Songs of Winnebago


Camp Winnebago recording of Buckle Down Winnebago

Camp Winnebago recording of Buckle Down Winnebago
Item 18113   info
Camp Winnebago

Some boys attend Camp Winnebago, on the shores of Echo Lake, for ninety days -- the whole summer. Others attend for half that time.

In any event, the camp becomes a significant part of the boys' lives, as these songs demonstrate.

Geoff Zola introduces "Buckle Down Winnebago," a fight song.

Words to "Buckle Down Winnebago"




Buckle down, Winnebago, Buckle down;
you can win, Winnebago, if you knuckle down.
If you break their necks, if you make them wrecks,
You can break the hex, so buckle down!
Make 'em yell, Winnebago, make 'em yell.
You can win, Winnebago, if you ring the bell.
If you don't give in, take it on the chin,
You are bound to win, if you will only buckle down!
If you fight you'll chuckle at defeat.
If you fight, your luck'll not retreat. We repeat.
Buckle down, Winnebago, buckle down.
You can win, Winnebago, if you buckle down.
If you mow them down, if you go to town,
You can wear the crown, if you will only buckle down.

Dining hall at Camp Winnebago, 1957

Dining hall at Camp Winnebago, 1957
Item 7410   info
Camp Winnebago

Boys in the dining hall at Camp Winnebago in 1957. The rectangular dining tables were made at the camp with birch logs for legs.

Camp Winnebago was founded on the shores of Echo Lake in Fayette in 1919 and is a camp for boys ages 8-15.

Camp Winnebago recording of Cheer Winnebago

Camp Winnebago recording of Cheer Winnebago
Item 18112   info
Camp Winnebago

When Camp Winnebago decided to record an album of camp records in 1964, they asked all campers and counselors -- regardless of musical ability -- to sing along.


"Cheer Winnebago" is the second song on side 1 of the album of camp songs. Ed Rosenberg introduces the song.



Words to "Cheer Winnebago"

Cheer Winnebago, Cheer ever more.
We're here to see
the Brown and Green score and score.
And when we give a big cheer, boys,
They'll surely know,
We are loyal sons of Winnebago.

Camp Winnebago recording of Winnebago Glorious

Camp Winnebago recording of Winnebago Glorious
Item 18111   info
Camp Winnebago

"Winnebago Glorious" is the first song on side 1 of the vinyl record campers recorded in 1964.

The words and music of "Winnebago Glorious" were written by a camper and adopted by vote of the boys in 1947 to be their Alma Mater. Camp Director Howard "Uncle Howie" Lilienthal provides the commentary in the recording.

Bruce Lewis wrote the words and music for the song.



Oh Winnebago, glorious,
We raise a song to thee.
our camp on wooded hilltop high,
We love so faithfully.
Thru storm and strife we'll stand by thee,
Our hearts are ever thine.
We'll fight for you, in all we do,
Our camp in God's own shrine.
Oh, Alma Mater, dear to us,
We pledge undying love.
Thru all the coming years we pray
That you will reign supreme.
And when we dream of bygone days,
We'll raise our voices in thy praise.

Banner from Aquatic meet at Camp Winnebago, 1925

Banner from Aquatic meet at Camp Winnebago, 1925
Item 7404   info
Camp Winnebago

A silk banner created after aquatic meet in 1925, Camp Winnebago vs. Camp Kennebec. Camp Winnebago won the meet.

Camp Winnebago recording of Victory Song and To Win

Camp Winnebago recording of Victory Song and To Win
Item 18114   info
Camp Winnebago

"Victory Song" and "To Win" comprise the fourth track on side 1 of the vinyl record produced for the camp in 1964.

Senior Arrows and Arrows sing the Victory Song.

Richard Brave introduces the song and John Jutkowitz is the cheerleader.



Words to "Victory Song"

We'll beat Androscoggin, we'll beat Androscoggin,
Winnebago fight!
We'll fight to the end, Our camp to defend
With Winnebago might.
We'll beat Androscoggin, we'll beat Androscoggin,
Winnebago fight!
We'll hit that ball and swim that crawl
With Winnebago might.


Words to "To Win"

To win, to win,
You'd like like heck to win,
but you'll have to wait till the moon turns green
or Winnebago has no team,
Aye oh, aye ee, it's plain as A B C,
If anyone's going to win today
It's we, we, we!

