If you walk into Kyle Field on a Saturday afternoon, you’re going to hear 100,000 people screaming at the top of their lungs. It is deafening. But here is the weird thing that trips up every first-time visitor: if you ask a student for the Texas A&M University fight song lyrics, they might give you a blank stare.
Technically, they don't have one.
Aggies have the "Aggie War Hymn." It’s a subtle distinction, sure, but in College Station, those distinctions are everything. This isn't just a catchy tune played by a brass band; it’s a foundational text of the university's culture. Most schools have a song that says "Go Team Go" or "Win the Game." A&M has a manual for a specific brand of spirited, slightly obsessed, and deeply traditional warfare on the gridiron.
The Story Behind the Aggie War Hymn
Most people think these songs are written by committee or some music professor in a dusty office. Not this one. James V. "Pinky" Wilson wrote the lyrics in 1918 while he was literally in a trench in France during World War I. He was a deck of cards short—well, he actually wrote the words on the back of a leaf from a notebook using a pencil—while shells were whistling overhead. He wasn't thinking about marketing or "brand identity." He was homesick and probably a little bit terrified.
Wilson was a member of the Class of 1920. When he got back to Texas, the song didn't just explode overnight. It took a while to settle into the soul of the place. By the time it was officially adopted, it had become the heartbeat of the 12th Man.
The music itself draws from a variety of influences, but it’s that opening bugle call that really gets the blood moving. It’s a call to arms. Honestly, if you aren't an Aggie, the whole thing can feel a bit intense. But for those in the maroon and white, it’s home.
Breaking Down the Texas A&M University Fight Song Lyrics
Let's look at the actual words. You’ll notice something immediately: the first half of the song is almost entirely about the University of Texas.
Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck!
Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck!
All hail to dear old Texas A&M
Rally around Maroon and White
Good luck to dear old Texas A&M
They are the boys who show the real fight
That other dash-line-dash-line-dash
Can never show the real fight
So let’s give a yell
(Yell)
Done give ‘em hell
(Yell)
For dear old Texas A&M.📖 Related: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
Wait, what’s with the "dash-line-dash"? That’s a polite way of saying the song originally had some pretty pointed words for the Longhorns. Even today, the second verse—which is the one everyone actually sings at the games—is basically a breakup letter to Austin.
Goodbye to Texas University
So long to the Orange and the White
Good luck to dear old Texas University
They are the boys that show the real fight
“The eyes of Texas are upon you”
That is the song they sing so well
So goodbye to Texas University
We’re going to beat you boys to—Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem
Rough Tough! Real Stuff! Texas A&M!
It is fascinatingly petty. Think about it. A&M is playing Alabama or LSU or Florida, and what are they singing? They are singing about how they are going to beat a team that, for several years, wasn't even on their schedule. That is the level of rivalry we are talking about here. It’s baked into the DNA.
The "Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem" part? Nobody really knows what that means. It’s an old-school yell. It sounds like a rhythmic machine, and when 100,000 people shout it in unison, it doesn't matter what it means. It just feels powerful.
The Tradition of Sawing Varsity’s Horns Off
You cannot talk about the lyrics without talking about what happens when the song ends. After the singing stops, the crowd leans forward, grabs the backs of the people next to them, and starts swaying side to side.
This is "sawing Varsity's horns off."
"Varsity" was the original name for the University of Texas's mascot (now Bevo). The physical motion of the crowd is meant to simulate a giant saw cutting through the horns of the Longhorn. If you are standing in the upper decks of Kyle Field when this happens, the entire stadium actually moves. It sways. Engineers have had to design the stadium specifically to handle the "live load" of tens of thousands of people rhythmicly vibrating the concrete.
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It’s slightly terrifying if you’re afraid of heights. But it’s also one of the coolest sights in college sports.
Why the Lyrics Matter for the 12th Man
The Texas A&M University fight song lyrics aren't just for the football players. They are for the 12th Man—the student body.
Back in 1922, a guy named E. King Gill was in the stands. The team was getting decimated by injuries against Centre College. The coach called Gill down, he put on a uniform, and he stood on the sidelines ready to play. He never actually got in the game, but he was the last man standing. That’s why Aggies stand for the entire game. They are waiting to be called in.
The War Hymn is the soundtrack to that readiness. It’s not a passive experience. You don't just sit there and clap. You yell. You howl. You "hump it" (which is the specific way Aggies lean forward during yells to project their voices).
Common Misconceptions About the Song
People get a lot of things wrong about this song.
First, people think there’s a "clean" version and a "dirty" version. Not really. There’s the original 1918 version and the version people actually sing. Over the decades, some of the more archaic slang has faded, but the core—the "Goodbye to Texas University" part—has remained untouched.
Second, folks often think the "Hullabaloo" part is just gibberish. While it sounds like it, "Hullabaloo" was a common college cheer word in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You’ll find it in a lot of old school songs, but A&M is one of the few places where it actually stuck and became iconic.
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Third, there's the "Spirit of Aggieland." That’s the school’s alma mater. It’s slower, more reverent. People often confuse the two if they just hear the band playing, but the lyrics are completely different. The War Hymn is for the fight; the Spirit of Aggieland is for the soul.
How to Lean into the Tradition
If you’re planning on attending a game, don't just try to mumble along. You’ll stand out like a sore thumb.
- Memorize the second verse first. That’s the one that starts with "Goodbye to Texas University." That is 90% of what you need to know.
- Learn the hand signals. Aggie Yell Leaders use specific signals (called "pass-it-backs") to tell the crowd which yell is coming next. The War Hymn has its own rhythm.
- Expect the "Hump it" stance. When the lyrics get to the yells, everyone leans forward with their hands on their knees. It helps with the acoustics. It looks weird. Just go with it.
- Watch the clock. The War Hymn is played at very specific times—after scores, at the end of quarters, and most importantly, at the end of the game regardless of whether the Aggies won or lost.
The Cultural Impact Beyond the Stadium
This song has been played in space. It’s been played on battlefields. It’s played at weddings and, sadly, at funerals of former students. It’s a shorthand for a specific kind of loyalty.
When an Aggie hears the first few notes of the War Hymn, they aren't just thinking about a football game in 2026. They are thinking about the bonfire, the corps, the ring, and every Saturday they spent sweating in the Texas heat.
It’s a connection to Pinky Wilson in a trench in 1918. It’s a connection to the thousands of Aggies who served in World War II (more than any other school, including the service academies). The lyrics are a reminder that A&M started as a military school, and while it’s a massive research university now, that "war" spirit is still there in the lyrics.
Actionable Steps for New Fans
If you want to truly master the Texas A&M University fight song lyrics and the culture surrounding them, start here:
- Listen to the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band's recording. They play it at a very specific tempo. If you sing it too fast or too slow, you'll be off-sync with the rest of the stadium.
- Attend Midnight Yell Practice. This happens at the stadium the night before every home game. It’s where the Yell Leaders teach the lyrics and the yells to the freshmen (and any confused visitors). It’s free, it’s loud, and it’s the best way to learn without the pressure of a live game.
- Practice the "Sawing" motion. Find a friend, lock arms, and practice the side-to-side sway. Remember: your feet stay planted. You move from the hips.
- Read the First Verse. Even though it’s rarely sung, knowing the "Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck!" part gives you serious "Old Ag" credibility.
The Aggie War Hymn isn't just a song; it’s a living piece of Texas history. Whether you’re a student, an alum, or just a curious sports fan, understanding these lyrics is the key to understanding one of the most unique cultures in all of American sports.