Notre Dame changes century-old fight song to include ‘daughters’ in lyrics

Now, both sons and daughters will be marching on to victory in South Bend, Indiana. 

Notre Dame is changing its popular fight song for the first time in nearly a century, adding “daughters” to the lyrics to honor the “contributions of women” at the Catholic university. The change was made official on Friday, which was the 50th anniversary of the private school’s decision to admit undergraduate women in 1972. 

“The success Notre Dame enjoys has been shaped by the extraordinary leadership and contributions of the women who have been and are a part of the Notre Dame community — beginning with the four Holy Cross sisters who arrived in the Indiana wilderness in 1843, to those who lead, teach, learn, minister and work here today,” the Rev. John I Jenkins, University of Notre Dame president, said in a statement. 

It’s official ☘️

Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send a volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky
What though the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons & DAUGHTERS
MARCH ON to victory pic.twitter.com/aheZD7cQt1

— University of Notre Dame (@NotreDame) June 3, 2022

“On this occasion of the anniversary of the admission of undergraduate women in 1972, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of women as students and graduates. The re-imaging of the Main Circle will be a tribute at the heart of our campus to the ways in which these women have inspired, led and enriched us.” 

The previous version of the “Notre Dame Victory March” read: “While her loyal sons are marching onward to victory.” Now, the inclusion of the word “daughters” has changed the lyric to: “While her loyal sons and daughters, march on to victory.” 

The song is one of the most famous fight songs in college sports, and it is associated with the Fighting Irish’s football program that was highly successful in the 20th century. The song was first played in 1909, but it was altered in 1928 to the version that is known today.