By Lesley Henton, Texas A&M Division of Marketing & Communications
Texas A&M University is celebrating 100 years of singing the Aggie War Hymn.
The War Hymn was written in 1918 by Texas A&M student J.V. “Pinky” Wilson, who left the university to enlist in the Marines and fight in World War I. He was assigned to France where he first began to write the lyrics of what would eventually become the War Hymn.
Today, Aggies all around the world sing the song at a variety of events and gatherings, from football games to weddings, arm-in-arm as they “saw varsity’s horns off.”
A&M President Michael K. Young encourages the Aggie community to celebrate as Albritton Bell Tower plays the famous song at noon each day through Saturday.
“As you know, the War Hymn is no ordinary song — it is a connecting force, which continues to unite hundreds of thousands of current and former students around the world in the Aggie spirit,” Young wrote in a letter to campus published online Monday.
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp responds the way many Aggies do when hearing the familiar song.
“The Aggie War Hymn literally moves me,” the 1972 graduate says. “Every time I hear it, I can feel the stands of the old Kyle Field swaying beneath my feet. It remains one of my favorite traditions from Aggieland.”
Current students are equally moved by the Aggie War Hymn.
"When I think of the War Hymn, I cannot help but feel nostalgic,” says Mitchell Moczygemba, Texas A&M class of 2019 and chair of the Traditions Council student organization. “The cadence begins and every Aggie in the room lights up with excitement; memories from their time at A&M and the notion of the Aggie Family and Aggie Spirit become more of a visible expression. When you sing the words, you remember the rich history of Texas A&M, and when you ‘saw ’em off’ you can’t help but feel yourself swaying with 100 years of Aggie history."
The university will pay tribute to Wilson and the centennial celebration during halftime at the Aggies football game versus Ole Miss at Kyle Field on Nov. 10.
The halftime tribute will feature a special performance by the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, as well as recognition of Wilson family members.
This article is available on Texas A&M Today.
