Songs of The Ohio State University

We Don't Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michigan
(tune of "The Old Gray Mare")

O, we don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan
The whole state of Michigan, the whole state of Michigan
We don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan,
we're from Ohio
We're from Ohio...O-H
We're from Ohio...I-O
O, we don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan
The whole state of Michigan, the whole state of Michigan
We don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan, we're from Ohio

This is one of the songs that exemplifies the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, as well as, the rivalry between Ohio and Michigan. The rivalry between Ohio and Michigan goes all the way back to statehood. The Northwest Territory, in 1803, was divided up into states (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan [Wisconsin was carved out of Michigan in 1845], and Minnesota). In 1837, when Michigan became a state, there was a border dispute between Ohio and Michigan. Michigan wanted their southern boundary to drawn east to west, at the southernmost point of Lake Erie (south of the Maumee River). Ohio, on the other hand, wanted the southern boundary drawn at the most western point of Lake Erie (north of the Maumee River). This disagreement nearly turned into a shooting war between the two states. Cooler heads prevailed and the boundary was drawn in accordance with Ohio's wishes. For nearly two hundred years, the rivalry between the two states lives on in areas of education, industry, agriculture, tourism, etc.

In addition to the rivalry between Ohio and Michigan, the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is the most storied in college football history. Though, Michigan leads the series and say that their true rival is Michigan State University, the Ohio State - Michigan series is always hard fought. In many of the games, since 1940, the Game has played a role in determining the Big Ten Champion, Rose Bowl, and the National Championship.

It is no small wonder why We Don't Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michigan came about. Though a very popular song, especially when Ohio State plays Michigan annually in the Big Game, We Don't Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michigan's OSUMB date of arrangement was written in this timeframe. The song appeared in the Broadway show "The Male Animal" (1940), and the subsequent movie in 1942, as We Don't Give a Darn for the Whole State of Michigan. James Thurber, an alumnus of The Ohio State University, and a famous writer and cartoonist, contributed his expertise to the production of the Broadway show. It is unknown if this song was written for the play or was already in use beforehand.

Even though Ohio State is not mentioned in the productions, it is quite obvious that Thurber's Buckeye roots were showing. There is a reference to Hennicks, a former drug store and soda fountain that existed well into the 1950s on High Street; the main commercial center on the eastern boundary of The Ohio State University campus. The characters, in the productions, tune to frequency 1210 AM to listen to the game; 1230 is an AM frequency that is assigned to Columbus, Ohio. During the radio broadcast of the game between Michigan and Midwestern State, the Midwestern State team is referred to as the Scarlet Wave. One can hear the melody of Ohio, with different lyrics, being sung by the crowd heading to the game. After the game, the Midwestern State Marching Band is shown marching through the streets and their uniforms looks very similar to those used by The Ohio State University Marching Band. These references confirms that the fictional Midwestern State University is actually Ohio State University playing the big game of the season against: Michigan. Thurber's optimism also shows; the result of the game: Midwestern State 15 - Michigan 14.

The melody of the song is The Old Gray Mare (Ain't What She Used to Be), thus making it easy to sing and remember. The OSUMB sings this song as they enter St. John Arena for the Skull Sessions prior to every home game. At that time, you will find the surrounding crowd joining in!

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