Fight On Ohio

The pride of Ohio comes on the field today,
So cheer them on their way,
And they will show that Ohio
Will fight to the finish,
Whatever is the score.
They do or die!
They glorify!
Ohio ever more!

Chorus

Fight on Ohio!
Drive on down the field.
Fight on Ohio!
And never, never yield.
Fight on Ohio!
A touchdown now to go.
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
For ever Ohio!
Fight on Ohio!
Drive on down the field.
Fight on Ohio!
And never, never yield.
Fight on Ohio!
A touchdown now to go.
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
For ever Ohio!

They surge on the field in a wave of Scarlet hue,
They're fighting hard for you,
So join our song resounding strong,
And cheer to the finish,
And while the echoes roar,
They do or die!
They glorify!
Ohio ever more!

Repeat Chorus

Fight On Ohio, was written in 1929, by William A. Dougherty, Jr, composer of Fight The Team Across The Field. An autographed copy exists in The Ohio State University School of Music Library collection. One can speculate that Fight On Ohio was written to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ohio State Football, which began in 1890. Fight On Ohio was in general use through 1934, as it was published in football programs through the 1934 season.

Thanks to the efforts of Michael Murray, of The Ohio State University School of Music Library, he was able to secure permission from The Ohio State Alumni Association, to allow me to post Fight On Ohio, on this web page. In regards to copyright, Fight On Ohio is available for non-commercial purposes only, as it is not in the public domain, thus it is subject to various domestic and international copyright laws.

I wish to thank David Lohrer, who is almost a nephew to me, for also securing a copy of Fight On Ohio. He sent the complete score, including the cover page. The cover page depicts Ohio Stadium, open end of "the horseshoe", in the background, and football players, in silhouette, in the foreground. In addition, the signature of William A. Dougherty is clearly visible just below the title of the song, just above Ohio Stadium. Finally, across the bottom is printed "words and music by William A. Dougherty '17". The coloration of the page is Scarlet and Gray; Scarlet for Ohio Stadium, some of the football players and text; and shades of Gray for everything else.

Photo: 1930 Ohio Stadium, Courtesy of The Ohio State University Archives

Please e-mail any comments, problems or suggestions to njmetrowsky@gmail.com

Webmaster: Nick Metrowsky
The Ohio State University, BA, History, 1979
Life Member The Ohio State University Alumni Association
Life Member of The Ohio State University President's Club
Annual Member of The Ohio State University Varsity "O" Association

Last Updated: 23 September, 2021