The original Boise State fight song, “Orange and Blue, ” was written by student Eldred Renk in 1940 when the school was Boise Junior College:
Orange and Blue (original)
Hold that line for Boise Junior College,
Broncos, we’re counting hard on you.
Fight for tradition and your Alma Mater
Fight for the Orange and Blue;
Come on, keep fighting.
We’ll applaud you from the
grandstand, Broncos,
We’ll cheer you on to victory.
While we cheer and stand up
Keep your stand up;
For the glory of B-J-C.
A slightly revised version was used when Boise Junior College became Boise College and a 4-year institution in 1965:
Orange and Blue (Boise College years, 1965-1974)
Hold that line for Boise College,
Broncos we’re counting hard on you.
Fight for tradition and your alma mater
Fight for the Orange and the Blue
Fight, Fight, Fight!
We’ll applaud you from the
Grandstand, Broncos
We’ll cheer you on to victory;
While we cheer and stand up
Keep your sand up…
For the glory of BC.
When Boise State College became Boise State University in 1974, the university held a nationwide competition for a new fight song. Fans voted to keep “Orange and Blue” as the official Boise State University fight song:
Orange and Blue (1974-early 1990s)
Hold that line for Broncos Orange and Blue
Broncos, we’re counting hard on you.
Fight for tradition and your Alma Mater,
Fight for the Orange and the Blue,
Come on keep fighting.
We’ll applaud you from the grandstand Broncos,
We’ll cheer you on to victory.
While we cheer and stand up
Keep your sand up
For the glory of B.S.U.
A minimally revised version (circa 1990) is still the fight song today:
Orange and Blue:
Fight Broncos, Celebrate the Orange and Blue
Boise will stand and cheer for you
Fight for distinction and our alma mater
Bravely Defending B-S-U
Fight on Courageously for Boise State
Success and honor make her great
Boise’s proud tradition-
Head’s up Competition
Glory for B-S-U!
Go Orange
Go big blue
Fight! Fight! BSU!
See also: School Songs, for additional original Boise State songs and jingles.
Sources:
- MSS 132 Box 1 Folders 42 and 88
- MSS 66 Folder 307
- Boise State University Fight Song Case File
Written by Annika Severts, Spring 2018 intern