Wisconsin · The Badger State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Wisconsin state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Wisconsin's official state song is “On, Wisconsin!”, written in 1909, adopted in 1959. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Forward”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Wisconsin, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Wisconsin
Upper-Midwest polka-rock with accordion, brass, electric guitar, stomping drums and a beer-hall singalong chorus
“Forward” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Upper-Midwest polka-rock with accordion.
Verse 1
Dairy barns at daybreak and the robins on the lawn
Door County cherry orchards with the lake fog nearly gone
Wood violets in the woodlot, the Northwoods still and deep
Wisconsin, you're the promise that we always keep
Chorus
Forward, that's the word and the way
From Milwaukee to Superior, from Madison to the bay
Cheese curds and a brat and a frozen Friday night
Wisconsin, you're the home that holds me tight
Verse 2
Lambeau Field in January, sixty thousand strong
A fish fry on a Friday and an old-time polka song
The Dells in summer sunshine, supper clubs at dusk
Wisconsin, you're the kindness we can trust
Chorus
Forward, that's the word and the way
From Milwaukee to Superior, from Madison to the bay
Cheese curds and a brat and a frozen Friday night
Wisconsin, you're the home that holds me tight
Bridge
Badgers dig in deep, and so do we
Wisconsin, forward, you and me
Chorus
Forward, that's the word and the way
From Milwaukee to Superior, from Madison to the bay
Cheese curds and a brat and a frozen Friday night
Wisconsin, you're the home that holds me tight
About “Forward”
Wisconsin's song is Upper-Midwest polka-rock with accordion and brass, a beer-hall singalong on the one-word motto, "Forward". Dairy barns, Door County orchards, cheese curds and brats, Friday fish fry, supper clubs, the Wisconsin Dells and Lambeau Field in January all appear.
The robin and wood violet are the state bird and flower. "On, Wisconsin!", the 1909 University of Wisconsin fight song, became the official state song in 1959.
Places and symbols in the song
- Lake Michigan and Milwaukee
- the Door County peninsula
- Wisconsin cheese
- Lambeau Field in Green Bay
- the Wisconsin Dells
- American robin
- Wood violet
SongUp AI composed and sang this song from the lyrics above and the style line under the title, the same way it makes songs for its users. It is not the official state song and it is not a cover.
The official state song of Wisconsin
- Title
- “On, Wisconsin!”
- Written by
- music by William T. Purdy, state words by J. S. Hubbard and Charles D. Rosa
- Status
- written in 1909, adopted in 1959
It began as the University of Wisconsin fight song; the state-song words were written in 1913 and the legislature made it official in 1959, 50 years after the tune was composed.
Many official state songs are still in copyright, so their lyrics are not printed here. The state's own website or legislature publishes the official text.
Wisconsin at a glance
- Nickname
- The Badger State
- Capital
- Madison
- Largest city
- Milwaukee
- Statehood
- May 29, 1848 (30th state)
- Motto
- Forward
- State bird
- American robin
- State flower
- Wood violet
- Official state song
- "On, Wisconsin!" (in 1959)
Questions about Wisconsin's state song
What is the official state song of Wisconsin?
The official state song of Wisconsin is "On, Wisconsin!", music by William T. Purdy, state words by J. S. Hubbard and Charles D. Rosa, written in 1909, adopted in 1959. It began as the University of Wisconsin fight song; the state-song words were written in 1913 and the legislature made it official in 1959, 50 years after the tune was composed.
Is "Forward" the official state song of Wisconsin?
No. "Forward" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Wisconsin. The official state song is "On, Wisconsin!", written in 1909, adopted in 1959. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Forward" about?
Wisconsin's song is Upper-Midwest polka-rock with accordion and brass, a beer-hall singalong on the one-word motto, "Forward". Dairy barns, Door County orchards, cheese curds and brats, Friday fish fry, supper clubs, the Wisconsin Dells and Lambeau Field in January all appear. It names Lake Michigan and Milwaukee, the Door County peninsula, Wisconsin cheese, Lambeau Field in Green Bay and the Wisconsin Dells, with the state bird (american robin) and state flower (wood violet) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "On, Wisconsin!" and when was it adopted?
"On, Wisconsin!" is credited to music by William T. Purdy, state words by J. S. Hubbard and Charles D. Rosa; it was written in 1909, adopted in 1959. It began as the University of Wisconsin fight song; the state-song words were written in 1913 and the legislature made it official in 1959, 50 years after the tune was composed.
What are Wisconsin's state symbols?
Wisconsin is nicknamed The Badger State. Its capital is Madison and its largest city is Milwaukee. It joined the Union on May 29, 1848 (30th state). The state motto is "Forward", the state bird is the american robin and the state flower is the wood violet.
Can I play or share "Forward"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Wisconsin, your town, your school or your family, with the names and places you choose, describe it on the Create page: a free account hears a 30-second preview of its own lyrics sung, and a full song comes with a Pro plan.
How do I make my own song about Wisconsin?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Milwaukee, WI") or paste your own lyrics, pick a voice, and SongUp AI writes, sings and mixes it in a few minutes. Every song comes with a lyric video, stems and a gift page.