Songs To Thee Wisconsin is one of the best loved songs in the
Wisconsin songbook and it is a melody which never fails to stir emotion
in the loyal Badger alumni and fans. The music for Songs To
Thee Wisconsin was composed by Louis Spohr (1784 - 1859), a German
violinist and composer who considered himself an ardent disciple of
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Spohr was a prolific composer who wrote
oratorios, symphonies, concertos and chamber music. He wrote the
melody which is used for Songs To Thee Wisconsin around
1853 calling it Proudly as the Eagle. The words were
written by E. A. Bredin, who adopted it for Wisconsin. Although
traditionally only one verse is sung, Bredin composed three verses
to the Spohr melody. This song is played by the band during pre-game
immediately after the concert tune.
The Wisconsin Band presents Songs To Thee Wisconsin in various versions throughout the year. Here are two of those.
Listen To Songs To Thee Wisconsin:
- Songs To Thee Wisconsin as heard on Saturdays in Camp Randall Stadium [mp3 format 579K]
- A more traditional version of Songs To Thee Wisconsin [mp3 format 1594K]
Songs to thee Wisconsin, ever let us sing,
Praise to alma mater, ever let us bring.
Queen of all the west, college we love best
Queen of all the west, college we love best
May thy sons and daughters in thy jubilee
See the dawn of greater, grander things to be.
May thou e'er inspire, heav'nly wisdom's fire.
May thou e'er inspire, heav'nly wisdom's fire.
May we ever cherish memories of thee,
See the dawn of greater, grander things to be.
Queen of all the west, college we love best
Queen of all the west, college we love best