Grand Old Ohio State

You are grand and great, dear old Ohio State.
And forever to you we'll be true,
You're the Alma Mater that we love,
Our own dear O. S. U.
And our football team has all kinds of steam,
And they go in the game to stay,
And when the ball goes down the field,
Keep your eye on the Scarlet and Gray.

You are grand and great, dear old Ohio State.
And forever to you we'll be true,
You're the Alma Mater that we love,
Our own dear O. S. U.
And our football team has all kinds of steam,
And they go in the game to stay,
And when the ball goes down the field,
Keep your eye on the Scarlet and Gray.

This song was never published in the song books, but appeared in the 29 November, 1906 football program "Yells and Songs" page. The first verse was originally published in The Ohio State University Lantern on 26 September, 1906 and written by an unknown contributor. It uses the melody of You're A Grand Old Flag. This song was used as a fight song with Varsity and Wahoo! Wahoo!, but it faded from use sometime before 1916. This song is an excellent example of using a contemporary melody and penning new lyrics. It is possible this song was written by The Ohio State University Men's Glee Club.

FYI: You're A Grand Old Flag was written in 1906 by George M. Cohan.

Photo: 1911 The Armory, Courtesy of The Ohio State University Archives

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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