Sweetheart of Sigma Chi

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The cover of a set of sheet music from 1924
The cover of a set of sheet music from 1924

Often called the most beloved and popular of college fraternity songs, "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" was written in 1911[1] by Byron D. Stokes (Albion, Class of 1913) and F. Dudleigh Vernor (Albion, Class of 1914). Stokes had written the words while in class one June day that year, and presented them that afternoon to Vernor, who was practicing the piano in a local house, and composed the music at that time. The song has since become a favorite among ballroom orchestras and was used in two movie musicals of the same name, in 1933 and 1946. When asked about the song's inspiration, Stokes replied, "The 'Sweetheart' is the symbol for the spiritual ingredient in brotherhood. It was the Sigma Chi Fraternity itself that inspired the song. I wrote the words not long after my initiation, and the magic of our Ritual with its poetic overtones and undertones was, I suppose, the source of my inspiration".

The song was first sung by Harry Cliford (Albion '11), who later drew the cover for the original sheet music published by Vernor's brother Harry Vernor (Albion '13). The song became a big band hit, has in film and television, and continues to be recognized around the world. Through the years many people have tried to pin the title of "original sweetheart" on many women, however the two most likely candidates are Elsie Munro (Vernor's girlfriend) and Helen Beall Russell, who lived next to the old chapter house. Either way since then the concept of the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi has gained popularity all across the world with the adoption of sweethearts at every chapter and even an international sweetheart. [2]

Contents

[edit] Lyrics

[edit] The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi

When the world goes wrong as it's bound to do,
and you've broken Dan Cupid's bow,
and you long for the girl you used to love,
the maid of the long ago,
why, light your pipe, bid sorrow avaunt,
blow the smoke from your altar of dreams,
and wreathe the face of your dream girl there,
the love that is just what it seems.
Chorus
The girl of my dreams is the sweetest girl of all the girls I know.
Each sweet coed, like a rainbow trail, fades in the afterglow.
The blue of her eyes and the gold of her hair are a blend of the western sky,
and the moonlight beams on the girl of my dreams.
She's the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.
Every magic breeze wafts a kiss to you
from the lips of your sweet sixteen,
and one-by-one the maids you knew
all bow to your Meerschuam Queen.
As the years drift by on the tides of time,
and they all have forgotten but you,
then the girl of your dreams, the sweeter seems.
She's the girl who is always true.
Chorus
The girl of my dreams is the sweetest girl of all the girls I know.
Each sweet coed, like a rainbow trail, fades in the afterglow.
The blue of her eyes and the gold of her hair are a blend of the western sky,
and the moonlight beams on the girl of my dreams.
She's the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.

[edit] Performers

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Gene Austin (1925-1936), "Voice of the Southland"[3]

Burt Bales (1959), "On the Waterfront"[4]

Bing Crosby (?), "On Treasure Island"[5]

Dean Martin (1946)[6]

Muzzy Marcellino (?)[7]

Ben Webster (1960), "The Warm Moods"[8]

SIGnificant (2007), downloadable from SigmaChi.org [9]

[edit] Literature

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

[edit] Movies

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Ghost Story (1981)[10]

Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (1946)[11]

The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (1933)[12]

[edit] Television

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Albion Michigan Historical Marker
  2. ^ The Sweetheart Chapter (Alpha Pi)
  3. ^ Gene Austin (Artist Direct)
  4. ^ Burt Bales (Artist Direct)
  5. ^ Bing Crosby (Artist Direct)
  6. ^ Dean Martin (Lyrics Download)
  7. ^ Muzzy Marcellino (Artist Direct)
  8. ^ Ben Webster (Artist Direct)
  9. ^ New Version of Sweetheart Song
  10. ^ Ghost Story (IMDb)
  11. ^ Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (IMDb)
  12. ^ The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (IMDb)
  13. ^ Who's the Boss: Mona Gets Pinned (TV.com)

[edit] External links

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Sigma Chi

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The Magazine of Sigma Chi - Sweetheart of Sigma Chi - The Norman Shield

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