Lyrics by Edna Brand McGowan, Class of 1905. Edna's words, set to the tune of Cornell's "Far Above Cayuga's Waters", were selected as the winning entry, in a contest held to determine the lyrics. (Information provided by Edna's grandson, Richard Parkinson, Class of 1966)
Other Schools with the Same Tune for their Alma Mater Syracuse University - "Song of Syracuse"
The lyrics to Syracuse Univerity's Alma Mater were written by Junis W. Stevens 1895 to the tune of 'Annie Lisle'. It was first performed on March 15, 1893 by the University Glee and Banjo Club.
The lyrics to Cornell's Alma Mater were written by Archibald C. Weeks '72 and his roommate, Wilmot M. Smith '74 to the tune of 'Annie Lisle,' a ballad of the period recounting the gradual decline and death of the tuberculous heroine. ('Wave, willows; murmur, waters; Golden sunbeams, smile; Earthly music cannot waken Lovely Annie Lisle.') Although the Cornell Alma Mater actually consists of six verses, in keeping up with the increasing pace of the world, it is usually abreviated to only the first two. The Alma Mater is played by the Big Red Band at all Cornell football games. Cornell insists it is the first school to use the tune, which is played at the noon concert on the chimes. University of Missouri-Columbia The Alma mater, "Old Missouri", it is rumored was written on April 16, 1895 in one night by Dr. G.A. Wauchope a Professor of English, in a house on Conley Avenue near what is now Allen Auditorium. Old Missouri is set to the tune 'Annie Lisle' and is to be sung at all sporting events and gatherings. Students and Alumni should stand.
Created and maintained by Aileen Carney Sweeney - Class of 1974 Updated - Nov 15, 2011
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