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"The Nittany Lion" redirects here. For the mascot, see Nittany Lion.

"The Nittany Lion" is a traditional fight song played by the Penn State Blue Band at football games and other sporting events. During the pre-game show of home football games at Beaver Stadium, it is part of the traditional Lion Fanfare and Downfield. While it is not the official fight song of Penn State, it is one of the songs most widely associated with the university.

"The Nittany Lion" was written by Penn State graduate and former Glee Club member James Leyden between 1922-1924. Professor Hummel Fishburn and Blue Band Bandmaster Tommy Thompson assisted Leyden in finishing the song, which was premiered at a pep rally the night before a football game to instant popularity.

The second verse was used prior to 1993, when Penn State was a IA Independent school. When it joined the Big Ten athletically in 1993, the second verse was rewritten, and this new version is now used exclusively.

Every college has a legend, passed on from year to year,

To which they pledge allegiance, and always cherish dear.

But of all the honored idols, there’s but one that stands the test,

It’s the stately Nittany Lion, the symbol of our best.

Chorus:

HAIL! to the Lion, loyal and true.

HAIL! Alma Mater, with your white and blue.

PENN! STATE! forever, molder of men (and women),

FIGHT! for her honor — FIGHT! — and victory again.

Indiana has its Hoosiers,

Purdue its gold and black.

The Wildcats from Northwestern

and Spartans on attack.

Ohio State has its Buckeyes,

Up north, The Wolverines.

But the mighty Nittany Lions,

The best they’ve ever seen.

(Chorus)

There’s Pittsburgh with its Panther,

and Penn her Red and Blue,

Dartmouth with its Indian,

and Yale her Bulldog, too.

There’s Princeton with its Tiger,

and Cornell with its Bear.

But speaking now of victory,

We’ll get the Lion’s share.

(Chorus)

• Range, Thomas E.; Sean Patrick Smith (1999). The Penn State Blue Band: A Century of Pride and Precision. Penn State Press, 232. ISBN 0271019603. 

• Mp3 of "The Nittany Lion" at the Penn State Blue Band website
• Mp3 of "The Nittany Lion" at the Penn State Glee Club website