Any MSU fan, student, or alumni will be familiar with this upbeat fanfare. But how many people can attest to actually knowing the lyrics to the song? Unless you sing or have sung in an a cappella group or musical ensemble on campus, the chances of being able to sing along word-for-word are slim. Brush up on your fight song expertise so you know exactly how to cheer along at the next MSU sports game.
This iconic song was created way back when Michigan State University was only known as the Michigan Agricultural College, or M.A.C. Though the lyrics have changed since students Arthur Sayles and Francis Irving Lankey first created it, the message and general tune have stayed the same.
Capital Green A Cappella singing the MSU Fight Song (October 2022)
MSU fans will note that “weakening” is often replaced with a roaring “WEAK”, so much so that some students don’t actually know the original lyrics. Ranked by ESPN as one of the nation's best fight songs, here’s how to sing the classic Michigan State anthem:
Michigan State Fight Song (As Sung by Capital Green A Cappella)
On the banks of the Red Cedar,
There's a school that's known to all
Its specialty is winning,
And those Spartans play good ball
Spartan teams are never beaten,
All through the game they fight
Fight for the only colors:
Green and White.
Go right through for MSU
Watch the points keep growing!
Spartan teams are bound to win,
They're fighting with a vim!
Rah! Rah! Rah!
See their team is weakening),
We're going to win this game,
Fight! Fight! Rah! Team, Fight!
Victory for MSU!
Up with the colors,
Unfurl them on high!
Fight! Fight! Rah Team Fight!
Go right through for MSU
Watch the points keep growing!
Spartan teams are bound to win,
They're fighting with a vim!
Rah! Rah! Rah!
See their team is weakening (weak!),
We're going to win this game,
Fight! Fight! Rah! Team, Fight!
Victory for MSU!
For a fight song with a little extra flair, listen to Capital Green A Cappella's take on the anthem below: