University of California Marching Band ~ Cal Songs ~ Roll On

Cal Songs

Roll On

Written in 1961 by Paul Yoder and Larry Mandel.
© UC Regents. All Rights Reserved.

Roll on, you Golden Bear,
For Victory is in the air;
For California's fame,
We'll be winning the game,
And for Alma Mater fair.
So roll on, you Golden Bear,
Our loyal Band is always there;
We look to thee, Mighty "C",
For California's Victory!

"Roll On" was written by the professional composer Paul Yoder in 1961 for University of California High School Band Day. The piece was then known as the "Massed Band Special," and it combined the elements of a fanfare and a hymn, the idea being to capture in one song the elements of an Alma Mater and a fight song. "Roll On" was the fight song portion. David Mandel won a competition held within the band to write lyrics for the song. The entire "Massed Band Special" was recorded on the 1966 "Spirit of Cal" recording.

"Roll On" became associated with pantsing in the early 1960's. The story goes that during a Straw Hat Band trip north, a bandsman repeatedly sang "Roll On," undoubtedly irritating his traveling companions. When the opportunity arose, they relieved the unrestrained singer of his pants while serenading him with "Roll On."