The Cougar Song (BYU)

"The Cougar Song," often colloquially referred to as "The Cougar Fight Song," "The BYU Fight Song," or "Rise and Shout, The Cougars Are Out," is the school fight song of Brigham Young University. It is often played at BYU sporting events, especially at BYU football games, and is popular with both students and alumni. On these occasions it is traditional for the fans to remain seated, singing along with the verse, then literally "rise and shout" the chorus and chant.

Infobox Person
name = Clyde D. Sandgren


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birth_date = birth date|1910|09|05
birth_place = Provo, Utah
death_date = death date|1989|12|21
death_place = Provo, Utah
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education =
alma_mater = Brigham Young University
St. John's University School of Law
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History

The song was composed by Clyde D. Sandgren, a 1932 BYU graduate. Clyde later served at BYU as general counsel, a vice president, and for four years as the Alumni Association president. He passed away in 1989 and left ownership of the song to his son, Clyde D. Sandgren, Jr. (Dee). Only Dee and BYU have the rights to the song. [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070717-1134-ut-byusong.html SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Nation - Owner won't sell BYU fight song ] ]

In 1947, Clyde Sandgren registered The Cougar Song with the U.S. Copyright Office, and renewed the work's copyright registration in 1975. The song was dedicated by its composer especially "To all BYU students who so valiantly served their country in World War II." [ [http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=2105 Cheer Anew for the BYU ] ]

The Cougar Song is not the only college song BYU has had in its history. In 1899 Annie Pike Greenwood wrote "The College Song," which for many years stood as the school's main song until The Cougar Song was written. Even afterwards, the song was still sung at alumni and other functions.

ong Lyrics

"Rise all loyal cougars and hurl your challenge to the foe."
"You will fight, day or night, rain or snow."
"Loyal, strong, and true"
"Wear the white and blue."
"While we sing, get set to spring."
"Come on Cougars, it's up to you. Oh!"

CHORUS:
"Rise and shout, the Cougars are out"
"along the trail to fame and glory."
"Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out,"
"As you unfold your vict'ry story."
"On you go to vanquish the foe for Alma Mater's sons and daughters." "For Alma Mater's sons and daughters."
"As we join in song, in praise of you, our faith is strong." "We'll raise our colors high in the blue,"
"And cheer our Cougars of BYU."
* [http://unicomm.byu.edu/about/cougar_fight_song.mp3] "The Cougar Song" as performed by the BYU Marching Band (MP3)

Parody

The Cougar Song is a rich source of parody songs, both on and off campus. Amateur student lyricists have created songs such as "Rise and Pout," a complaint about BYU's football team being knocked off the UPI's Top 20 list, and musicians have created humorous instrumentals such as "Variations on the Cougar Fight Song," which demonstrates the tune in waltz time, ragtime and other odd variants.

Other Songs Composed by Sandgren

Clyde D. Sandgren composed "The Old Y Bell," sung at the original dedication of the Victory Bell on BYU's upper campus and later played at the dedication of Provo City Library at Academy Square in 2001. Additionally, Sandgren penned "Hail, Rotary!" for Rotary International and school songs for Timpview High School, Orem High School, Provo High School, and Utah Valley Community College (now Utah Valley University). He also composed the fight song for St. John's University (where Sandgren received his law degree).

References

External links

* [http://yfacts.byu.edu/viewarticle.aspx?id=146] Lyrics of "The Cougar Song" and "College Song" at BYU]
* [http://unicomm.byu.edu/about/cougar_fight_song.mp3] "The Cougar Song" as performed by the BYU Marching Band (MP3)