Minnesota Rouser The " Minnesota Rouser " is the fight song of the University of Minnesota . It is played at all Minnesota Golden Gophers games . History . It was the subject of a 1909 contest held by the " Minnesota Daily " and the " Minneapolis Tribune " to write a suitable song for Minnesota football games , to replace the hymn like " Hail ! Minnesota " . The song was written by Floyd Hutsell , then the choir director of First Methodist Episcopal Church in Minneapolis . He originally included a verse , but only the refrain is sung today . Hutsell is best known outside Minnesota as " Robert LaMar , " a prominent vaudeville and operetta actor and producer . The song was originally titled , " The U . of M . Rouser , " but eventually became known as simply the " Minnesota Rouser . " Sheet music to the winning song was published November 21 , 1909 , as a Supplement to The Minneapolis Sunday Tribune . Written in the key of G major , it was titled " The U . of M . Rouser " and was dedicated to B . A . Rose , Band Master , U . of M . The verse was included in this publication . The Judges for the fighting song , listed on the back , were : A . O . Eberhart , Governor of Minnesota ; Cyrus W . Northrop , President of the University of Minnesota ; Carlyle M . Scott , Professor of Music , University of Minnesota ; J . A . Sende , Chief Musician , University of Minnesota Band ; and Arthur Allen , President of the University of Minnesota Glee and Mandolin Club . Ironically , another song written for the contest by William T . Purdy was " Minnesota , Minnesota . " He withdrew it from the contest at the urging of his lyricist , Carl Beck , who wanted to offer the song to the University of Wisconsin – Madison , where it became " On Wisconsin " . Lyrics . Minnesota , hats off to thee ! < br > To thy colors true we shall ever be , < br > Firm and strong , united are we . < br > Rah , rah , rah , for Ski - U - Mah , < br > Rah ! Rah ! Rah ! Rah ! < br > Rah for the U of M . [ Repeat ] M - I - N - N - E - S - O - T - A ! < br > Minnesota , Minnesota ! < br > Yay , Gophers ! RAH ! " ( The phrase ' Ski - U - Mah ' was part of an early cheer for the U of M . ) " Gopher fans traditionally thrust their fists in the air during the spell - out , and make a circular motion with their fist during the yell . Original Lyrics ( As published in the Minneapolis Tribune , November 21 , 1909 ) Rah , rah , < br > Honor to our college Minnesota U . < br > Loyal to thy standards We ' ll never be untrue . < br > Underneath thy pennant Pulses beat with pride < br > And victory e ' er shall be our aim O ' er the nation wide , ( " Yell " ) Minnesota , hats off to thee , < br > To your colors true we shall ever be . . . < br > Firm and strong , united are we . < br > Rah , rah , rah , for Ski - U - Ma , < br > Rah , rah , rah , rah , rah , rah , rah , < br > Rah , for the U of M . Ah . . . ( repeat refrain ) Pop culture . The Boston - based rock orchestra , The Wings of Fire Orchestra , uses a variation of the U . of Minnesota Rouser on the song Connorfool ( from " Bullfighter Ballet " , 2006 ) . On Rocky and Bullwinkle , the lyrics are changed to " Wassamatta , Hats Off to U " ( " Hail , Wassamatta , hail / Better we should land in jail . " )