“William and Mary belongs to all Virginians, to the nation, and to the world.”
From a resolution unanimously adopted by the W&M Board of Visitors on Nov. 17, 2006
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The text below is of William & Mary’s alma mater song. It contains a stanza that calls out to “God, our Father” to hear the voices of William & Mary students and calls on God to “bless the College of our fathers” and to “never let her die”.
By the logic of President Nichol’s order to remove the Wren Cross, it is difficult to understand on what principled basis the text below survives. If Nichol believes that the Wren Chapel is not welcoming to all due to the presence of the Wren Cross, then certainly the presences of the words below that call out to God our Father will not be welcoming to the secular and the anti-religious among the students. By Nichol’s logic, these words too must be removed in order to – paraphrasing Nichol – recognize the full dignity of each member of the W&M’s diverse community.
Our Alma Mater
William & Mary’s Alma Mater Song
by James Southall Wilson (Class of 1904)
Link Here to Listen to Sung Version (Stanzas 1 and 2)
Chorus:
William and Mary loved of old,
Hark upon the gale,
Hear the thunder of our chorus,
Alma Mater hail!
Hark the students' voices swelling,
Strong and true and clear,
Alma Mater's love they're telling,
Ringing far and near. [Chorus]
God, our Father, hear our voices,
Listen to our cry,
Bless the College of our fathers,
Let her never die. [Chorus]
All thy sons are faithful to thee,
Through their college days,
Singing loud from hearts that love thee,
Alma Mater's praise. [Chorus]
Iron shod or golden sandaled,
Shall the years go by,
Still our hearts shall weave about thee,
Love that cannot die. [Chorus]