You're standing in Folsom Field. The Flatirons are glowing orange as the sun dips behind the jagged peaks. Then, it happens. The opening blast of the brass section cuts through the thin mountain air, and suddenly, 50,000 people are screaming at the top of their lungs. If you've ever spent a Saturday in Boulder, you know that the Colorado University fight song isn't just a catchy tune—it’s a Pavlovian trigger for total chaos.
Most college fight songs are, frankly, a bit interchangeable. They all sound like 1920s Sousa marches written by people who really liked vests. But "Glory, Glory, Colorado" carries a specific kind of weight. It’s the sound of Ralphie the Buffalo thundering across the turf. It’s the sound of a program that has seen the highest of highs—like the 1990 National Championship—and some pretty deep valleys.
Honestly, the history of this song is weirder than most people realize. It wasn’t just handed down by the gods of college football. It was crafted, borrowed, and refined over decades.
The DNA of Glory, Glory, Colorado
Let’s get one thing straight: the melody isn't original. Not even close. If it sounds familiar, that’s because the Colorado University fight song uses the tune of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." This puts CU in the company of schools like Georgia and Auburn, who also use the "Glory, Glory" template.
But Boulder makes it their own.
The lyrics were written around 1906 by Hugh E. O’Donnell. Back then, the University of Colorado was a fraction of its current size, but the school spirit was already borderline obsessive. O'Donnell wanted something that felt regal but aggressive. The lyrics reflect a time when college football was basically legalized warfare without the helmets.
Glory, glory, Colorado!
Glory, glory, Colorado!
Glory, glory, Colorado!
Hurrah for the Silver and Gold!
Simple? Yes. Effective? Ask anyone who has to sing it while down 14 points in the fourth quarter. It’s a rallying cry. It’s meant to be shouted, not sung. The tempo is high. It’s designed to keep the energy in the stadium from flatlining during a timeout.
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The Silver and the Gold
Wait, "Silver and Gold"? If you look around the stadium today, you see a lot of black and Vegas gold. The "Silver" in the Colorado University fight song refers to the official school colors adopted in 1888.
The silver represents the state's mineral wealth—specifically the silver boom that built Colorado. The gold represents, well, the gold. While the athletic department shifted toward the black and gold look we see on the jerseys today, the song remains a lyrical time capsule of the school’s original aesthetic identity.
When the Band Strikes Up
The University of Colorado "Golden Buffalo" Marching Band is the heart of the operation. They don’t just play the song; they perform it with a level of intensity that matches the altitude.
There’s a specific sequence to how the Colorado University fight song is used during a game. It’s not just played at random. You hear it when the team takes the field. You hear it after every touchdown. You hear it after every extra point. By the end of a high-scoring game, the trumpet players are basically running on pure adrenaline and lip balm.
But the real magic happens during the "Buff Room" or post-game celebrations. Even after a loss, the band often plays a slower, more soulful version of "Alma Mater," but it’s "Glory, Glory, Colorado" that cleanses the palate. It’s the bridge between the game and the rest of your night on The Hill.
That Second Song (The One Everyone Forgets the Name Of)
A lot of fans get confused because CU actually has two prominent songs. There’s "Glory, Glory, Colorado" (the fight song) and then there’s "Go Colorado."
"Go Colorado" is the one with the driving percussion and the repetitive "Go! Fight! CU!" chants. If you're a casual fan, you might think this is the primary Colorado University fight song. It’s shorter, punchier, and easier to clap along to if you’ve had a few craft beers at a tailgate.
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However, "Glory, Glory" is the official one. It’s the one that’s etched into the history books. "Go Colorado" is like the high-energy remix that gets the student section jumping, but "Glory" is the anthem.
The Deion Sanders Effect and Modern Relevance
Let’s talk about the elephant—or the Buffalo—in the room: Coach Prime.
When Deion Sanders arrived in Boulder, everything changed. The brand went global overnight. Suddenly, the Colorado University fight song wasn't just being heard by locals on KOA 850 AM; it was being blasted on national broadcasts every single weekend.
