never die
We cheer for Viking Fame!
4. Arise and Conquer Two PSU masters degree alums, one an MBA, the other an MFA in music, wrote this one in 2000. Both have full score and musical instrumental music available. Very traditional college fight song. I know how to reach one of them. Their lyrics:
Portland State, the Green, Black and White
Vikings fight with power and might
Storm and plunder, conquer and raid
Onward 'mid the tempest invade
Stalwart Vikings victors a-wave
Banner fighters, braver than brave
Crash through the door [crowd yells HEY!]
Shields up to score [crowd yells YEA!]
Thunder the vanguard ashore
Refrain: Portland State Vikings go! Sail on to victory rah rah rah! V ! I ! K ! I ! N ! G ! S !
Portland State, the flame of our light
Hail Columbian spirit and might
Overcomers, victors are we
Strive on for the team victory
Forward, Vikings, lead on the way
Let's go, Vikings, take it away
Raise up the roof [crowd yells HEY!]
Shout loud the cry [crowd yells YEA!]
Cheer Viking spirit high
Repeat Refrain
5. Men of Vanport I would love to hear this. This one hearkens back to PSU's earliest days as Vanport College (1946-1948). The music is likely found in the Portland State archives. I hope so. My guess is the fit of the lyrics with the music comes off as being quite classic in character (our immediate post-WWII musical heritage):
Men of Vanport, honor only us
No proud for men ever forestalls us (?) [confused] maybe "No prideful men ever forestall us"
Win the fray whatever befalls us
Conquer over all!
Strength for battle now awaken
Live through flood and storm unshaken
Till our place on high we’ve taken
Never will we fall!
Onward then together!
Fair or stormy weather!
Our team will fight for green and white
Tri-um-phant now and forever!
Viking Fathers now implore us
Fame and glory are before us
Men of Vanport, swell the chorus
Vict’ry over all!
6. Columbia the Gem of the Ocean Traditional and appropriate to adopt as a identifying memorial of Vanport's role in building Navy ships, the G.I. Bill, the roots of Portland State University. A real confidence builder. Recognition of veterans of war. Abbreviated or full instrumental versions. Portland nautical culture to augment its lush forest culture. Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wIDXclKtGQ
O Columbia! the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to thee;
Thy mandates make heroes assemble,
When Liberty's form stands in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the red, white, and blue.
When borne by the red, white, and blue,
When borne by the red, white, and blue,
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the red, white and blue.
When war wing'd its wide desolation,
And threaten'd the land to deform,
The ark then of freedom's foundation,
Columbia rode safe thro' the storm;
With her garlands of vict'ry around her,
When so proudly she bore her brave crew;
With her flag proudly waving before her,
The boast of the red, white and blue.
The boast of the red, white and blue,
The boast of the red, white, and blue,
With her flag proudly floating before her,
The boast of the red, white and blue.
The Union, the Union forever,
Our glorious nation's sweet hymn,
May the wreaths it has won never wither,
Nor the stars of its glory grow dim,
May the service united ne'er sever,
But they to their colors prove true.
The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue.
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue,
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue,
The Army and Navy for ever,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue.
(A slightly different third verse)
The star spangled banner bring hither,
O'er Columbia's true sons let it wave;
May the wreaths they have won never wither,
Nor its stars cease to shine on the brave.
May thy service united ne'er sever,
But hold to the colors so true;
The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue!
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue!
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue!
The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue
7. Viks Win drinking song (my own contribution) sung to the tune of "Scotland the Brave," which I'm sure is very familiar and makes for an excellent drinking song. Basic bagpipe version (my version differs slightly to make it rousing): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1McamtJK08
Hail to the VIkings who have become the victors
Through labored fighting undaunted and true
Hail to our team who defeated our rival
Claiming the laurels that have become their due
Hail to the VIkings!
A rose to their challenge!
Dissenters and he-e-ro-o-oes
Both crown them with prai-ai-ai-aise
Raise high your flagon
Let us drink deep this mem'ry
Quaff, let us toast and speak
With relish to their name.
