Zach Ruwitch | Contributing Illustrator

If the words “fight song” spark memories of the 2015 hit song by Rachel Platten and not the WashU spirit song, this is the place for you. According to the WashU Division of Student Affairs, the fight song or “spirit song” is “Fight for Washington,” a tune written by a class of 1993 alumni Chris Tess. Tess wrote the song for a competition hosted by the music department that sought to update the University’s songbook. The song debuted in 1994 at the Spring Wind Ensemble concert.

The lyrics go as follows:

Fight Fight for Washington
Forever wave our banner true
Let us all together raise a mighty cheer
For Alma Mater Dear
We fight for old Wash U-Hey!

Fight on to Victory
We stand beside thee ever true
Hur-rah, loyal Fans are we
Go, Fight, Win, for old Wash U!

The lyrics and melody are typical of a fight song. There is a call to action, a reference to a banner, and militaristic imagery that invokes the urge to defend one’s institution. The lyrics, however, are entirely too vague and could practically be applied to every other school with Washington in the name (it’s in St. Louis, dammit!). There is no mention of our school colors or lovable mascot, Bear.

Fight songs originate from a tradition of football chants. From the sidelines, hundreds of fans raised their voices in unison to remind players just what they were competing for. Fight songs are diverse in authorship, from famous pop songs to student composers. They are tied to college football culture and make their mark through generations of fans who pass on these lyrics through an oral tradition. Without roaring crowds at every home game and the notable absence of fanfare for the WashU Bears, a certain ingredient is missing. Perhaps this is why so few WashU students are familiar with their own song.

Although WashU highlights the 1993 version on its Student Affairs webpage, it is not the only fight song. A 2020 video of the WashU football team shows the players singing a fight song to a clapping rhythm. The lyrics are similar to those in the version above, but the melody and tone are very different. There is also a karaoke video from two years ago set to a marching band that has completely different lyrics than the ‘93 version. According to the WashU Library archive, WashU has a long history of student-made school songs, ranging from parodies of famous tunes to the current Alma Mater (which is based on a traditional German song called “How Can I Leave Thee?”). Naturally, the accuracy of defining the “correct” school song is feeble, at best. 

Fight songs are a vehicle of school pride during athletic events, but at WashU there aren’t any massive tailgates or highly anticipated rival games, so the lyrics of the school fight song remain a mystery to most students. Maybe “Fight for Washington” will find its place amongst a crowd of red and green surrounding Francis Olympic Field. Maybe a little bit of school pride is just what the doctor ordered.