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College Songs

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"Alma Mater" (origin unknown)

 

"Alma Mater" (origin unknown)

 

Where the vale of the Eel River

Meets the eastern sky,

proudly stands our Alma Mater

'Mong the hilltops high.

Chorus

Flag we love!

Float for aye, Manchester Tech o'er thee;

May thy sons be leal and loyal

To thy memory.

"[The] Alumni Song," (also known as "Manchester College Song" and "Memories of Manchester College") by Lucile Klingler '20x and Henrietta Wassman, was written in 1917.

 

Verse

There's a spot in Indiana

That is very dear to me,

A place of higher learning

That I long again to see,

Where I studied in the classes,

Where I gathered college lore,

Where I tramped the wooded campus

With my friends in days of yore.

Chorus

Oh Manchester College,

How my heart goes back to thee,

How I long again to ramble

Thru your halls of mystery

Just to visit on your campus,

Just to stroll along your way,

Trod by feet of many classes,

Will be joy again some day.

"By the Kenapocomoco" by Katherine Walker Beauchamp (lyrics).  The music is an old English Air.

 

Verse 1

By the Kenapocomoco, stands our College fair.

Where the Indian reared his wigwam, we have studied there.

Verse 2

Like the braves of old who fought there, we have struggled too,

For the honor of our College, for her colors true.

Verse 3

Indian braves told dusky maidens, of their love so true;

Ev'ry man and maid may find here romance ever new.

Verse 4

Through the years we will remember, keep each image clear,

Of the tow'r, the hall, the fountain, of Manchester dear.

Chorus

Manchester College loyal to you

We will ever be,

Spread abroad your fame and honor, 

Cheer to victory.

"By the Kenapocomoco," with words and music by Francis Smith Thomas '39, was written in 1961.

 

Verse

In the Hoosier state a college stands beside a river fair.

And in days of old our Indian brothers reared their wigwams there.

Although this river is called the Eel, all Manchester students know

That the following story, in all of its glory

Took place along the Kenapocomoco.

Chorus

By the Kenapocomoco they took a little walk.

By the Kenapocomoco they had a little talk.

Their hearts were on fire with one desire:

They wanted to find a genuine arrow head.

Left by an Indian long since dead,

Just like the stories they had read.

By the Kenapocomoco they looked around in vain.

No bona fide arrowheads were to be found, it was very plain.

But there along the river bank where dwelt our Indian brother,

They never discovered an arrowhead,

But they found something else instead:

They found each other!

 

"[The] Call of the Chimes," with words by Benjamin Stoner '28 and music by Naomi Cunningham '34 Hoverstock.

 

Verse 1

All hail Manchester College,

Thou fountainhead of knowledge,

Ten thousand hearts are beating

In loyalty to thee!

From over land and ocean,

The echoes set in motion

Reverberate the chorus

Of the chimes of old M.C.

Verse 2

Then raise aloft her colors,

And tell the news to others,

We love, revere and honor

Our own dear black and gold.

And to Manchester College,

Thou source of wisdom, knowledge,

God make of thee a blessing, 

Thru the centuries untold.

Chorus

The chimes are ringing, ringing

My heart for joy is singing,

The strains of music bringing

Pure, noble thoughts to me.

I hear them in the gloaming,

They call me from my roaming.

The chimes are calling, calling

From my beloved M.C. 

 

"Campus Song" with words by Miriam Heestand '30 Fabian and music by Mabel Frederick '29 Schrock.

 

Verse 1

We came from the far east and out of the west,

As far as the northlands and south on our quest

In search of a campus to call college home

And chose our Manchester to claim as our own.

Verse 2

We love our dear college that nestles in rest,

By the tinkling of fountain by leafy trees blest;

We love her worn pathways and her classic halls

And to roam thru her calm wood as soft evening falls.

Chorus

O Manchester College

Our hearts we pledge to you

Each loyal son and daughter

Sings praise the whole world through

The friendships that you shelter

Are ever tried and true

Your ideals are the nobles and best,

Our hearts pledge we to you.

 

"Daughters of the Black and Gold," arranged by Mabel Frederick '29 Schrock.

 

Oh, daughters of the Black and Gold, and sons of victory

Lift up your voices to the sky and cheer for old M.C.

She holds the fairest and the best, the braves and the true

Her spirit triumphs o'er the rest,

Hail M.C. to you!

Let every loyal son of old lift high his banner Black and Gold

March on ye heroes to the fray for it's M.C. must win today

It's Manchester we are fighting for and it's M.C. we all adore,

Let ev'rybody hail!

Lt ev'rybody hail!

Manchester on to victory.

 

"Dear M.C." with words by Arlo Gump '31 and music by Kathryn Wright '32 Brown.

 

Verse 1

O we have a college of which we are proud,

For all of her records are tested and true.

Her aims have been always the highest and best,

And we're sure that she always has come smilin' through.

Verse 2

How oft o'er the tops of the tall oak trees,

We see there on high our banner and flag;

Then we know that ever our college shall stand,

With the spirit of progress surmount ev'ry crag.

