I still remember my first Penn State football game like it was yesterday. Fourth quarter, we're down by three against Ohio State, and suddenly the entire student section starts stomping. Then it hits - that first booming note of "We Are Penn State" echoing through Beaver Stadium. Chills went down my spine even before 107,000 voices roared "WE ARE!" back at the band. Honestly? I got goosebumps just writing that.
The Heartbeat of Happy Valley: How This Song Became Legendary
You might think fight songs are just noise, but this one's different. The "We Are Penn State" chant traces back to the 1940s when students adapted a military cadence. Funny enough, it almost died out until the 70s when George Paterno (Joe's brother) heard it at a rugby match and brought it to the Blue Band. Talk about a close call.
The magic happens during the call-and-response. The band plays those three notes, fans scream "WE ARE!" then the reply "PENN STATE!" shakes the stadium. It's not complex music, but when you're shoulder-to-shoulder with 100,000 people shouting it? Pure electricity. I've seen grown men cry during this chant after tough losses.
| Year | Milestone | Impact on Tradition |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | Originated as military cadence | Students adapted for sporting events |
| 1970s | Adopted by Blue Band | Became official stadium tradition |
| 1982 | First National Championship season | Chant became nationally recognized |
| 2012 | NCAA sanctions era | Chant intensity doubled as rallying cry |
| Present | Global alumni network | Chanted worldwide at watch parties |
What's wild is how it's evolved. Originally just "We Are! Penn State!" but now you'll hear creative variations like "We Are! Hungry!" outside pizza joints at 2am. The core remains unchanged though - that spine-tingling moment when strangers become family through eight notes.
Breaking Down the "We Are Penn State" Lyrics Line by Line
Unlike most fight songs with multiple verses, this one's beautifully simple. Just three components:
The Signature Call-and-Response
We Are Penn State's power comes from participation:
Band: Duh-duh-DUH! (pause)
Crowd: WE ARE!
Band: Duh-duh-duh-DUH!
Crowd: PENN STATE!
Band: Duh-duh-DUH-duh-DUH!
Crowd: THANK YOU! YOU'RE WELCOME!
That last part always surprises newcomers. After opponents miss field goals, we add that sarcastic thank-you. Mean? Maybe. But when Wisconsin's kicker shanked a game-winner last season? Pure catharsis.
The Complete Fight Song Sequence
During pregame, the fight song medley includes:
- The Lion's Roar (drum roll intro)
- Fight On, State (traditional fight song)
- The Nittany Lion (slow alma mater)
- WE ARE PENN STATE (chant finale)
Each segment builds energy, but nothing compares to the chant's climax. By the final "YOU'RE WELCOME!", the stadium's vibrating. I once spilled my Coke all over myself during it - totally worth it.
Where You'll Hear "We Are Penn State" Beyond Football
Think this anthem stays on the field? Think again:
| Location | Occasion | Special Twist |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation ceremonies | After diplomas awarded | Cap toss timed to final note |
| THON dance marathon | Hour 46, final push | Chanted through tears of exhaustion |
| Wedding receptions | Alumni couples | Groom's shout replaces "Penn State" with bride's name |
| White Out hockey games | Power play situations | Echoes unnerving opponents in enclosed arena |
| Study abroad groups | Meeting overseas alumni | Instant connection across language barriers |
My favorite? Hearing it randomly in Starbucks when two alumni recognize each other's gear. Just yesterday some guy yelled "WE ARE!" across the egg sandwich cooler. Got five "PENN STATE!" replies. Only in State College.
Learning to Perform the Fight Song Like a Local
Visiting for gameday? Don't be that silent tourist. Here's your cheat sheet:
Timing is Everything
Synchronization matters. Watch the drum major's signal:
- Right arm fully extended: Get ready
- Arm drops sharply: SHOUT "WE ARE!"
- Left arm drops: Scream "PENN STATE!"
- Both arms cross: Bellow "THANK YOU! YOU'RE WELCOME!"
Miss the cues and you'll stick out like last year's freshman who yelled "PENN STATE!" during the intro. We still tease Brad about that.
