You're standing in U.S. Bank Stadium. The air is thick with the scent of overpriced stadium nachos and pure, unadulterated anxiety. Suddenly, a low rumble starts. It’s the drum.
Boom. Thousands of hands go up.
Boom. "SKOL!"
If you've ever been to a game or even just sat on a barstool in Northeast Minneapolis on a Sunday, you know the drill. But honestly, most fans—even the ones with the Helga horns glued to their heads—mess up the mn vikings song lyrics or have no clue where they actually came from. It's not just some random viking-themed polka. It’s a 60-plus-year-old piece of Minnesota history that almost got replaced by a Prince song.
Think about that. Prince.
The Fight Song Everyone mumbles
The official anthem is "Skol, Vikings." It was written back in 1961 by James "Red" McLeod. He was a local Edina guy and basically the king of Minnesota fight songs—he did work for the University of Minnesota Gophers too.
Most people know the first two lines and then just start making aggressive noises that sound like "Go team!" until the spelling part starts.
Here are the actual, factual lyrics:
Skol Vikings, let's win this game,
Skol Vikings, honor your name,
Go get that first down,
Then get a touchdown.
Rock 'em . . . Sock 'em.
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
Go Vikings, run up the score,
You'll hear us yell for more. . .
V-I-K-I-N-G-S.
Skol, Vikings, let's go!
It's short. It's punchy. It sounds like something your grandpa would hum while shoveling the driveway.
McLeod knew what he was doing. He kept the meter simple so 66,000 drunk people could theoretically stay in sync. Of course, "theoretically" is the keyword there. By the time the crowd gets to the "Rock 'em... Sock 'em" part, it's usually just a chaotic wall of sound.
That Time Prince Tried to Change the Vibe
Back in 2010, the Vikings were on a tear. Brett Favre was doing Brett Favre things (the good version), and the team was heading into the NFC Championship. Prince—yes, the Prince—was a massive fan. He sat in a suite at the Metrodome, watched them beat the Cowboys, and went home to Paisley Park to record "Purple and Gold."
It’s... a choice.
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Instead of a rowdy fight song, Prince wrote a slow, soaring, almost gospel-like hymn.
"The veil of the sky draws open / The roar of the chariots touch down / We are the ones who have now come again / And walk upon water like solid ground."
It’s beautiful, in a weird way. But it didn't exactly get people ready to run through a brick wall. It felt more like the music you'd play while mourning a 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty. Fans didn't really take to it as a game-day anthem, and "Skol, Vikings" kept its crown.
The Chant vs. The Song
You've gotta distinguish between the fight song lyrics and the "Skol Chant." People get these mixed up all the time.
The chant—the slow clap with the drum—isn't even originally Minnesotan. It was borrowed from the Icelandic National Soccer team after their 2016 Euro run. The Vikings launched it when they moved into the new stadium.
It's way more intimidating than the song.
When that giant Gjallarhorn sounds—which, by the way, is a mythological Norse horn that signals the arrival of the gods—it’s supposed to be terrifying. It's funny because the actual song lyrics mention "running up the score," but the chant is what actually makes the opposing quarterback sweat.
Why "Skol" Isn't Just a Word
What does it actually mean? You'll hear people say it means "cheers."
Basically, yeah.
It comes from the Scandinavian word skål. Back in the day, it referred to a communal drinking bowl. You'd pass it around, take a swig, and wish everyone health.
There's a persistent myth that it refers to drinking out of the skulls of your enemies. That’s probably not true. Historians generally agree the "skull" thing is a bit of Victorian-era creative writing. But hey, it fits the football vibe, so fans keep the legend alive.
Other Songs You'll Hear (The Unofficial Playlist)
"Skol, Vikings" isn't the only thing playing in the speakers. The team has a weirdly specific musical identity.
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- "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin: This is the gold standard. When that "Ah-ah-aaaaa-ah" hits, the stadium loses its mind. It’s the literal perfect song for a team called the Vikings.
- "Purple Rain": Obviously. It’s played after every win (when they happen) and during every pre-game tribute. It’s the unofficial state anthem of Minnesota.
- "Truth Hurts" by Lizzo: Specifically the line about the "New man on the Minnesota Vikings." It’s a staple now.
- "Twilight of the Thunder God" by Amon Amarth: If you're into the heavy metal side of things, this gets played to hype up the defensive line.
Getting the Lyrics Right Matters
Look, the Vikings have a "complicated" history. Wide right field goals. Bountygate. The Minneapolis Miracle followed by a blowout in Philly.
When you're a fan of this team, tradition is all you've got.
Knowing the mn vikings song lyrics is a rite of passage. It connects the 1961 expansion team at Metropolitan Stadium to the high-tech era of 2026.
If you’re going to a game, don't just stand there when the "V-I-K-I-N-G-S" spell-out starts.
Quick Cheat Sheet for Game Day
- The Song: Play it when they score a touchdown.
- The Chant: Do it before kickoff and after a big defensive stop.
- The Gjallarhorn: Just scream. No lyrics needed.
- The Spelling: It’s V-I-K-I-N-G-S. Not "Vikes." Don't be that guy who finishes three beats early.
The fight song might be old-fashioned, but it’s ours. It survived the Metrodome era, it survived the TCF Bank Stadium outdoor era, and it’ll be there long after we’re all gone.
To get the full experience, pull up a recording of the 1961 original. It has a brassy, big-band feel that you just don't get in modern NFL production. Learn the "Rock 'em, Sock 'em" timing—it's faster than you think. Once you have the rhythm down, you're ready for the North.
Skol.
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Next Steps for Vikings Fans
To really master the stadium atmosphere, your next move is to memorize the cadence of the Skol Chant drum beat, as it differs slightly from the Icelandic version. You should also look up the specific schedule for the Gjallarhorn "Honorary Vikings" this season, as the lyrics are often preceded by a celebrity appearance that sets the tone for the entire performance.