Nov. 12, 2009

The George Mason University Fight Song has been around for more than 20 years but it has largely been an instrumental tune with fans singing just a handful of lines near the song's end. Two sets of lyrics have been written previously, but neither truly caught on with the Mason faithful.

This summer, Mason band director Dr. Michael Nickens, known to the world as Doc Nix, sat down and put together a new set of lyrics to go with the existing fight song that he and The Green Machine will play at athletic and campus events, especially at men's and women's basketball games.

"The goal was to come up with something that was catchy and represented the intention of the community in terms of achievement and pride," Nickens said. "An instruction manual on how to be a fan and how to be a Patriot."

Nickens started by looking at the two sets of previous lyrics written for the Fight Song. "I thought this was a good opportunity to combine both versions into something that was strong, that people enjoyed and fit well with the music," Nickens said. "It's a challenge to write lyrics, especially if the music has already been written. So I combined the two poems, added a few of my own touches and that's how we got the current lyrics."

What are the current lyrics?

"Hail to George Mason!

Don your Green and Gold!

We're going to sing for George Mason,

Patriots brave and bold!

We're going to cheer for George Mason,

Proud for the world to see!

We'll prove our honor and might,

And we'll FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

As we march onward to victory!"

The early reviews of the new lyrics song, which were debuted at Mason Madness, have been nothing but positive.

"The change has seemed to go over well," Nickens said. "I've been getting good response from fans and we're looking forward to when large numbers of people know it and can participate together. We're hoping it changes from a performance into a ritual."