Carmen Ohio
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Carmen Ohio is the oldest school song still used by The Ohio State University. The song was written by Ohio State freshman Fred Cornell. After a tough loss during the 1902 season to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Cornell wrote lyrics to the melody of Spanish Hymn or Spanish Chant (also known to United Methodists as "Come, Christians, Join to Sing") on the train ride home. The Men's Glee Club performed the song in 1903 and it gained in popularity after its October 10, 1906 publication in The Lantern. At the following Ohio State-Michigan football game on October 20, 1906, Carmen Ohio was published in the program.
Band director Jack Evans and arranger Richard Heine adapted the song to the brass band Ohio State is now famous for. The sound of bells from Orton Hall tower were added.
[edit] Lyrics of Carmen Ohio
While the original song contains three verses, generally only the first verse is sung.
- Oh come let's sing Ohio's praise
- And songs to Alma Mater raise
- While our hearts rebounding thrill
- With joy which death alone can still
- Summer's heat or winter's cold
- The seasons pass the years will roll
- Time and change will surely (truly) show
- How firm thy friendship ... OHIO!
- These jolly days of priceless worth
- By far the gladdest days on earth
- Soon will pass and we not know
- How dearly we love Ohio
- We should strive to keep thy name
- Of fair repute and spotless fame
- So in college halls we'll grow
- And love thee better ... OHIO!
- Though age may dim our mem'ry's store
- We'll think of happy days of yore
- True to friend and frank to foe
- As sturdy sons of Ohio
- If on seas of care we roll
- Neath blackened sky or barren shoal
- Thoughts of thee bid darkness go
- Dear Alma Mater...OHIO!
[edit] Variations
This version is sung to the same melody as Carmen Ohio. It is from an acrostic published in the Ohio State University Monthly in April, 1916.
- OHIO!!
- Here, we know,
- Is a glorious name,
- Our hearts to thrill.
- Since it is
- To her we owe
- All
- That gives us
- Effect unto our will.
- United,
- Now
- In
- Voices gay,
- Every loyal,
- Ringing true,
- Scarlet rose and ribbon gray, OHIO STATE
- I sing
- To
- You!!
(notice the letters line up on the left to spell out "Ohio State University")
[edit] External links
| The Ohio State University |
|---|
