School songs

Columbia has a number of School songs. You probably don't know the words to most (or all) of them. That's OK. You have this page.

Alma Mater

Alma Mater literally means "nourishing mother". The motto (and original name) of the University of Bologna (the oldest continually operating university in the world) is Alma Mater Studiorum ("Nourishing Mother of Studies").

While in the context of Columbia Alma Mater almost always refers to the Daniel Chester French sculpture that graces the steps to Low Library, in the United States "Alma Mater" is the term for a school song or hymn. At Columbia there is a University alma mater in addition to individual school alma maters for some divisions, most notably for Columbia College. It is also colloquially used as a general term for the school from which one graduated.

Sans Souci

Sans Souci (french for "without cares" or "carefree") is the Columbia College Alma Mater, composed by Percy Fridenberg in 1886. It is often performed at the conclusion of various alumni functions, among them the Alexander Hamilton Medal dinner and the John Jay Awards for Distinguished Professional Achievement. The CUMB can be seen performing the song at the conclusion of each football game, with the team gathered in front of them. Additionally, Orgo Night traditionally ends with the underclassmen members of the band singing Sans Souci to the seniors, who stand together on the steps of Furnald Hall. It is also performed a cappella at CC's Class Day.

1. What if tomorrow bring Sorrow or anything Other than joy? What if't be wintry chill Rain, storm or summer's thrill? Tomorrow's the future still; This is today! Tomorrow's the future still; This is today.

2. Out on life's stormy seas All of us soon may be, Far, far away. Still hold your glasses high, Here's to youth while it's nigh; Though we tomorrow die, This is today! Though we tomorrow die, This is today.

3. One last toast e'er we part, Written on ev'ry heart, This motto stay Long may Columbia stand, Honored throughout the land, Our Alma Mater grand, Now and for ay! Our Alma Mater grand, Now and for ay.

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Stand, Columbia

Stand, Columbia is the official University alma mater. Written by Gilbert Oakley Ward (CC 1902) in 1904 to the tune of Haydn's Emperor Quartet, which also serves as the melody for the German national anthem (both with the old lyrics of "Deutschland über alles" and the present less jingoistic version beginning "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit"), the song possibly fell out of favor along with most other vestiges of germanophilia following World War I. The song is, however, traditionally performed at the Baccalaureate Ceremony and University Commencement, as well as at various alumni functions.

1. Mother, stay'd on rock eternal, Crown'd and set upon a height, Glorified by Light supernal In thy radiance we see light, Torch thy children's lamps to kindle, Beacon-star to cheer and guide, Stand, Columbia! Alma Mater Through the storms of Time abide! Stand, Columbia! Alma Mater Through the storms of Time abide!

2. Honor, love, and veneration Crown forevermore thy brow! Many a grateful generation Hail thee as we hail thee now! Till the lordly Hudson seaward Cease to roll his heaving tide, Stand, Columbia! Alma Mater Through the storms of Time abide! Stand, Columbia! Alma Mater Through the storms of Time abide!

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Listen here to the melody (ogg format): Haydn's "Emperor" Quartet, II

Fight Songs

Roar, Lion, Roar

Roar is Columbia's fight song and is the song that's most often associated with the school. The lyrics were written by Corey Ford CC '23 in 1923 to the melody of a song titled "Bold, Buccaneers!" from the 1923 Varsity Show "Half Moon Inn." The song is rarely, if ever, performed with both stanzas. Usually only the second is performed.

1. When the bold, teams of old Wore the Blue and White, Deeds of fame, made their name, Here at old Columbia. Nowadays we can praise Fighting teams again. Hear the lion roar in pride, While the men of Morningside Follow the Blue and White to Vict'ry...

2. Roar, Lion, Roar And wake the echoes of the Hudson Valley! Fight on to victory evermore, While the sons of Knickerbocker rally round Columbia! Columbia! Shouting her name forever! Roar, Lion, Roar For Alma Mater on the Hudson Shore!

Listen here: "Roar, Lion Roar" • Instrumental Only Version

Who Owns New York?

Who Owns is a self-aggrandizing cheer referencing Columbia's historic position as one of New York City's largest landlords.

Oh, who owns New York?
Oh, who owns New York?
Oh, who owns New York the people say.
Why, we own New York!
Why, we own New York!
C-O-L-U-M-B-I-A!

Stand Up and Cheer

Stand up is a short cheer/song that the band will often play during breaks in action. The song was originally written for the University of Kansas in 1909, but has since been adapted as a fight song by a number of schools.

Stand up and cheer!
Stand up and cheer for old Columbia!
For today we raise
The Blue and White above the rest.
Our boys are fighting
And they are bound to win the fray.
We've got the team!
We've got the steam!
For this is old Columbia's day!

"Stand Up and Cheer" from Ohio Unversity

Defunct Songs of a Bygone Era

There are other Columbia songs that have faded into the mists of time.

Columbia Marching Song

In Fall of 1909, the Columbia Alumni Club of Illinois offered a prize of $100 for the composition of a new Columbia song. The April issue of Columbia Alumni News announced that the winner of $50 for the lyrics was Professor John Erskine CC 1900. In September, Frank Ward, organist of St Paul's Chapel, was awarded the other $50 for composing the winning melody to Erskine's song. The song has not been performed in recent memory.

I. When you're marching for Columbia, you had better march like men! And every mile you march for her you will wish were eight or ten; When you're marching for Columbia, your four years won't seem long, And then you'll wish you were back again to sing her marching song-- Chorus: Marching for Columbia, a royal road we tread! The heart is beating high, and the blood runs red, We're all young together, the best of life's ahead. When you march for Columbia!

II. Now the thunder of the city sets Columbia's heart athrill. Our home is on the battle-field--the battle's with us still! We keep the city's honor, we build the city's walls, And when she calls for fighting men, it's Columbia men she calls. Chorus: Marching for Columbia, a royal road we tread! The heart is beating high, and blood runs red, We're all young together, the best of life's ahead. When you march for Columbia!

III. They are sitting down and dreaming, are some folk we needn't name, Of their dead and gone forefathers, who gave them all their fame; But we've more and better fellows than we've ever had before, And we're marching toward to-morrow, that will give us plenty more. Chorus: Marching for Columbia, a royal road we tread! The heart is beating high, and the blood runs red, We're all young together, the best of life's ahead. When you march for Columbia!

Pop Songs

These aren't really "Columbia" songs, but they do feature Columbia in some way or form.

Tom's Diner

Tom's Diner is an a cappella song written in 1982 by Suzanne Vega. It captures a dreary morning scene inside Tom's Restaurant.

Hey There Delilah

Hey There Delilah is a love song written for Columbia alum Delilah DiCrescenzo.

Campus

"Campus" is a song written by alternative band and Columbia alumni Vampire Weekend. It is somewhat of a love song, but mostly describes day-to-day life on campus at Columbia.

External links

• Columbia University Marching Band
• Songs of Columbia 1877, 19th century college songbook, some original, some not, all predating the current classics.