Notre Dame Updates Fight Song Lyrics to Include Women

The University of Notre Dame is updating its fight song to mention “daughters” as well as “sons,” the university announced Thursday. The move coincides with the 50th anniversary of the university’s decision to admit female undergraduates.

The fight song, called “Notre Dame Victory March,” previously included the lyrics “While her loyal sons are marching / Onward to victory.” In the new version, the line becomes “While her loyal sons and daughters / March on to victory.” The updated version was performed for the first time at a gala on campus Thursday night.

The university is also redesigning the main circle on campus to “honor the profound impact women have had on the university.” The changes are meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX in addition to Notre Dame’s decision to admit women.

“The success Notre Dame enjoys has been shaped by the extraordinary leadership and contributions of the women who have been and are a part of the Notre Dame community—beginning with the four Holy Cross sisters who arrived in the Indiana wilderness in 1843, to those who lead, teach, learn, minister and work here today,” said university president the Reverend John I. Jenkins in a statement. “On this occasion of the anniversary of the admission of undergraduate women in 1972, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of women as students and graduates. The re-imaging of the Main Circle will be a tribute at the heart of our campus to the ways in which these women have inspired, led and enriched us.”