Verse 3

As bright as the fountain that sparkles all day

And sure as the sun dial telling the time,

Our college shall be what we want her to be,

E'er the truest, the beautiful, best, the sublime.

Chorus

Manchester College I hear you calling me.

Dear old Manchester, I'm always for you.

E'er to the black and gold I will be true,

Dear M.C.

 

"Fight Spartans, Fight!" with words and music by Fred C. Cripe '29.

 

Verse 1

Fight Spartans, fight;

Fight Spartans fight;

Play the game and fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight.

Verse 2

Spartans, be fair;

Spartans be square;

Play the game and fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight.

Verse 3

We have the will;

We have the skill;

Digging in we'll fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight.

Verse 4

Fight Spartans, fight;

Fight Spartans fight;

Play the game and fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight.

 

"Hail M.C.!" with words by Miriam Heestand '30 Fabian and music by Mabel Frederick '29 Schrock.

 

Hail M.C. all hail our valiant fighters out to win this game tonight.

We will cheer cheer cheer for the Black and Gold as we play this game tonight (whee!!)

Hail M.C. all hail our valiant fighters out to fight and out to win

We will give three cheers for the Black and Gold marching on to victory.

 

"Hail to Thee!" with words and music by Liegh B. Freed '26, and arranged by Florence Thompson Freed '28.

 

Manchester College

Hail to thee

Hail to the black and gold

Hail to victory

Fight for her colors

Fight for honor too

Hail to thee Manchester 

Hail to you!

 

"Heart of MC" with words by Louise Grossnickle '30 Yum and music by Lavonne Culler.

 

Verse 1

Deep in the heart of each of us,

Two tiny bits of color glow:

The symbol of our old MC

Where e'er her college children go;

Verse 2

Deep in the soul the thought of her,

Brings her message of humanity,

We answer to her last farewell

Our lives shall tell for God and thee.

Chorus

Then hail to you our black and gold,

Our Alma Mater hail to thee;

Thy children bear thy worth afar

To every nook of land and sea,

On many lips thy name is breathed,

In love and praise and loyalty,

Thy sons and daughters still are true,

Our college mother,

True to thee.

"Manchester Chimes" by Frances Smith Thomas '39.

 

Verse

College days fly swiftly by, leaving memories.

Friends and classmates scatter to the seven seas.

But the old traditions linger on, whate'er the years may bring,

and the old college chimes still ring!

Chorus

The chimes ring down thru the years. Ring on the campus I love

The chimes ring down thru the years.  Ring from the tower above.

Manchester chimes, I'll never forget.  Your loveliness rings in my memory yet.

I'll always remember that certain September, when I first heard those Manchester chimes ring. 

The chimes ring down thru the years.  Calling to you and to me.

The chimes ring down thru the years.  Sounding their sweet melody.

Manchester chimes, ring out loud and clear.  Keep ringing forever, ring year after year.

That Homecoming yearning will keep us returning to the sound of those Manchester chimes, 

To the sound of those Manchester chimes.

"Manchester College" by Gladys Dickey (Dr. Gladys Dickey Thompson) was first sung at a joint program of the Lincoln and the Adelphian Literary Societies, 18 May 1912.

 

Verse 1

You sing about your colleges, of Harvard and of Yale

And all the universities whose banners brave the gale;

But we have one we love to praise, with love and loyalty, 

She is the best for all the world, aye, even royalty.

Verse 2

We have the best of faculties, the best in all the land;

And for the good of old M.C. they always take their stand.

They teach us truth and loyalty, and valiantly to work,

Each day to live with purpose high, our duty ne'er to shirk.

Verse 3

Our campus is a beauty spot, no prettier could you find,

Where flowers bloom and fountain plays, to rest our weary minds.

Our boys are brave and manly lads, our girls demure and wise,

And in real worth of soul there are no rivals 'neath the skies.

Verse 4

Offtimes when students here do come they're met by cupid's dart,

And seldom do they leave the place without a stolen heart.

Then later, in their children' hearts, they plant the germ of love

For their own Alma Mater dear, which always stands above.

Verse 5

And now, dear friends, where'er you go, speak for M.C. a word.

And spread her glory far and wide till every soul is stirred.

We hesitate to close our song--the half has not been told, 

But just before we go, we'll give three cheers for the Black and Gold.

Chorus

Manchester College!  Oh, how I love the name!

Manchester College! Go, spread abroad her fame.

Manchester College! is just the place to be.

Manchester College! is just the place for me.

"Manchester Fair," with lyrics by Patricia Helman and music by R. Gary Deavel '52, was written in 1977.

 

In beautiful North Manchester our alma mater stands,

On the rock of faith and learning and not on shifting sand.

O College rare, Manchester fair, here we cast our endeavor,

We pledge to you our spirit true,

Our trust and love forever.

 

There are shadows on the campus of some who've gone before,

Of legends and those heroes of academic lore.

O College rare, Manchester fair, we're grateful for the past,

We pledge to you our spirit true, 

We'll make that greatness last.

