Vive La O. S. U.
Let ev'ry good fellow now fill up his glass,
Vive la O. S. U.,
And drink to the health of his glorious class,
Vive la O. S. U.
Chorus
Vive la, vive la O. S. U.
Vive la, vive la O. S. U.
Vive l'amour, vive l'amour,
Vive la, vive la O. S. U.
Come, fill up your glasses, and let us be gay,
Vive la O. S. U.,
A toast to our colors Scarlet and Gray!
Vive la O. S. U.
Repeat Chorus
Since all with good humor I've toasted so free,
Vive la O. S. U.,
I hope it will please to drink now with me,
Vive la O. S. U.
Repeat Chorus
Es Lebe die O. S. U.
Auf, Bruder und Scwestern, kommt das Lied an:
Es Lebe die O. S. U.
Ein singen edin jeder der singen kann:
Es Lebe die O. S. U.
Chorus
Die O. S. U. lebe! Ja, Lebe hoch!
Die O. S. U. lebe! Ja, Lebe hoch!
Sie Lebe hoch! Sie Lebe hoch!
Ein Lebe die O. S. U.
In jeglichem Herzen es tonen soll,
Ein Lebe die O. S. U.
Es Lebe del Alma Mater Wohl!
Ein Lebe die O. S. U.
Repeat Chorus
So schenkt euch denn ein und thut ihr Bescheid:
Ein Lebe die O. S. U.
Von neuem zu weih'n Herz und Hand heut.
Ein Lebe die O. S. U.
Repeat Chorus
This song was a drinking song unique to Ohio State. As it is one of several drinking songs in Songs of Ohio State University and Songs of the Scarlet and Gray, one can assume that it was also popular among the students, as well. In addition, it was the first song, in order, published in Songs of the Scarlet and Gray, thus making it one of the oldest known songs in the early days of Ohio State. Matter of fact, there is even a German version of the song, Es Lebe die O. S. U. that was written in 1894. One can only assume, that Vive La O. S. U. dates back to at least that time.
A one time fight song for the 1895 Kenyon games was published in The Lantern on 20 November, 1895, which used the melody of Vive la O. S. U.. Also, Es Lebe Die O. S. U. was originally published in The Lantern on 29 November, 1894.
Photo: 1882 Fishing on Mirror Lake, 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
