Take a moment and sing the fight song to yourself. What did you start with? If you started to sing, “We’re the red and white from State,” you’re among the many N.C . State students who confuse the Red and White Song with the N.C . State Fight Song.

Every time you hear N.C . State’s official fight song, you’re actually listening to a sped-up version of the U.S . Army’s official song. 

While the actual tune, “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” has only been the official song of the U.S. Army since 1956, 1st Lt. Edmund Gruber wrote the music to the song more than 100 years ago when stationed in the Philippines. Gruber named it the “Caisson Song,” referencing a cart used to carry artillery ammunition, to represent the field artillery branch of the Army. Following John Sousa, who created a march to the song in 1917, the lyrics were re-written and the song was re-named “U.S. Field Artillery.”

As the years pressed on, the Army felt the need to adopt an official song and eventually decided on “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” which was lyrically composed by military music adviser Harold Arberg. 

Gruber’s original music carried on through each rendition of the popular song, and in N.C. State’s case, the same holds true to this day. Continuing to connect its deep military tradition with collegiate pride, the Wolfpack has used its current fight song at sporting events since the late 1920s, when alumnus Hardy Ray wrote the lyrics. 

Zach Garrison, a senior in PGA golf management, attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the beginning of his collegiate career before transferring to the University. Because of the song’s connection with Pack athletics, Garrison already knew its basic origins before arriving in Raleigh. 

“I don’t know the exact background of where ‘The Army Goes Rolling Along’ came from, but I knew the words to that song and I knew it was [State’s] fight song while I was there at West Point,” Garrison said. “There was no doubt about it.”

Although he said the military was not the best fit for him, Garrison said he enjoys how the University and the Army have a unique connection. Garrison’s brother, a graduate of West Point, was the first one to ever tell him about the coincidence. 

“I was with my brother one time and I just started to sing our fight song and he said ‘man, you know that’s a complete copy of the Army Song?'” Garrison said. “We kind of just laughed about it, but it’s definitely a funny coincidence.”

Even as a senior who considers himself a die-hard Wolfpack fan, Garrison did not know what the University officially considers its fight song. Still a common misconception among students and fans, the more popular and easier to memorize “Red and White” song receives its fair share of being recognized as “The Fight Song.”

One particular set of students at the University, the Power Sound of the South, learned the differences between each song early on. Casey DeVane, a freshman trombone player majoring in business management, said it’s normal for fans and students to mismatch the songs. 

“Everyone gets the ‘Red and White’ song confused with the fight song,” DeVane said. “I actually have a stuffed wolf animal that one of my teachers gave me, and the tag on it has the lyrics to the actual fight song. But when you play it, it plays the ‘Red and White’ song.”

Similar to the traditional and beloved music from State’s marching band, the Pack’s annual tribute to Military Appreciation Week is now a staple in the program. When massive American flags, flyovers and special honors can be seen every September, DeVane said she particularly appreciates the University’s connection with the Army. 

“During the Military Appreciation game we actually played ‘The Army Song’ at halftime,” DeVane said. “It was really cool because everyone thought it was the fight song. I think it’s really cool the two go hand-in-hand at N.C. State.”

And as for the military’s roots in State, they are aware and appreciative of the special bond they have shared with Wolfpack athletics for over 80 years. The ROTC has produced countless alumni, including Gens. Maxwell Thurman, Henry Shelton and Dan McNeil. More than 40 N.C. State alumni have served as generals or admirals in the U.S. military, more than any other university outside the service academies. 

“I love [the Army being a part of State athletics],” Jamie Garcia, a senior ROTC member, said. “Especially all of the ceremonies we go to, they always talk about all the history N.C. State has with commissioning officers or people who served. There’s just a big foundation for the military at State. It puts a lot of pride in me, and I know I appreciate it a lot.”

Describing herself as a fan of Pack athletics, Garcia said she loves hearing the fight song, but will constantly struggle with mismatching lyrics.  

“Every time I hear it, half way through I find myself singing ‘The Army Song,'” Garcia said. “I always seem to think of that.”