<p>I'd ask this on the WP forum, but I'd probably get booed! Does WP's alma mater HAVE words? Every time I hear it played, I don't see or hear the Corps singing. I'm just wondering...</p>
<p>A very hasty search turned up this:</p>
<p>Hail, Alma Mater dear,
To us be ever near,
Help us thy motto bear
Through all the years.
Let duty be well performed,
Honor be e'er untarned,
Country be ever armed,
West Point, by thee.</p>
<p>Guide us, thy sons, aright,
Teach us by day, by night,
To keep thine honor bright,
For thee to fight.
When we depart from thee,
Serving on land or sea,
May we still loyal be,
West Point, to thee.</p>
<p>And when our work is done,
Our course on earth is run,
May it be said, 'Well Done;
Be Thou At Peace.'
E'er may that line of gray
Increase from day to day,
Live, serve, and die, we pray,
West Point, for thee.</p>
<p>Maybe they just don't SING it???</p>
<p>ask shogun, he won't bite</p>
<p>How many times have you heard them sing it. Maybe you should get your ears checked. I'm guessing you have only heard it at the Army-Navy games. You try losing 6 straight years and then sing the Alma Mater over the band. You probably don't know, but losing those games is extremely heartbreaking not only for the players, but for the whole corps, so it's likely you wont hear the words to the song.</p>
<p>I think I do understand that losing is heartbreaking. And I think my ears are just fine, thank you. If you check what I posted, I was merely wondering if it was not the tradition to sing it. I don't know the traditions of WP, hence my question. How many times have I heard them SING it? None. I've only heard the band play it. That's why I asked. I hope you have a pleasant day.</p>
<p>heartcross - </p>
<p>yeah I think Homer09 misunderstood your post - </p>
<p>West Point Cadets DO sing the alma mater - here is a link to an audio clip:
Live</a> Sound Clips</p>
<p>I am curious though - where were you that the band played and cadets did not sing? </p>
<p>If you posted this on the USMA forum you probably would get more perspective on it and no you won't get booed!</p>
<p>Heartcross - </p>
<p>here is a youtube video of the alma mater at the end of the Army win over Tulane on Oct 6th:</p>
<p>Heartcross - we are a friendly bunch over on the WP site even during Army-Navy week ;), you should visit sometime.
I am sorry you have never seen or heard the corps sing the alma mater - it is a real treat. I heard them sing even after losing to Navy last year. For what it is worth, I enjoyed hearing the mids sing too.
I admire all of the young men and women who accept appointments to the academies, but having a cadet means that WP has a special place in my heart - Go Army, Beat Navy! :)</p>
<p>the cadets sing it at just about every event (much as USNA does)- have heard it at every football, basketball and lax game at least- but by far, my favorite place to hear it includes Michie Stadium, The Cadet Chapel and perhaps best of all, Washington Hall! </p>
<p>It is every bit as beautiful as Navy's Blue and Gold-and not a doubt sung with just as much pride!!!</p>
<p>Oh, I'm so glad they sing it! It would be a shame to not have that as part of their traditions. I'll look forward to hearing both alma maters on Saturday. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>** Army Week Fun **</p>
<p>The West Point alma mater is truly beautiful, and I always love to hear it first at the end of the Army-Navy game. :)</p>
<p>For those of you that don't know, the losing team always sings their alma mater first.</p>
<p>Now, for something shameless...</p>
<p>My Plebe Summer squad leader taught us these words to the Army Fight Song...On Brave Old Army Team</p>
<p>We don't play Notre Dame (No, we don't!)
We don't play Tu-la-a-a-ne,
We just play Holy Cross
'Cause that's the the fearless Army way!</p>
<p>We just play little schools
'Cause losing ain't no fu-u-u-n,
The next team on our schedule
Is the Institute for Deaf and Dumb.</p>
<p>Not PC, I know, but all in the spirit of the rivalry.</p>
<p>It was only 12 years after I graduated that I finally learned the real words. Great song.</p>
<p>I'm going to the game on Saturday and am not taking anything for granted. I hope we win, but it's still just a game in the big scheme of things.</p>
<p>Interesting bit "we just play Holy Cross". Well, the last time they played, 2002, Army lost 30-21 at home versus HC.</p>
<p>I recall seeing that song from a set of songs from the 30s and 40s of old college songs. Back at that time Holy Cross was a national football powerhouse on par with with all the top teams. This was before the rapid expansion of land grant universities with the GI Bill after WWII.</p>
<p>Well, I think it's actually the opposite. Holy Cross was a pushover whenever these words were penned, and Tulane was a powerhouse, hence the derision...</p>