"Hail to Pitt" is the most traditional fight song of the University of Pittsburgh, which is commonly referred to as Pitt. The saying "Hail to Pitt!" is also the most traditional and commonly used slogan of the University of Pittsburgh and its athletics teams. The slogan is frequently used in promotional material, printed on merchandise and souvenirs. It was also the title of a 1982 history of Pitt athletics by author Jim O'Brien. The slogan is often used among alumni as a statement of affiliation, including as a closing signature in conversation or correspondence between alumni, and is sometime abbreviated as "HTP" or "H2P", the latter of which is a registered trademark of the university and is frequently used on official university signage and merchandise.
History
The musical pageantry of the University of Pittsburgh began mostly under the initiative of various students and musical groups in the early twentieth century. It was during this period, around 1908, that the university began the process of moving from what is now Pittsburgh's North Side to its current location in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. At the time of this relocation, the university, then known as the Western University of Pennsylvania, also obtained an alteration to its charter in order to change its name to the University of Pittsburgh. These changes also corresponded with the celebration of the City of Pittsburgh's sesquicentennial and a rise in prominence of the university's athletic programs, exemplified by the undefeated and unscored upon football team of 1910, and led to crescendo and pride and optimism throughout the university. In this atmosphere, an abundance of music and chants extolling the newly renamed university appeared throughout student productions and publications. While some have faded into obscurity, among the most popular and pervasive of music and slogans, including "Hail to Pitt" and the "Alma Mater", were derived from the efforts of these students who were among the first to have "University of Pittsburgh" printed on their diplomas.
Origin of "Hail to Pitt"
"Hail to Pitt" is the most traditional of various fight songs of the University of Pittsburgh. Lyrics were written by George M. Kirk (Col. 1913) and music by Lester Milton Taylor (Eng. 1912), both of whom were members of the Beta Theta chapter of Sigma Chi at Pitt.Owl Yearbooks (1907–1980)Owl Yearbooks (1907–1980) The first performance of this song was in a production of the Cap and Gown Club, a student musical theater company, titled Here and There in the spring of 1910. Kirk himself sung the performance of his song during this production which took place in the Carnegie Music Hall, in what was the first school year that the university had relocated to the Oakland section of Pittsburgh and the second academic year after the university changed its name from the Western University of Pennsylvania.University Courant (1888–1910)University Courant (1888–1910) The lyrics subsequently appeared, along with other fight songs, prior to the 1910 football season in the First Annual Football Year BookAssorted University of Pittsburgh Publications and the words and music were printed by Volkwein's Music and the song was copyrighted. Kirk, who served as a Pitt cheerleader for three years, helped push for the song's use as the Pitt fight song.George M. Kirk However, by the 1930s, the song's popularity led to issues with its use on radio broadcasts of games involving the school's successful football team. Because Pitt did not own the copyright to the song, permission for its use had to be obtained from the copyright owners prior to any broadcast. This led the university to commission and adopt a new song, the "Victory Song", to which the university owned the copyright and could freely grant permission for its use. However, "Hail to Pitt" continued to be performed and survived as the university's primary musical number.
Historic performances, recordings, and publication
"Hail to Pitt" has been heard many times on local and national radio and television broadcasts and has been professional recorded several times throughout history by renowned musicians. It is believed that "Hail to Pitt" was the first college song to be broadcast on the radio when KDKA used it when airing its first football game.
One of the first professional recordings of "Hail to Pitt", along with the university's "Alma Mater", was by the Criterion Quartet on Gennett Records in 1920.Gennett 1000 series Numerical Listings, accessdate=2009-02-11Labelliste von 'Gennett 10000 vis 10093', accessdate=2009-02-08 In 1925 "Hail to Pitt" was also one of seven fight songs comprising a compilation song titled "Collegiate Melody" that became a huge hit for Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians. The performance of "Hail to Pitt" appeared in Part 1 (Side A) of the 1932 Victor Records release of "Collegiate Melody", which remains the Waring's Pennsylvanians top song.
"Hail to Pitt" was also performed by Tommy Dorsey as part of his broadcast from Meadowbrook Ballroom in Cedar Grove, New Jersey on February 24, 1940, that featured Frank Sinatra among others. Dorsey's performance of "Hail to Pitt" appears on original recordings that were released from that broadcast, and is among the select songs chosen to appear on a CD rerelease titled Tommy Dorsey plays Sweet and Hot.MTV: Tommy Dorsey Album Discography and Track Listings, accessdate=2009-02-08[ Allmusic: Tommy Dorsey Plays Sweet and Hot: Overview, accessdate=2009-02-08] Also during the 1940s, Joseph Wood arranged and conducted a recording of a collection of songs titled Songs of the University of Pittsburgh that featured baritone Walter Scheff, tenor Ralph Nyland, and bass baritone Michael Stewart. Released on two 78-rpm discs by Republic records, the album featured "Hail to Pitt", "Pitt Alma Mater", "The Panther", and the "Pitt Victory Song".
