Vintage College Football Sheet Music (1890s – 1930s)

While most of my Football Friday posts focus on the National Football League, I don’t want to forget the college game. After all, that’s where American football got its start — and where it was most popular up until about the mid 20th century.

So for something a little different, I’ve pulled together a gallery of vintage college football sheet music covers, most of which feature timeless school fight songs. Why sheet music, you ask? Honestly, I have no idea. But you know I love old ephemera, so that’s all the reason I need really.

"Football; Or, Misery and Mud" - W.G. Eaton/Wal Pink, 1894

“Football; Or, Misery and Mud” – W.G. Eaton and Wal Pink, 1894

"The Victors" -  Louis Elbel, 1899

“The Victors” – Louis Elbel, 1899

“The Victors” is the fight song of the University of Michigan.

"Hip-Hip-Hoo-Ray" - F.R. Kimball, 1902

“Hip-Hip-Hoo-Ray” – F.R. Kimball, 1902

"Three Times Three for Harvard" - Richard Inglis/William H. Smith, 1902

“Three Times Three for Harvard” – Richard Inglis and William H. Smith, 1902

"The Rush Line" - A.M. Hirsh, 1900

“The Rush Line” – A.M. Hirsh, 1900

"On Iowa" - W.R. Law, 1919

“On Iowa” – W.R. Law, 1919

“On Iowa” is one of three fight songs currently used by the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band, along with “Iowa Fight Song” and “Roll Along Iowa.”

"Roll On, Tulane (The Olive and Blue)" - Marten Ten Hoor and Walter Goldstein, 1925

“Roll On, Tulane (The Olive and Blue)” – Marten Ten Hoor and Walter Goldstein, 1925

"Football Freddy (My Collegiate Man)" - Edgar Leslie and Con Conrad, 1930

“Football Freddy (My Collegiate Man)” – Edgar Leslie and Con Conrad, 1930

"I Fell Asleep at the Football Game" - Abner Silver, Al Sherman, and Al Lewis, 1935

“I Fell Asleep at the Football Game” – Abner Silver, Al Sherman, and Al Lewis, 1935

"Maybe It's Love" - Sidney D. Mitchell, Archie Gottler, and George W. Meyer, 1930

“Maybe It’s Love” – Sidney D. Mitchell, Archie Gottler, and George W. Meyer, 1930

This is the title song from a 1930 movie starring Joan Bennett, Joe E. Brown, and James Hall. The draw here was the inclusion of 11 members of the 1929 College Football All-America Team, seen on the cover.