Camp Winnebago recording of Winnebago's Bandolero Song

Camp Winnebago recording of Winnebago's Bandolero Song
Item 18115   info
Camp Winnebago

Andrew Miller introduces "Winnebago's Bandolero Song" and Music Director Uncle Jack Sterling sings it, accompanied by Senior Arrows and Arrows.



Words to "Winnebago's Bandolero Song"

In the pine groves and birches
We comrades are roaming
Seeking adventure,
by water and land.
Climbing the mountains
we campers reliant,
Strong and happy
Winnebagans all hardships defy.

Campers at Camp Winnebago, right side, 1921

Campers at Camp Winnebago, right side, 1921
Item 7406   info
Camp Winnebago

The right side of a group photograph of the Camp Winnebago campers during the 1921 season.

Camp Winnebago, a boys' camp, is in Fayette, on the shores of Echo Lake.

Camp Winnebago's recording of Trip Song

Camp Winnebago's recording of Trip Song
Item 18116   info
Camp Winnebago

Fred Iseman introduces the "Trip Song," the sixth song on side 1 of Camp Winnebago's 1964 recording of camp songs.



Words to "Trip Song," also called "March On, Oh Brown and Green"

March on, oh Brown and Green,
Our camp we're leaving far behind.
Joyful our trip will be.
Treasures many we will find,
And when our trip starts for home again,
And Winnebago comes in view,
We will sing out a song as we carry along,
Hiking back to you.

Camp Winnebago banner, 1931

Camp Winnebago banner, 1931
Item 7397   info
Camp Winnebago

A silk banner from a tennis meet in 1931 that the boys of Camp Winnebago won.

Camp Winnebago's recording of Silver Sails on Echo Lake

Camp Winnebago's recording of Silver Sails on Echo Lake
Item 18117   info
Camp Winnebago

Richard Osman introduces "Silver Sails on Echo Lake," which was composed in 1944 to celebrate the camp's 25th anniversary.

John Eisner is the singer, accompanied by the counselor staff.



Words to "Silver Sails on Echo Lake"

Silver Sails on Echo Lake
Will shine throughout the years,
A glow no tide can ever break,
Through laughter, smiles or tears.
Silver sails beyond the shore,
Will linger on and on,
And drift right through our lives with you
Though many years have gone.
Someday soon a magic moon
Will shine down from above,
And there you'll be for us to see
Beside the camp we love.
Silver sails on Echo Lake,
One day will turn to gold,
These memories that keep awake,
Are mine to have and hold.

Postcard of covered wagon trip, Camp Winnebago

Postcard of covered wagon trip, Camp Winnebago
Item 7421   info
Camp Winnebago

Postcard labeled "Covered Wagon Trip, Camp Winnebago, Fayette, Maine."

This wagon is most likely carrying campers from the boys camp, Camp Winnebago, on a day trip or to the train.

'When Winnebago's Teams March Down the Field,' Camp Winnebago, 1964

'When Winnebago's Teams March Down the Field,' Camp Winnebago, 1964
Item 18118   info
Camp Winnebago

"When Winnebago's Teams March Down the Field," is the eighth song on side 1 of a vinyl record produced for the camp in 1964.

Dick Helstein wrote the lyrics. Ozzie Taube introduces the song and Arrows and Bows sing it.



Words to "When Winnebago's Teams March Down the Field"

When Winnebago's teams march down the field,
their banners flying high to reach the sky,
and cheer on cheer like volleyed thunder pealed,
We'll cheer the Brown and Green as they go marching by;
When Winnebago's teams all fall in line,
it means we're going to win another time,
we'll cheer the Brown and Green
Our vict'ry sign, vict'ry sign, Rah, Rah, Rah!

Camp Winnebago recording of Winnebago We're For You

Camp Winnebago recording of Winnebago We're For You
Item 18119   info
Camp Winnebago

Senior Arrows, Arrows, and Bows sing "Winnebago We're For You," the ninth song on side 1 of the vinyl record produced for the camp in 1964.



Words to "Winnebago We're For You"

Winnebago, for you we're cheering,
Winnebago, to you we're true,
Winnebago, your foes defeating,
all opponents are black and blue.
Winnebago, one lusty cheer now,
with allegiance we all owe,
For we're full of the pep
that has built up our rep,
Winnebago, we're for you.

Camp Winnebago from Echo Lake, 1932

Camp Winnebago from Echo Lake, 1932
Item 7419   info
Camp Winnebago

Waterfront of Camp Winnebago, looking west from Echo Lake in 1932.

