Memories

School Anthems

In America, college anthems are called “fight songs.” They're meant to be played at inter-collegiate matches, to inspire the home team and perhaps to intimidate the opposition. Picture all those hulking football players turning tail when that tuba starts pumping.

St Mary's has had a lot of anthems. At least four since 1960. Some are assertive, while others follow the more literal definition of an anthem: a prayer. Of course, for sports events, there's the immortal Soda lemon, soda lemon, gingerberry pop, St Mary's High School is always on the top. With the passage of time the tune and lyrics fade from memory, then along comes a musically inclined staff member and starts a new one. So here they are, music and lyrics documented for posterity. Don't stop at the first. A couple of the others are very nice.

1960s; 1981-

(Tune:

With Cat Like Tread, from The Pirates of Penzance)
Lyricist unknown. Revived by Br Keane in 1981.
Catchy popular tune and nice fighting lyrics, but they sit uncomfortably in places, and it's difficult to teach it right.

The 1887 building

Together we stand, St Mary's loyal men
Comrades all, right on to the end
Our work well done, we always do our best
Every task with courage and with zest
Forever true, forever true
To God and country we shall be
And always our dear school to thee

Refrain: Faithful we'll ever be
To our Alma Mater now and ever after
So that all shall see that we stand for loyalty

Onward we go, no matter what the cost
Striving still in spite of every loss
Our flag on high, waving in the air
Follow boys, it's proudly waiting there
The green and gold, the green and gold
For thee we'll toil with joy and love
And keep thee floating up above

1971-1981 (Tune: original, written for SMS by Br B McCarthy) Editor's pick. Original, short and to the point, dignified, and has a nice modulation.
St. Mary's, our own dear school Our voices we join in praise of you Your glory, so widely known, we proudly own In you we learn to work and play You direct us how to pray God we serve, and then our land These the loves for which we stand So God keep us true to you And bless our school	Fr. Bonaventure celebrates mass in the 1973 chapel

1965-1971

(Tune:

The Merry Ploughboy)
Promoted by Br O'Neill. The Merry Ploughboy was an Irish pub song sympathetic to the IRA.
Musically this has nothing in its favour and the second half of verse 2 has faded.

Sgt. Plummy and Plummy

Oh we're the boys of dear St. Mary's School
In the hills of Rajasthan
Where we work and play, are employed each day
Till we end our allotted span
It's a school we all are proud to own
And our teachers join us too
In the dim and distant years to come
To our motto we'll be true

Refrain: Valiant boys, we'll forge our way ahead
Though the way be rough or be smooth
May God grant we'll all meet up above
Each and all from the one dear school

In our class, without, on the field of play
We strive with all our might
To make the name of St Mary's great
In the eyes of one and all

1963-64

(Tune

from Irish folk melody. Lyrics written for SMS by Br Rigney and Freddy Rosario (1966))

Poetic charm in these lyrics, weaves beautiful sceneries, and may it never be forgotten. But due to its length, easy rhythm and subsequent contenders now in the field, it comes across more like an affectionate campfire/reunion song than a fighting anthem.

There's one fair spot in our country
With mem'ries so glorious and grand
Where nature has lavished its beauty
In the heart of the Rajputs' bright land

There lies our dear school with its teachers
The sons of St Patrick so true
And it bears in the depths of its bosom
High hopes for all and for you

Refrain It's my own school so gay
But, yet one day
I know that I must leave you
In other climes to stray
No matter where I wander
In cities near or far
My thoughts will return to Mount Abu
And this joy no one can mar

We walk every path of the jungle
Old Plummy so oft do we climb
To the haunts of the tiger and panther
Then back by the old road again

Sometimes to the point where the sunset
Sinks into the streamlets and rills
To return when the shadows of evening
And darkness come over the hills

Paddy's Bridge, looking towards school

Goethals Memorial School

What, another CB school's anthem? Sure, we're all friends! Mr H J Ludwig introduced the Goethals anthem to St Mary's ears when he served as band master in 1968-69. The tune is from “On, Wisconsin,” the University of Wisconsin fight song that was written more than a century ago. The greatest march composer of them all, John Philip Sousa, is said to have described this as “the finest college marching song ever written.” In this recording, the familiar part begins almost halfway through. Source: University of Wisconsin.