You’re listening to Anchors Aweigh by the United States Naval Academy Band, and…
You’re on the Sound Beat.
Spelling seldom makes for great radio, but “Aweigh” in this case is spelled “A-W-E-I-G-H”, and it means that the anchors have been raised, and the ship is ready for action. It also makes this the perfect fight song for the US Naval Academy.
The song was composed by Charles Zimmerman, the bandmaster of the Naval Academy Band, in 1905. It was first played publicly at the 1906 Army-Navy game, and spurred the team to a 10-0 victory, the first time they’d won the rivalry game in 6 years.
You’re listening to the very first recording of the song, made by Columbia in 1920.
Check out more college fight song info on our blog.
