A key musical tradition at the University of Pennsylvania Commencement, ‘The Red and Blue’ dates back not quite as far as founder Benjamin Franklin, but rather to two graduates of the 1890s.
2 min. read
Sung at all official University occasions, “The Red and Blue” was composed by William J. Goeckel, College Class of 1895 and Law Class of 1896. The words were written by Harry E. Westervelt, Medicine Class of 1898.
From start to finish, music resounds through the University Commencement ceremony. As families arrive and take their seats in Franklin Field, a brass band’s notes ripple through the stands, setting the stage for the processional led by the Penn Band and bagpipers. Following the opening proclamation by the chair of the Board of Trustees, a graduating senior sings the National Anthem. And the ceremony concludes with the traditional singing of “The Red and Blue,” led by the Penn Glee Club.
Composed more than 125 years ago, with music by William J. Goeckel, College Class of 1895 and Law Class of 1896, and lyrics by Harry E. Westervelt, Medicine Class of 1898, “The Red and Blue” has become Penn’s unofficial anthem. The song is a standout at moments throughout a Penn academic journey—from Convocation to Commencement and many events in between.
Ahead of Commencement, Penn Today shares the song’s lyrics—the first verse of which is sung at Commencement—and a video to guide guests and students alike in this uniquely Penn tradition.
“The Red and Blue”
(Verse 1)
Come all ye loyal classmates now In hall and campus through, Lift up your hearts and voices For the Royal Red and Blue Fair Harvard has her crimson Old Yale her colors too, But for dear Pennsylvania We wear the Red and Blue.
(Refrain)
Hurrah, hurrah Pennsylvania! Hurrah for the Red and the Blue! Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, Hurrah for the Red and Blue!
A deeper dive
While the first verse and refrain are the most commonly performed and played at official functions, the second through fifth verses, which are omitted during Commencement, hit other notes
Following are those lyrics, noting there may be some variations.
(Verse 2)
One color’s in the blushing rose, The other tints the clouds And when together both disclose, We’re happy as the gods, We ask no other emblem, No other sign to view, We only ask to see and cheer, Our colors Red and Blue
(Verse 3)
How often when on fields of sport, We’ve seen our boys go through, The very air was rent in twain With cheers for Red and Blue We knew that victory then was ours, All else we might eschew, If only we could wave and sing, Our colors Red and Blue
(Verse 4)
And then upon the breast of her Whose heart beats warm and true It is the dearest sight of all To see our Red and Blue She wears them with a smile so bright It wakes our hearts anew, To swear eternal loyalty, To dear old Red and Blue
(Verse 5)
And now thru’ all the years to come, In midst of toil and care, We’ll get new inspiration from The colors waving there. And when to all our college life, We’ve said our last adieu We’ll never say adieu to thee Our colors Red and Blue
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