"Fight On" is the
fight song
A fight song is a rousing short song associated with a sports team. The term is most common in the United States and Canada. In Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand, these songs are called the team anthem, team song, or games song. First associated ...
of the
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (USC, SC, or Southern Cal) is a Private university, private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in ...
. It was composed in 1922 by USC dental student, Milo Sweet, with lyrics by Sweet and Glen Grant, for a student spirit competition. The song is played at all USC sports competitions, as well as many other USC related events, by the
Spirit of Troy
The USC Trojan Marching Band, nicknamed The Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe (TGMBITHOTU), represents the University of Southern California (USC) at various collegiate sports, broadcast, popular music recording, and nat ...
, the USC Marching Band.
During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the song was used to inspire combat-bound troops in the
Aleutians Campaign. According to legend, it was played off the deck of a transport carrying American soldiers onto the beach of a Japanese-held island; the troops let out a roar when they heard the song and eventually captured the island.
Trojan Marching Band Press Pack, p. 16
. 2009.
The term, "Fight On", is also used as a battle cry for USC fans.
Like many other college fight songs, "Fight On" is used by many high schools throughout the United States, though often with modified lyrics.
References
External links
Fight on song
YouTube
{{Authority control
Big Ten Conference fight songs
Traditions at the University of Southern California