"Boomer Sooner"

This audio clip is presented in the Windows Media format. Click here to download your free player if you do not already have this program on your computer: Play Here. Or download full .WAV clip here. (704KB)

It is clear to see that the last line of the yell was used to make the first verse of “Boomer Sooner,” and is one of the most recognizable college fight songs in the country. It is performed by The Pride of Oklahoma (the OU marching band) at most Sooner athletic events and immediately evokes enthusiasm from OU fans and sends chills down the spines of those who dare to oppose them.

In 1905, Arthur M. Alden, a student in history and physiology whose father was a Norman jeweler, wrote the lyrics to the fight song, borrowing the tune from Yale University’s “Boola Boola” but improvising the words. A year later, an addition was made to it from North Carolina’s “I’m a Tarheel Born” and the two combined from the university’s fight song today.

Though the tune was first made known by Yale, the everlasting success of Sooner squads have taken the melody of “Boomer Sooner” to national popularity.

Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner
Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner
Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner
Boomer Sooner, OK U!
Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Oklahoma, Oklahoma
Oklahoma, OK U!
I’m a Sooner-born and Sooner-bred
and when I die, I’ll be Sooner-dead
Rah Oklahoma, Rah Oklahoma
Rah Oklahoma, OK U!