Cal Songs

Sons of California

Written in 1905 by Clinton R. "Brick" Morse; arranged by Larry Austin.
© UC Regents. All Rights Reserved.

Sound clip: MP3 (1132 KB)

(Sing:)
We're Sons of California,
A loyal company,
All shout for California
While we strive for victory.
All sing the joyful chorus
As her colors we unfold
Then, Hurrah! for California,
And for the Blue and Gold.

(Yell the Chorus:)

Hit it!
C !
A !
L !
I !
F O R !
N I A !
California!
California!
Californnnnnia!

(Sing:)

We're Sons of California,
Fair mistress of the sea.
And we'll win for California,
Her glorious destiny.
Then raise the joyful chorus,
As her colors we unfold.
For we'll win for California,
And for the Blue and Gold.

(Chorus)

(Sing:)

We'll yell for California,
Dear Mother of us all.
We'll fight for California
Till the crimson banners fall.
All raise the joyful chorus,
As her colors we unfold.
For we'll win for California,
And for the Blue and Gold.

No history of Cal Songs could be complete without mentioning Clinton R. "Brick" Morse. Morse was not only an outstanding athlete, earning a big "C" for every major sport, but also a talented singer. He organized a glee club in 1893 known as the "De Koven Club," which became very popular, eventually rivaling the Eastern Glee Clubs. Morse's group made twelve trips under his guidance to such places as Europe, Alaska, Canada, and Asia. In order to keep up with the demands of their popularity, Morse encouraged Glee Club members to write original compositions; his own contributions include "The Sons of California" and "Hail to California."

Morse had the habit of improvising at the piano while making up words at the same time. He admitted that he "drummed out hundreds of [Cal Songs] and as promptly [forgot] them. It must have been an accident that [he] remembered 'Hail to California' and 'Sons of California' and wrote them out for the Glee Club to sing." "Sons of California" was always performed slowly and solemnly by the Glee Club. As a result, it was not terribly popular with the student body. During the late 1930's, the Band played a much faster and livelier arrangement, which prompted an interest from the student body. As a result, "Sons of California" is now one of the most well known and often played Cal Songs. "Sons of California" is traditionally the second song of the Cal Band's pregame show.