From the left are the boathouse, the library, the swimming area, the canoe docks and a string of cabins called Park Avenue.

Camp Winnebago recording of Carry On

Camp Winnebago recording of Carry On
Item 18120   info
Camp Winnebago

The Crescents and Darts sing "Carry On," part of track 10 on side 1 of the Camp Winnebago album.

Uncle Barry Feinstein and Buddy Groetzinger wrote the words to the song.



Words to "Carry On"

Winnebago, Winnebago, fight, fight for your fame,
In our hearts we'll always treasure
mem'ries of your name, We'll miss you,
In the future, where we may be, thoughts will come of thee,
inspiring us to carry on to victory.

Aquatic meet banner, Camp Winnebago, 1927

Aquatic meet banner, Camp Winnebago, 1927
Item 7403   info
Camp Winnebago

Silk banner from the 1927 Camp Winnebago vs. Camp Kennebec swim meet.

Camp Winnebago recording of Fight for Winnebago

Camp Winnebago recording of Fight for Winnebago
Item 18121   info
Camp Winnebago

All campers at Camp Winnebago contribute to "Fight for Winnebago," part of the tenth track of the 1964 camp record.



Words to "Fight for Winnebago"

Fight for Winnebago,
Fight with pep and vim,
Now raise a cheer, boys,
Our own team must win for Winnebago,
Brown and Green together,
victorious go,
Three husky cheers for Winnebago!

Camp Winnebago recording of Praise Winnebago

Camp Winnebago recording of Praise Winnebago
Item 18122   info
Camp Winnebago

Campers sing "Praise Winnebago," part of the tenth track on the camp's 1964 recording.



Words to "Praise Winnebago"

Hail, Winnebago, Thy sons cheer thee on.
We praise all thy virtues with deed and song.
Thy colors victorious will bring us renown,
Forever and ever, we'll cheer the Green and Brown.

Counselors and campers around campfire, ca. 1950

Counselors and campers around campfire, ca. 1950
Item 7422   info
Camp Winnebago

Counselors and campers around the campfire at Camp Winnebago.

Camp Winnebago recording of In Hush of the Evening

Camp Winnebago recording of In Hush of the Evening
Item 18134   info
Camp Winnebago

Clement A. Barton wrote the words and music to "In Hush of the Evening," the fifth song on side 2 of the vinyl record produced for the camp in 1964.

Campers wrote the song at a musical assembly in 1947.

The counselor staff sings the song, which is introduced by Jim Kramer.



Words to "In Hush of the Evening"

In hush of the evening, when sunset shadows climb,
Our hearts, Winnebago, beat in time.
While still rememb'ring the joys we knew,
The lake, the cry of a lonely loon,
Our hearts, Winnebago, reflect the golden view
That someday the future will hold for you.
As we reminisce, though years may swiftly fly,
The flame in our hearts never die.

Boys getting off train at Readfield

Boys getting off train at Readfield
Item 7413   info
Camp Winnebago

Boys get off a train at Readfield to get on truck to take them to Camp Winnebago in 1953.

The boy in foreground is Philip Lilienthal, who eventually became the third owner of the camp.

Camp Winnebago recording of Taps - Good Night Winnebago

Camp Winnebago recording of Taps - Good Night Winnebago
Item 18133   info
Camp Winnebago

"Taps - Good Night Winnebago" is the sixth song on side 2 of the vinyl record produced for the camp in 1964.

Alan Blau wrote the words and Uncle Ralph "Mike" Bowers wrote the music for "Good Night Winnebago."



Words to "Good Night Winnebago"

Good night, Winnebago,
We will always be true;
In our hearts we'll treasure
Tender thoughts of you.
As each day is over,
One thing sure we'll know,
We will dream of dear old
Winnebago.

Camp Winnebago recording of Hail Winnebago

Camp Winnebago recording of Hail Winnebago
Item 18132   info
Camp Winnebago

Eagles and Falcons, accompanied by all campers, sing "Hail Winnebago," the seventh song on side 2 of the camp record,

Sam McMurray introduces the song.



Words to "Hail, Winnebago"

Hail, Winnebago, Camp of the strong.
We greet thy honor with deed and song.
And may our colors high with re-known
Lead us to victory the Green and Brown.

Camp Winnebago truck 1940

Camp Winnebago truck 1940
Item 7415   info
Camp Winnebago

This truck was used to take boys to and from the train station, on trips, and to the coast.

It was retired in the late 1960s.

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