"Hail to Pitt" was also one of only 16 college songs performed and featured on a 1948 recording by Jan Garber and His Orchestra released as Collegiate Melodies on Capitol Records in both a 10-inch LP and a 45 rpm EP set in 1950,Capital Album Discography, Part 1: The 78-rpm Albums:1-149, accessdate=2009-02-08 and re-released in 1955 as a 12-inch album.Capitol Album Discography, Part 2: 10" LPs 150 to 299, accessdate=2009-02-08 Garber's album is considered one of the best recorded collections of fight songs in existence.William Emmett Studwell and Bruce R. Schueneman, College Fight Songs: An Annotated Anthology, Haworth Press, 1998, pg. 229, accessdate=2009-02-08
During the 1952–1953 school year, the Pitt Band and the Pitt Men's Glee Club collaborated to release a compilation songs titled Songs of Pitt on RCA Victor Records.The Owl 1953, University of Pittsburgh, page 219, Documenting Pitt, University of Pittsburgh Digital Library, accessdate=2009-02-08The Owl 1953, University of Pittsburgh, page 223, Documenting Pitt, University of Pittsburgh Digital Library, accessdate=2009-02-08 Soon after that, on October 7, 1953, the Vaughn Monroe and the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra performed "Hail to Pitt" as part of a Camel Caravan taping that was broadcast on CBS Radio Network on October 26, 1953.Camel Caravan:53-10-26 transcript, accessdate=2009-02-8
The sheet music for "Hail to Pitt" has undergone various publications and has appeared in a multiple music compilations including a collection titled Songs of the University of Pittsburgh in 1929 by the Thornton W. Allen Company of New York, as well as more recently in Studwell and Schueneman's College Fight Songs published in 1998.William Emmett Studwell and Bruce R. Schueneman, College Fight Songs: An Annotated Anthology, Haworth Press, 1998, pg. 32 & 204, , accessdate=2009-02-08
Modern use and availability There have also been numerous modern releases of the fight song in various compilations, including those released in 2006 by Sound Masters titled College Fight Songs Volume 01 (SongDog Network) and in 2008 in Gameday Faves: Classic College Fight Songs Volume 2 and Volume 10 (2Thumbz Entertainment). A limited edition box titled Proud Traditions A Musical Tribute to Pitt was released on the Europadisk Ltd. label for Pitt's bicentennial in 1987 and included a booklet and three 12-inch vinyl records that included recordings of "Hail to Pitt" and university songs such as the "Victory Song", "Alma Mater", and "Wupland March". Various compilations by the Pitt Band and Pitt Men's Glee Club have also been produced for more regional distribution including Pitt Spirit released on audio cassette in 1989,Pitt Spirit, The University of Pittsburgh Bands, O'Neill Stanford, Director, ATR, 1989 Proudly Pittsburgh in 1997,University of Pittsburgh Pittcat+ library catalog, Proudly Pittsburgh, accessdate=2009-02-12 and in the late 2000s Pitt Pride!Pitt Pride, The University of Pittsburgh Pep Band, ATR, 2007 and Panther Fans...Are You Ready? on compact disc.Official store of the Pittsburgh Panthers - Panther Product: Pitt Pep Band CD II, accessdate=2009-02-08 Today, besides the common performance of "Hail to Pitt" and other Pitt songs by the Pitt Band, Glee Club, and other university musical groups, "Hail to Pitt" is often heard in radio and television broadcasts, regional advertising, in various electronic merchandise, and is available for purchase in a variety of formats including compact discs, MP3s, and ringtones.
'"Hail to Pitt" Lyrics
The lyrics below represent the current lyrics to "Hail to Pitt" ascribed to by the Pitt Band. Note that "U-N-I" are sung as three distinct letters of the alphabet, not to be confused with the phrase "you and I." The Pitt Men's Glee Club sings Hail to Pitt with the more traditional "Uni" (see Traditional Hail to Pitt Lyrics below).
The lyrics stating "alleghenee, genec, genac, genac" reference the "Official University Yell" by 1891 graduate W. A. Johnston. The Yell itself is referencing the Allegheny Mountains of Western Pennsylvania. "Hail to Pitt" is believed to be the only college song to contain a college yell officially in its chorus.College yell in fight song, 1976 The Owl, pg. 211, accessdate=2009-02-11 The yell was selected to be the "Official University Yell" by an 1889 committee which also selected the official school colors of blue and gold. One of the first printed appearances of the "Official University Yell" occurred in an 1890 issue of the University Courant, a literary society magazine, which was also the first official year of the university's football team.University Courant, Vol. 4, No. 7, Oct. 1890, pg 98 The existence of the inclusion of this cheer in "Hail to Pitt" represents one of the few remaining student traditions still in widespread practice today that existed prior to the turn of the twentieth century and the 1908 name change.
Down in Smokytown, in Pennsylvania, In Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, We've a university we're all proud of, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. She stands a mighty fortress 'neath her colors bright, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, When forth she goes to battle 'gainst a stubborn foe This song will upward go:
"Hail to Pitt, hail to Pitt every loyal son! Hail to Pitt, hail to Pitt 'til the victory is won! The gold and blue shall wave forever On high through fair and stormy weather; We'll sing her praises far and wide Until the end of time! Hooperay, hooperay for dear old U-N-I; We'll give a grand old alleghenee, genac, genac, genac We'll wave and cheer for many a year And sing our songs out loud and clear For our university." (repeat Chorus)
Often during sporting events, pep rallies, and various alumni and student functions, only the chorus is frequently played by the Pitt Band. It is usually paired with the other two widely performed fight songs of the university: the Pitt Victory Song and "The Panther" song.
Variations in lyrics In some instances, slight differences can be found in the modern usage of the lyrics, including the replacement of the pronoun "her" when referring to the university with "our".