The Victors vs Bow Down to Washington

Submitted by andrew_ on January 8th, 2024 at 10:09 AM

Tonight in a group chat I posted the two fight songs that will appear in the game tonight. They are distinctly different, and might be a commentary on the social fabric of the U.S. when each was composed.

So, a thread on both.

"The Victors" https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ygt0m2_sHgE was composed in late November, 1898 following a victory over Chicago.
 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ygt0m2_sHgE

In April of that same year, the Spanish–American War had started and by the time Louis Elbel composed the tune, Teddy Roosevelt was busy kicking ass and making headlines with the Rough Riders. The Philippine–American War was brewing and would kick off five months later. The country was feisty and imperialistic.

"Bow Down to Washington" https://youtube.com/watch?v=24Y4aT52ekU was composed in October of of 1915 and was first performed the follow month.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=24Y4aT52ekU

Which happened to be a year and a half into World War 1 and five months after the sinking of the Lusitania. President Wilson had a strict policy of neutrality, and the country was sharply divided on getting involved. Reforms were underway and the nonintervention/isolationist movement was strong.

I hear clear distinction between two different phases of the country on a world, social, political, and perhaps even on a geographic level within a 17 year span.

But really what do I know. Go Blue! Beat Washington!

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Football

dickdastardly

January 8th, 2024 at 10:17 AM ^

Bow down? I am surprised they haven't changed that in today's overly sensitive society as it suggests something lewd and demeaning. 

And that reminds me of the gem of a line from from ADC in Ford Fairlane. Points for anyone who knows what I'm referring to.

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S.D. Jones

January 8th, 2024 at 10:23 AM ^

I'm actually disappointed in how lily-livered it is. If you're gonna ask that folks kow tow to you, get up on your high horse and frickin' turn the snobbery to 11. For a suitable example, I recommend the Entrance of the Peers from Gilbert & Sullivan's Iolanthe:

Bow, bow, ye lower middle classes!
Bow, bow, ye tradesmen, bow, ye masses,
Blow the trumpets, bang the brasses,
Tantantara! Tzing, boom!

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dragonchild

January 8th, 2024 at 10:25 AM ^

PacNW native here.  I never liked Yoodub's fight song; it's too goofy to get me amped up.  Sounds like it belongs in a parade or circus.

They don't deserve it because they're basically the Michigan State of the northwest (tells you ALL you need to know), but IMO, Wazzu has the much better fight song.

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UMQuadz05

January 8th, 2024 at 10:38 AM ^

My favorite factoid is that The Victors is not technically a "fight song".  A true fight song encourages your team to win the game they are about to play/are playing.  With true Michigan Arrogance, The Victors is a celebration of how we've already won and man we are awesome.  

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MGoTrumpet

January 8th, 2024 at 10:46 AM ^

For the Rose Bowl of '81, we played Washington.  I was in the marching band and we shared the cafeteria with the Huskies band on UCLA campus.  At some point during every meal... every stinking meal... a Washington band member would stand up and shout - "Hey everybody, what time is it?"  And the entire band would reply "It's time to bow down to Washington", and they would then proceed to sing their stupid fight song.  It was such a "high school" move, and very low class.

 

The Michigan Marching Band had this amazing arrangement (John Stout wrote it) of Elton John's "Funeral for a Friend" as part of our halftime show.  A small group of us decided to respond to their silliness with class and formed a circle in the middle of the cafeteria as the Washington band sang their song.  When they had finished, we started singing our parts for Funeral in response.  As other Michigan band members saw what we were doing, they joined us.  By the end we had a huge group of singers, belting out that moving finish.  When we were done we said nothing, sat back down to our meals, and the cafeteria was silent.  The Huskies band knew they were outclassed.  I don't remember for sure, but I don't think that they sang their silly fight song for at least a few meals.  I don't think I was ever as proud of any organization I have belonged to since that moment.  

Oh, and we kicked their butts, 23-6!!!

 

 

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PhilipVU94

January 8th, 2024 at 11:09 AM ^

Two of the best. I love the Dardenelles reference, which also dates it. No one will be surprised to know they don't play the whole thing as often as the MMB plays "The Victors," but I really hate that they only play the first line disintegrating into whatever that is, and I guess "Victory to Washington" after extra points, so on TV you barely get to hear the full "Bow Down."

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LostPatrol14

January 8th, 2024 at 11:34 AM ^

Michigan alum James Earl Jones narrated that "We bow down to no man." in the hype video at Michigan Stadium, pre-game. I believe that is very fitting for tonight.

Go Blue!

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Don

January 8th, 2024 at 11:37 AM ^

Musically, that UW piece is one of the more forgettable college fight songs I've heard. Has a real pedestrian, generic quality to it.

But the lyrics... ooooof

"Our boys are there with bells

Their fighting blood excels"

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PhilipVU94

January 8th, 2024 at 3:52 PM ^

"Yea Alabama" cals for the team to "send the Yellow Jackets to a watery grave." It's notable both because Tech left the SEC in the 60s, I think?, but also because Georgia and GT are the only schools mentioned.

I like the historical weirdness anyway. Does "champions of the West" pass muster for currency because Michigan could get an unfavorable NCAA basketball regional site? (Yeah, I know it's the predecessor to the BT and all.)

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DaftPunk

January 8th, 2024 at 12:21 PM ^

Bow Down's lyrics have been edited for gentler metaphors.

"From the distant lands they send their teams of great renown.
But on the field of battle they are trampled on the ground."

became

"Mighty are the ones who wear the purple and the gold
Joyfully we welcome them within the victor’s fold."

Our lyrics, which include the M fanfare, which blew me away more than the chorus the first time I heard it in the stadium, after a life of hearing The Victors as a double legacy, are more celebratory; cheers, hurrahs, bells, banners, and nighing! Very sporting and 19th century.

As for the music, I defer to JPS.

 

 

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PhilipVU94

January 8th, 2024 at 12:27 PM ^

Interesting. I like the original better; sports are all about satisfying our bloodlust with fake-violence anyway. May as well be honest with ourselves.

Apparently they merged in the second verse: 

Bow down to Washington, bow down to Washington,
Hardy are the men who wear the purple and gold;
Joyously we welcome you within the vanquished fold;
Bring the Golden Bear from his mighty lair,
For we’re going to hang his carcass in the northland.

UC-Berkeley's obviously not at their best nowadays but it probably resonates with native Northwesterners in the face of the CA invasion.

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PhilipVU94

January 8th, 2024 at 12:31 PM ^

Also is that the "M Fanfare" you linked for Michigan or the full version of the Victors?

(My first game as a grad student in Ann Arbor, someone asked "Do you know the words?" And I thought they meant all that preamble because... who doesn't know the words to the chorus? I forget that not everyone grew up caring about college football.)

I've never in my life heard the full version sung but I melt on those rare occasions when broadcasts of Michigan games don't go to commercial for a late-game time out and we get to hear the whole thing.

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