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UNC Cheerleaders

Clips provided in RealAudio

For clips in .au format that you can download to your desktop, be sure to visit The Marching Tar Heels. Seven songs are displayed below to play separately. Or just click here to play all seven in one collection:

All Seven Songs

1. Hark The Sound

The school's Alma Mater, "Hark The Sound", is the oldest song of the University. Adapted by William Starr Myers, a senior class member of the Glee Club in 1897, the Alma Mater is based on the popular tune, "Amici". It was first sung on June 2 of that year by a student, Francis A. Grudger, for a commencement concert in Gerrard Hall. The second and third verses were added in subsequent years, and in the early 1930's, the rousing choruses of "I'm a Tar Heel Born" were added. Recorded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Marching Tar Heels by permission of the Alumni Association.

Hark The Sound

Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices
Ringing clear and true.
Singing Carolina's praises.
Shouting N-C-U.
Hail to the brightest star of all
Clear its radiance shine
Carolina priceless gem.
Receive all praises thine.

2. UNC's Official Fight Song

Originally used as a simple addition to the school's alma mater, "Hark The Sound," "I'm a Tar Heel Born" has grown in popularity since the early 1930's and now enjoys the status of Carolina's official school fight song. Recorded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Marching Tar Heels by permission of the Alumni Association.

I'm a Tar Heel Born

I'm a Tar Heel born
I'm a Tar Heel bred
And when I die
I'm a Tar Heel dead.
So it's Rah, Rah, Car'lina-lina
Rah, Rah, Car'lina-lina
Rah, Rah, Car'lina-lina
Rah! Rah! Rah!

3. Carolina Victory

In addition to "Tar Heels on Hand", the year 1938 brought to Carolina another of the great march tunes, the "Carolina Victory March". The song was written by Robert McManeus ('38), a trombonist in the band. Although the Victory song is traditionally played after a Tar Heel triumph, McManeus wrote the song after watching the Tar Heels lose to Duke one rainy afternoon. His prophetic words "There'll be a Carolina Victory" rang true; the song was first sung at a Friday night pep rally before the Tar Heels defeated Virginia Polytechnic Institute the next day. Recorded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Marching Tar Heels by permission of the Alumni Association.

Carolina Victory

There'll be a Carolina victory
When cross the field our foe has fled
Cheer our team to Victory
For we are Tar Heels born and bred
Glory, glory U-N-C
Our hearts will live with thee
Rah, Rah, Rah!
Fight! Fight! Fight! For the blue and white
Are rolling to victory!

4. Here Comes Carolina

In the fall of 1924, "Here Comes Carolina" was written and composed by Lonnie Sides ('26) and head cheerleader Vic Huggins ('25). After teaching the residents of the newly-constructed women's dormitory (Spencer) the song, all students joined in a special cheering section at Emerson Field for football games. Recorded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Marching Tar Heels by permission of the Alumni Association.

Here Comes Carolina

Here comes Carolina-lina
Here comes Carolina-lina
We hail from NCU
We've got the team to win it
We've got the spirit in it
We wear the colors white and blue
So it's fight, fight, fight for Carolina
As Davie did in days of old
As we rally round the Well
Cheer that Tar Heel team like Hell
For the glory of NCU

5. Tar Heels on Hand

Both verses of "Tar Heels on Hand" were written by the famous big-band leader Kay Kyser ('27) for an appearance on the Bing Crosby show in 1937. Fellow alumnus John Scott Trotter, Bing Crosby's orchestra leader, composed the catchy 6/8 tune and accompaniment. The following year, the song was given to the University as an official school song. Kyser, a former head cheerleader at UNC, is also recognized for writing "The Woody Woodpecker Song" for the 1940's cartoon. Recorded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Marching Tar Heels by permission of the Alumni Association.

Tar Heels on Hand

Tar Heels on Hand,
To steal the Thunder from the Sky:
Then take our stand,
As every man does right
By blue and white
We'll give the Tar Heels a Hand
And cheer them on to do or die.
YEA, all of us are for U-N-C
And you can betcha we're proud to be the
Tar Heels on Hand.

6. North Carolina

The only school song that was not composed by a Carolina student or alumnus is "North Carolina", written in 1963 by the North Carolina Department of Tourism. The song extols the beauty of the state with a lively tune; recognizing the song's appropriateness at the flagship university of the State, the band acquired the song in 1964 and has performed it ever since. Recorded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Marching Tar Heels by permission of the Alumni Association.

North Carolina

North Carolina, friendly mountain breezes
North Carolina, with it's sandy beaches.
Wonderland of Variety, coast to mountains
It's great to be right here in
North Carolina, love the pines around in
North Carolina, I'm staying where the
Livin' is right each day and night
In North Carolina.
North Carolina, famous moon above it,
North Carolina, everybody loves it,
Smoky Mountains touch the sky.
Soft spring breezes leave a sigh
To be in North Carolina, bigger land of pleasure
North Carolina, It's the greatest treasure;
Where the moon shines through tall green pines
In North Carolina.

7. Carolina Fight Song

The current fight song for North Carolina is "Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred," which became the Univeristy's official fight song in 19xx. Prior to this, the official fight song was Carolina Fight Song. The old fight song is still played at sporting events, however, and has recently seen an increase in popularity among students and alumni alike.

Carolina Fight Song

Carolina Carolina Fight! for N.C.U.
All Hail to colors White and Blue
Let's make a touchdown Carolina
Fight! We Fight for Alma Mater
Fight! 'Til Day is Through
We sing your Praises Carolina
Fight! Fight for N.C.U.