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Captain Edwin Sumner wrote this march in 1930 and it was premiered that year by “Pershing’s Own,” the United States Army Band. The Army Band kept “Fight Mass” in its repertoire for some years.
Composer Jerry Bilik arranged the song to leverage the sound of the 1963 band.
Fight, fight Massachusetts,
Fight, fight every play,
Fight, fight for a touchdown,
Fight all your might today,
Fight down the field Massachusetts,
The stars and the stripes will gleam,
Fight, Fight for old Bay State,
Fight for the team, team, team.
Written by Fred Griggs ’13, “Twilight Shadows” became the official alma mater of UMass in 1962.
When twilight shadows deepen
and the study hour draws nigh,
When shades of night are falling
and the evening breezes sigh,
’Tis then we love to gather
‘Neath the pale moon’s silvery spell,
And lift our hearts and voices,
in the songs we love so well.
Chorus:
Sons of old Massachusetts,
Devoted daughters true:
Bay State, ol’ Bay State,
We’ll give our best to you.
Thee, our Alma Mater,
We’ll cherish for all time,
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Massachusetts, yours and mine.
“Roll Down the Field” was written by Jerry Bilik in 1964 as a football fight song.
Roll down the field, take that ball,
Give your all, never yield.
Let’s roll up the score,
Let the foe really know what we’re here for.
Let’s crash through the line and
Show them how to fight, fight, fight,
Yes until victory’s sealed,
Massachusetts roll down the field.
In 2003, George Parks modified the lyrics, making the song flexible for use at a variety of events.
Cheer for UMass, show them strength,
Show them power and class.
Let’s cheer for the past,
Minutemen, they had pride, guts, and glory.
So cheer, Massachusetts,
Show them how to fight, fight, fight,
And with fierce loyalty,
Massachusetts, we cheer for thee.