Interestingly, Coach Prime brought a new flavor to the school’s musical identity. While he respects the tradition, he also introduced more modern stadium anthems and hip-hop influences to the pre-game routine. This created a fascinating contrast. You have the 100-plus-year-old tradition of the marching band playing "Glory, Glory" followed immediately by a bass-heavy track that shakes the press box.
Does this dilute the tradition? Not really. It actually makes the fight song feel more grounded. It’s the "north star" of the program's identity. No matter how much the flash and glamor of modern college football changes the atmosphere, those first few bars of the fight song bring everyone back to the roots of the University.
The Controversy You Didn't Know About
Every old song has its quirks. In the past, there have been discussions about the "Glory, Glory" melody being a bit... unoriginal. Some fans have lobbied for a completely unique composition, something that doesn't share DNA with a dozen other schools.
But these efforts usually die out pretty quickly. Why? Because you can’t manufacture 120 years of nostalgia. You can't replace the memory of your grandfather singing those lyrics, or the way the student section leans into the "Hurrah!"
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The Colorado University fight song has survived world wars, conference realignments (from the Big Eight to the Big 12 to the Pac-12 and back to the Big 12 again), and dozens of coaching changes. It’s the only thing that stays the same.
Why the Lyrics Actually Matter
In an era of NIL deals and the transfer portal, college sports can feel a bit corporate. The lyrics "For the Silver and Gold" remind people that this is still about an institution. It’s about the state of Colorado. It’s about a specific place in the foothills of the Rockies.
The song acts as a social glue. It’s one of the few times you’ll see a 19-year-old freshman and a 75-year-old donor doing the exact same thing at the exact same time.
How to Respect the Tradition (A Guide for Newbies)
If you're heading to your first game at Folsom Field, don't just stand there like a tourist. You need to know the protocol for the Colorado University fight song.
- Stand up. This isn't a suggestion. If the band is playing "Glory," you are on your feet.
- The "CU" Hand Sign. Make the "horns" or the "C" and "U" with your hands. It’s a bit of a localized art form.
- The Shout. When the song hits the "Hurrah!" part, you need to mean it. This isn't the time for a polite golf clap.
- Watch Ralphie. Usually, the song is timed with the greatest tradition in college sports: Ralphie’s Lead. The sight of a 1,200-pound buffalo sprinting across the field while the band plays the fight song is peak Americana.
The Technical Side: The Arrangement
Musically, the Colorado University fight song is arranged for a standard marching band instrumentation: trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and a heavy percussion section. The arrangement is typically in B-flat major, which is the "sweet spot" for brass instruments to sound loud and authoritative without being screechy.
If you listen closely, the bass line is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. It provides that "oom-pah" rhythm that keeps the march moving forward. It’s a classic 2/4 time signature, which is basically the heartbeat of a parade.
Actionable Next Steps for Buffs Fans
If you want to truly immerse yourself in the traditions surrounding the Colorado University fight song, here is what you should actually do:
- Visit the Heritage Center: Located in Old Main on the Boulder campus, they have exhibits on the university’s history, including the evolution of its songs and colors.
- Arrive Early for "The Pearl Street Stampede": On Friday nights before home games, the band marches down Pearl Street Mall. It’s the best way to hear the fight song up close without the stadium noise.
- Learn the Alma Mater: While the fight song is for the adrenaline, the Alma Mater ("Should we lose the fight, or win the day...") is for the soul. Learn both to be a true "super fan."
- Check the Band’s YouTube Channel: The Golden Buffalo Marching Band often posts high-quality recordings of their field shows. It’s a great way to hear the nuances of the arrangement that get lost in the stadium wind.
The Colorado University fight song is more than just a piece of music. It’s a territorial claim. It’s a way of saying, "We are here, we are loud, and we belong to these mountains." Whether the Buffs are winning by thirty or fighting through a tough season, the song remains a constant—a loud, brassy reminder of what it means to be "Silver and Gold."