The Song “On, Wisconsin” By William Purdy Is The Official State Song Of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Adopted “On, Wisconsin!” As the Official State Song in 1959. The Tune of the Wisconsin State Song was composed in 1909 by William T. Purdy as “Minnesota, Minnesota,” with the intention of entering it into a competition for a new fight song at the University of Minnesota. Carl Beck, the Wisconsin student, convinced him to withdraw it from the contest at the last minute and allow his alma mater to use it instead. Former Wisconsin Student Carl Beck then wrote the original, football-oriented lyrics, changing the words “Minnesota, Minnesota” to “On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!”.
The lyrics were rewritten for the Wisconsin State Song in 1913 by Judge Charles D. Rosa and J. S. Hubbard. The song was widely recognized as the State Song Of Wisconsin at that time but was never officially designated. Finally in 1959, “On, Wisconsin!” was codified in Chapter 170, Laws of 1959, and is incorporated in Section 1.10 of the statutes. State Song Of Wisconsin “On, Wisconsin!” was regarded by John Philip Sousa as “the finest of college marching songs”. “On, Wisconsin!” has become one of the most popular fight songs in the country, with some 2,500 schools using some variation of it as their school song. There have been persistent rumors that the rights to the song are owned by Paul McCartney or Michael Jackson.
Lyrics:
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Plunge right through that line!
Run the ball right down the field, a touchdown sure this time.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Fight on for her fame,
Fight! Fellows! Fight! Fight, fight, we’ll win this game.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Stand up, Badgers sing!
‘Forward’ is our driving spirit loyal voices ring.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Raise her glowing flame
Stand, fellows, let us now salute her name!