 

We look toward each tomorrow and welcome it with love,

And trust that our Manchester is blessed by God above.

O College rare, Manchester fair, we love your quiet waters,

Your great oak tree, your spirit true,

We love your sons and daughters.

 

"On to Victory" with words by Ruth Harrop '32 Penwell and music by Isabel Harrop '30 Hearn.

 

Let's all gather round and give our Spartans a yell;

As thru to victory they go;

They're bringing us fame, so give a Yea team!

We're going to win; can't you tell?

Manchester College always comes out on top;

Our boys will take the Black and Gold, across the line;

O! our forward march no other team can stop;

Manchester College, we're for you!

 

"Our College Home," by Kathryn Wright '32 Brown.

 

Verse 1

Watched by the oaks of loved MC,

Many have gone, many have come;

Manchester College is for me,

Friendly and dear, my college home.

Verse 2

Glory she has of sterling worth:

High honors earned, victories won;

Manchester College challenges

Each student girl, each student son.

Verse 3

Watched by the oaks we come and go,

Building today for future days;

Manchester College, let us give 

Beautiful love and happy praise.

 

"Philalethean Song," arranged by Kathryn Wright '32 Brown.

 

Verse 1

We love you, Philalethea,

We love you colors too;

You white which stands for purity,

And loyalty your blue.

With all sincerity we love

The truth for which you stand;

For you we'll fight from day to day,

And labor hand in hand.

Verse 2

We'll sing your praises every day,

We'll tell your worth each night;

And mid the strife of daily tasks

We'll bravely for you fight;

We will be true to our own selves,

To you we will be true;

We know that you have need of us

And we have need of you.

Verse 3

Dear Philalethea, we will work

For that which really pays;

Your life in us we'll then live on

E'en after College days.

And when we leave M.C's dear halls

In all our strength of youth,

Because of you we will depart

With greater love for truth.

Chorus

Then hail to you, our Philalethea,

To our colors we'll be true;

The blue and white forever more

Shall float from shore to shore,

And now to you we pledge our honor

And devotion Philalethea;

The blue and white forever,

We will fight for you.

 

"Philomathea," (origin unknown)

 

Verse 1

Where ever in this world we go,

We'll sing just the same old song;

'Twill be born on all the winds that blow,

From hearts that are true and strong.

Verse 2

Then let us bravely raise the song,

And make the last welkin ring;

Our days in college won't be long,

But while we are here we'll sing.

Chorus

Come Sisters let us sing to Philomathea songs of loyalty and praise

For we love our Philomathea, 

And to her we'll sing our lays

Give to others something, receive something

Is the motto we hold dear:

Our purple and our gold,

To us will ne'er grow old

Philomathea we love.

 

"Philophronia," by Benjamin Stoner '28 and Wilbur Royer '22.

 

Verse 1

Of all the good societies there are in old M.C.

There's only one that makes the run, that takes the victory;

So to the one society, whose banner is unfurled,

We pledge the best we have to give, the best in all the world.

Verse 2

The classic halls of old M.C. full many a banner hold

But not one is so stately as the dark blue and the gold,

It stands for Philophronia, the name we all adore,

And ever shall our motto be "Vis Unita Fortoir."

Verse 3

Tho years may come and years may go and centuries pass away

And all the world may be engulfed within a brighter day,

But on the page of history inscribed in shining gold,

The tale of Philophronia shall ever more be told.

Chorus

Oh, Philophronia, the chimes for you shall ring,

Oh Philophronia, our love to you we bring,

Here's to Philophronia, pow'r and majesty,

Our Philophronia, the heart of old M.C.

 

 

"Philorhetoria," by Ralph Boyer '25.

 

Verse 1

There's a name to us so precious,

Just one word we love to hear;

It's because of what it stands for

That it's come to be so dear.

Verse 2

For we're members of a body

That is talked of for its zeal;

And for her we place our efforts

So that all her worth may feel.

Verse 3

May she ever keep her standard,

Which is bound to bring her friends,

Then we all can say quite proudly

That we are 'Rhetorians.

Chorus

Philorhetoria!

We love you.

We are 'Rhetorians through and through;

Philorhetoria!  

Best for me.

Philorhetoria!

Hail to thee!

 

"Spirit of Manchester," with music by Ernest Fischer.

 

Verse 1

In a little inland city, far from noise and strife

Stands our honored Manchester College, fitting youth for life.

Of her glory, and traditions, let us ever sing

Dear MC our Alma Mater, make her praises ring.

Verse 2

Others larger and more famous, by endowment blest

But for spirit Manchester College, far leads all the rest.

Shout her glory, sing her praises that the world may see

All the joy there is in being here at old MC.

Chorus

Hail Manchester, 

Hail Manchester, 

Frosh, Alumni all

Keep her standards 

E'er before you, 

May they never fall

Keep the spirit,

 Never falter, 

Fly her banner high

Manchester College, 

Manchester College, 

We love you.

© Manchester College Archives and Brethren Historical Collection
Last updated 29 June 2005 .