Skol, Vikings
"Skol, Vikings" (IPA: /skɒl/, /ˈvaɪkɪŋs/) is the fight song of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.[1][2][3]
It was introduced around the time the team was founded in 1961. The words and music are attributed to James "Red" McLeod, a composer from Edina, Minnesota.
The old recording is usually played whenever the team scores, accompanied by cheerleader carrying flags that spell out the team's name, as per the lyrics. It is also played at the end of the game, after a victory. The spelling out of the team name echoes the style of the older song, "Minnesota Rouser", long used by the University of Minnesota teams.
Lyrics
- Skol Vikings, let's win this game,
- Skol Vikings, honor your name,
- Go get that first down,
- Then get a touchdown.
- Rock 'em . . . Sock 'em
- Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
- Go Vikings, run up the score.
- You'll hear us yell for more. . .
- V-I-K-I-N-G-S
- Skol Vikings, let's go![4]
Meaning
Skol (written "skål" in Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish and "skál" in Faroese and Icelandic or "skaal" in transliteration of any of those languages) is the Danish/Norwegian/Swedish word for "cheers," or "good health," a salute or a toast, as to an admired person or group.
Other uses
Many of the University of Minnesota's fight songs were also written and/or arranged by McLeod. To honor this connection, the University pep bands often perform a rendition of the song, retitled "Skol, Gophers", with "G-O-P-H-E-R-S" replacing the spell-out and sometimes other specific sport-related changes.