Notre Dame Victory March

Without a doubt the most recognizable collegiate fight song in the nation, the "Notre Dame Victory March" was written just past the turn of the century by two brothers who were University of Notre Dame graduates.

 

Michael J. Shea, a 1905 graduate, wrote the music and his brother, John F. Shea, who earned degrees in 1906 and 1908, wrote the words. The song was copyrighted in 1908 and a piano verson, complete with lyrics, was published that year.

 

Michael, who became a priest in Ossining, N.Y., collaborated on the project with John, who lived in Holyoke, Mass. The song's public debut came in the winter of 1908 when Michael played it on the organ of the Second Congregational Church in Holyoke.

 

The "Notre Dame Victory March" later was presented by the Shea brothers to the University and it first appeared under the copyright of the University of Notre dame in 1928. The copyright was assigned to the publishing company of Edwin H. Morris and the copyright for the beginning of the song is still in effect.

 

The words and music which begin with the words "Cheer, cheer for Old Notre Dame" are in the public domain in the United States, but are protected in all territories outside of the country.

 

Notre Dame's fight song was first performed at Notre Dame on Easter Sunday, 1909, in the rotunda of the Administration Building. The University of Notre Dame band, under the direction of Prof. Clarence Peterson, played it as part of its athletic event 10 years later. In 1969, as college football celebrated its centennial, the "Notre Dame Victory March" was honored as the "greatest of all fight songs."

 

Michael Shea was the pastor of St. Augustine's Church in Ossining until his death in 1938. John Shea, a baseball monogram winner at Notre Dame, became a Massachusetts state senator and live in Holyoke until his death in 1965.

 

Lyrics:

 

Rally sons of Notre Dame:

Sing her glory and sound her fame,

Raise her Gold and Blue

And cheer with voices true:

Rah, rah, for Notre Dame

We will fight in ev-ry game,

Strong of heart and true to her name

We will ne'er forget her

And will cheer her ever

Loyal to Notre Dame

 

Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,

Wake up the echoes cheering her name,

Send a volley cheer on high,

Shake down the thunder from the sky.

What though the odds be great or small

Old Notre Dame will win over all,

While her loyal sons are marching

Onward to victory.

 

lets go irish iam predicting 11 wins this year. go irish .

So we are gonna be better this year than the past 2? yeah that makes a lot of sense

heismancaliber, yes were going to be a power run team with a little more speed and a much better defense. The qb issue won't be a very big deal as this will take some time for the leader to emerge, all of them can contribute something to ths team. go irish .

care to make a friendly wager?

care to make a friendly wager?

 

Rick, although I'm not allowed to gamble in this state, let alone my age, I'll guarantee you we will not have 11 wins..love the optimism but i cant picture that

no disrespect, but u cant guarantee anything.

 

11-2, two losses to UM and USC? it could happen. Say we upset Michigan and lose to another School.

 

Highly unlikely, but you cant guarantee that it wont happen.

no disrespect, but u cant guarantee anything.

 

11-2, two losses to UM and USC? it could happen. Say we upset Michigan and lose to another School.

 

Highly unlikely, but you cant guarantee that it wont happen.

 

You can get in on a wager yourself if you would like

like i said highly unlikely, but you cant guarantee it.

 

im not dumb, i wouldnt bet on something highly unlikely.

 

Who thought the red sox would take 4 straight vs. the Yanks down 0-3 in the ALCS??

 

If they upset Michigan or USC, i could see them getting 10 wins, but like i said highly unlikely.

i don't bet but the way i look at this if we beat Michigan and based upon their personnel as matched up with ours , i really see a upset. i just feel that if we can get on a roll we could wind up in excellent shape. i still believe that we CAN win 11 with a little Irish luck and NO INJURIES, as the defense is very much improved and we now have some HORSE-S to run the ball .. What say you ? go Irish

like i said highly unlikely, but you cant guarantee it.

 

Guarantee was a bit of a hyperbole...highly unlikely is correct though. Obviously no one can guarantee what the record will be this year.

irishrick, irishziggy...who blew the sacred powder of optimism upon you both? While my opinion falls in line with Nick and heisman, you gotta love the enthuseisum...Go Irish!

 

And I thought I was the dreamer here?

"What though the odds be great or small old Notre Dame will win overall..."

Can't guarantee we won't win 11 games, but then again you can't say we won't lose 11 games. Neither statement is really based in fact, so both are worthless in my opinion.

Sure, I'll take the bet. I'll put up $10 bucks and you can give me 150 to 1 odds. Sounds about right. Any takers?

So if the Irish dont win 11 games you pay me 10 bucks but if they do win 11 games I owe you 1500- Youre on- Id pay 1500 to see the Irish win 11 games. Im pretty sure my money would be safe, go ahead charlie prove me wrong.

Wow Dude! You're a real fan. Outstanding! I can't say that I would spend $1500 so that the Irish could win 11 this year. I bow before a superior Golden Domer.

13?....maybe.