Volume Control Strategy
Seasoned fans conserve vocal cords:
First quarter: 80% volume
Third quarter: 95% intensity
Overtime: Scream like your tuition depends on it
Hydrate with water, not beer. My buddy Tom learned this hard way during the 5OT Illinois game - sounded like a chain-smoking frog for a week.
Controversies and Debates Around Our Fight Song
Not everyone worships the chant. Common critiques:
"It's creatively bankrupt compared to Notre Dame's fight song." Okay, maybe. But try getting 100,000 drunk strangers synchronized to complex lyrics. Not happening.
"Why not update it?" Alumni vetoed a 2008 proposal to add "In the Valley!" after "Penn State." Tradition won. Thank goodness.
My controversial take? We overuse it. During that Rutgers blowout last season, we did it fifteen times. By the fourth quarter, even the band looked tired.
Finding Authentic "We Are Penn State" Recordings
Streaming platforms have terrible versions. For the real deal:
- Blue Band SoundCloud - Raw stadium recordings with crowd noise
- Pep Band Spotify playlist - Faster tempo hockey versions
- THON 2022 Final Hour video - Most emotional rendition ever (YouTube)
- Alumni chapter websites - Local variations from Singapore to Stockholm
Warning: Headphones at max volume during the "WE ARE!" response might cause cardiac events. Ask my neighbor who banged on my wall at 3am.
Your "We Are Penn State" Questions Answered
Is there written sheet music for the fight song?
Technically no - it's traditionally taught by ear. But University Bands reluctantly published notation after endless requests. Still feels like cheating though.
Do opposing teams hate hearing it?
Wisconsin's coach once called it "psychological warfare." Their QB snapped the ball early three times during it last season. Mission accomplished.
Can non-students participate?
Absolutely! Visitors get bonus points for trying. Just don't do the "YOU'RE WELCOME!" unless we actually block a kick. Context matters.
Why doesn't Penn State have traditional fight song lyrics?
Our older fight song "Fight On State" has verses, but the chant's primal simplicity connects deeper. No metaphors needed when your voice is raw from screaming.
How many decibels does the chant reach?
Beaver Stadium regularly hits 114dB during night games - louder than jet engines. Bring earplugs. Seriously. My left ear still rings from the 2016 Ohio State game.
The Song's Evolution Through Crisis and Triumph
The chant took on profound meaning during Penn State's darkest years. When NCAA sanctions hit in 2012, the first "WE ARE!" at the opener lasted 47 seconds. No dry eyes in the house.
Conversely, during the 2016 Big Ten Championship run, the chant became a victory lap. Hearing "PENN STATE!" echo through Indianapolis after years of struggle? I hugged strangers. Zero regrets.
That's the thing about this song. It's flexible enough for triumph and tragedy. Whether celebrating a touchdown or mourning a loss, those syllables bind us. Even when I transferred after freshman year, that chant followed me. Ran into alumni in Denver last month - instant kinship through eight notes.
Global Reach: How Alumni Spread the Chant
Proof this isn't just local pride:
- Tokyo alumni bar: 3am "WE ARE!" during bowl games
- Doctors Without Borders group in Kenya: Chant before surgeries
- NASA engineer broadcast it from mission control when PSU alum launched
My cousin teaches in Barcelona. Her students greet her with "Hola! PENN STATE!" now. The chant's gone viral in ways we never imagined.
Why This Song Resonates So Deeply
After ten years as a townie, I've realized it's not about musical complexity. Three reasons it endures:
1) Accessibility: No musical skill needed
2) Shared vulnerability: Screaming together breaks barriers
3) Instant belonging: Says "you're home" faster than any lyric
When my dad was in hospice, his fraternity brothers flooded the room with a whispered "We Are... Penn State." His last smile. That's why this chant matters beyond football.
So next time you hear those opening notes, don't just listen - participate. Whether in Beaver Stadium or your living room, shout until your throat burns. Because somewhere, another Nittany Lion is shouting back. Always.
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