Penn State Alma Mater
Encyclopedia
The "Penn State Alma Mater" is the official alma mater
of the The Pennsylvania State University. The song was accepted by the university in 1901.
, wrote lyrics and published them freelance in April 1901. He encouraged suggestions from other writers, but his lyrics were chosen to go with the tune of Cauviere's "Lead Me On", a song played at commencement
. Pattee felt it was a good match, as it was well-suited for male voices.
Pattee's song premiered at an alumni dinner during Commencement Week in June 1901. Governor James Beaver, President of the Board of Trustees, called it "the official song of Penn State", and University President George Atherton accepted it as the official alma mater.
Pattee's original 1901 lyrics contained six verses, but the last two were later dropped. The original lyrics also contained the phrases "When we stood at boyhood's gate" and "Thou didst mold us ... into men", as the university was primarily male-oriented at the beginning of the 20th century, although some concern had been expressed at the time because Penn State had been coed since 1871. In Pattee's posthumously-published autobiography
, however, he recommended changing the phrasing into "childhood" and a repeat of "dear old State", as the university was coeducation
al. This change occurred in 1975, declared as "International Women's Year" by the United Nations
.
For the future that we wait,
Sing our love and loyalty,
Rest, O mother dear, with thee,
When we stood at childhood's gate,
Thou didst mold us, dear old State,
May no act of ours bring shame,
May our lives but swell thy fame,
(verses 5 and 6 are rarely performed any longer)
Soon we know a guiding hand
Yet we'll ever loyal stand
Then Rah! Rah! for dear old State,
Ring the song with joy elate
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
of the The Pennsylvania State University. The song was accepted by the university in 1901.
History
Because Penn State lacked an alma mater, Fred Lewis Pattee, Professor of American LiteratureAmerican literature
American literature is the written or literary work produced in the area of the United States and its preceding colonies. For more specific discussions of poetry and theater, see Poetry of the United States and Theater in the United States. During its early history, America was a series of British...
, wrote lyrics and published them freelance in April 1901. He encouraged suggestions from other writers, but his lyrics were chosen to go with the tune of Cauviere's "Lead Me On", a song played at commencement
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
. Pattee felt it was a good match, as it was well-suited for male voices.
Pattee's song premiered at an alumni dinner during Commencement Week in June 1901. Governor James Beaver, President of the Board of Trustees, called it "the official song of Penn State", and University President George Atherton accepted it as the official alma mater.
Pattee's original 1901 lyrics contained six verses, but the last two were later dropped. The original lyrics also contained the phrases "When we stood at boyhood's gate" and "Thou didst mold us ... into men", as the university was primarily male-oriented at the beginning of the 20th century, although some concern had been expressed at the time because Penn State had been coed since 1871. In Pattee's posthumously-published autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, however, he recommended changing the phrasing into "childhood" and a repeat of "dear old State", as the university was coeducation
Coeducation
Mixed-sex education, also known as coeducation or co-education, is the integrated education of male and female persons in the same institution. It is the opposite of single-sex education...
al. This change occurred in 1975, declared as "International Women's Year" by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
Lyrics
For the glory of old State,- For her founders strong and great,
For the future that we wait,
- Raise the song, raise the song.
Sing our love and loyalty,
- Sing our hopes that bright and free
Rest, O mother dear, with thee,
- All with thee, all with thee.
When we stood at childhood's gate,
- Shapeless in the hands of fate,
Thou didst mold us, dear old State,
- Dear old State, dear old State.
May no act of ours bring shame,
- To one heart that loves thy name.
May our lives but swell thy fame,
- Dear old State, dear old State.
(verses 5 and 6 are rarely performed any longer)
Soon we know a guiding hand
- Will disperse our little band,
Yet we'll ever loyal stand
- State to thee, State to thee
Then Rah! Rah! for dear old State,
- For our love can ne'er abate!
Ring the song with joy elate
- Loud and long, loud and long.
See also
- Fight On, StateFight On, State"Fight On, State" is the official fight song of The Pennsylvania State University. It is most widely known for being played by the Penn State Blue Band after scores at football games, and during the band's pre-game show. It is designed specifically for being played after a touchdown, because it is...
, official fight songFight songA fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term, referring to a song associated with a team. In both professional and amateur sports, fight songs are a popular way for fans to cheer for their team...
of The Pennsylvania State University - The Nittany LionThe Nittany Lion (song)"The Nittany Lion" is a traditional fight song played by the Penn State Blue Band at football games and other sporting events. During the pre-game show of home football games at Beaver Stadium, it is part of the traditional Lion Fanfare and Downfield...
, traditional fight songFight songA fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term, referring to a song associated with a team. In both professional and amateur sports, fight songs are a popular way for fans to cheer for their team...
of The Pennsylvania State University played by the Blue BandPenn State Blue BandThe Penn State University Marching Blue Band, known generally as the Blue Band, is the marching band of Pennsylvania State University. Founded in 1899, it is the largest recognized student organization at the University Park campus of Penn State, presently with over 300 active student members...
during football gamesPenn State Nittany Lions footballThe Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
External links
- Mp3 of the "Penn State Alma Mater", sung by the Penn State Glee Club
- Mp3 of the "Penn State Alma Mater", played by the Penn State Blue BandPenn State Blue BandThe Penn State University Marching Blue Band, known generally as the Blue Band, is the marching band of Pennsylvania State University. Founded in 1899, it is the largest recognized student organization at the University Park campus of Penn State, presently with over 300 active student members...