24
U niversity
ok
O regon M o n th ly
has an alma mater; it belongs solely and peculiarly to the institution
which produced it; it is “Die Wacht am Rhein,” or “God Save tie
King,” to the college which it glorifies; it is the epitome of college
feeling, college patriotism and college tradition. To the college man
it is by connotation “Annie Laurie.” “America,” and “Home, Sweet
Home,” to him it is more than a melody, i t is a record of joys and
sorrows, victories and defeats, ambitions and disappointments, of
things past and things to be. in it is summed up all that the- real
college means to, the real map. He sings it reverently arid with
enthusiasm.
Such songs are few, too few. Many colleges, 'like • Stanford,
have songs which represent different phases .of social and student-
activity, but these are shallow compared with a production that is
the concentrated essence of the feeling and spirit that give character
and life to the college itself. An example of this highest'type js
Yale’s new “Battle Song,” written by Brian Hooker, ’02. This song,
together with Cornell’s “Alma Mater,’* and part of -Princeton^ “Old
Nassau” are printed at the close of this , article.
“Amherst Forever,” “Brunonia” and “All Hail to the College
Beautiful” are the battle songs of Amherst, Brown and Wellesley.
Vassar is content to sing to “Maria Mitchell, good woiilan that she
am,” while other colleges are apparently satisfied with songs equal
ly inane.
Oregon is fortunate in the possession of three songs of its own
Yet still we await the Battle Song, the song that shall pulse with
Oregon spirit and throb in sympathy , with our student life. “Oh,
Oregon,” which comes nearest to the requirement, is too difficult
for ordinary voices. “Hail to Oregon,” and “The Toast” could never
be replaced by any battle song; such a song would, however, sup
plement them and fill a deeply felt want.
Who is to write this song?' Not -Brian Hooker, Certainly; he
could write for none but Yale;; not Urquhart of, Cornell, nor Reck
of Princeton, nor Tucker ’of Amherst, nor Silver of Brown, but
Someone of Oregon. No one else will do it for no one ;else can dp
it. The Oregon soiig must, to' an Oregon man,' teem with the sng-
gestion of literary, forensic and engineering achievement, of honor
able victory and defeat on the athletic field, of canoeing on the mill
race, of buildings varied and typical, of the Oregon grape, the.
flower of the college, of the students’ love for the University and his
yearning for an ever greater Oregon. Who will write it? When?