On, On, U of K

Last updated
"On, On, U of K"
Song
Published1925
Genre Fight song
Composer(s) Carl A. Lambert
Lyricist(s) Troy Perkins

On, On, U of K, also punctuated as "On! On! U of K", [1] is a fight song at the University of Kentucky. Although it is primarily associated with the historically successful Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball program, the lyrics are actually specific to football. [2] Aside from this song, the school is rarely referred to as "U of K" but simply as "UK."

Contents

The melody was written in 1922 by Dr. Carl Lampert, a music professor and the first UK music department chair, [1] while the lyrics were written the following year by Troy Perkins, a student. [3] The song was first published in The 1925 Kentuckian, the University of Kentucky yearbook. [4]

The catchy tune is well known to most college sports fans and has been consistently ranked as one of the 'best' and most original college fight songs.[ citation needed ] Although there are lyrics to the song, it is not uncommon for Wildcat fans to stand and clap while the song is played, as opposed to singing the lyrics.

Lyrics

“On, on U of K. We are right for the fight today!
Hold that ball and hit that line. Every Wildcat star will shine.
We’ll fight, fight, fight for the Blue and White, as we roll to that goal, varsity.
And we’ll kick, pass and run ‘till the battle is won, and we’ll bring home the victory”

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References

  1. 1 2 On! On! U of K, University of Kentucky , retrieved 2012-01-12, The University of Kentucky fight song, On! On! U of K, was written in the 1920s by Carl A. Lambert, first chairman of the Music Department.
  2. UK School Song Lyrics, University of Kentucky, archived from the original on 2016-08-19, retrieved 2012-01-12
  3. Kocher, Greg (2011-04-26), "Court fight brews over use of University of Kentucky fight song", Lexington Herald-Leader , archived from the original on 2015-11-20, retrieved 2012-01-12, The music for On! On! U of K was written in 1922 by UK professor Charles A. Lampert, the first chairman of the UK music department. The lyrics were written in 1923 by student Troy Perkins, who won a $5 prize in a contest Lampert set up for the best lyrics to the music.
  4. Complaint against Papa John's International, Inc., Papa John's USA, Inc., filed by BRO 'N SIS Music, Inc. (PDF), 2011-03-31, p. 5, retrieved 2012-01-12, Federal copyright for "On! On! U of K" was secured by publication with copyright notice on January 31, 1925, when the song was first published in The 1925 Kentuckian, the yearbook of the University of Kentucky.