Bright College Years
Encyclopedia
Bright College Years is one of the traditional songs of Yale University
, and often cited as the university's (unofficial but undisputed) alma mater
. It was written to the tune of Die Wacht am Rhein
in 1881 by Henry Durand
.
In some old songbooks and publications, the song can be found under the name "Dear Old Yale", possibly a reference to the closing words of another popular Yale song, Neath the Elms: "Jolly, jolly are the days neath the elms of dear old Yale!"
During World War I
, Bright College Years was nearly banned for its German heritage, and Yale men stationed in Paris sang it to the tune of La Marseillaise
.
, official custodians of the Yale song tradition through publication of Songs of Yale, traditionally closes every concert with the alma mater. At the end of every football game the Yale Precision Marching Band
performs the song while the senior members of the band sing along. Various member parties in the Yale Political Union include "Bright College Years" in their toasting sessions and celebrations. In addition, the song is sung at the end of Class Day (held the day before University Commencement annually). White handkerchiefs are raised in the air and waved on the last line.
Traditionally, only the first and third verses are sung, and the latest publication of Songs of Yale includes the lyrics of the second verse only in the appendix. In the spring of 2008, at the commencement concert, the graduating seniors of the Glee Club added the second verse into the song while the rest of the choir hummed their parts, a tradition the club hopes will continue in years to come.
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, and often cited as the university's (unofficial but undisputed) alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. It was written to the tune of Die Wacht am Rhein
Die Wacht am Rhein
"Die Wacht am Rhein" is a German patriotic anthem. The song's origins are rooted in historical conflicts with France, and it was particularly popular in Germany during the Franco-Prussian War and the First World War....
in 1881 by Henry Durand
Henry Durand
Henry Durand is credited having songwritten Bright College Years, the Yale University alma mater with Carl Wilhelm. Durand was born in Cincinnati, OH and prepared for Yale at the Hopkins School...
.
In some old songbooks and publications, the song can be found under the name "Dear Old Yale", possibly a reference to the closing words of another popular Yale song, Neath the Elms: "Jolly, jolly are the days neath the elms of dear old Yale!"
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Bright College Years was nearly banned for its German heritage, and Yale men stationed in Paris sang it to the tune of La Marseillaise
La Marseillaise
"La Marseillaise" is the national anthem of France. The song, originally titled "Chant de guerre pour l'Armée du Rhin" was written and composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792. The French National Convention adopted it as the Republic's anthem in 1795...
.
Lyrics
Performance
The Yale Glee ClubYale Glee Club
The Yale Glee Club is a mixed chorus of men and women, consisting of students of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1861, it is the third oldest collegiate chorus in the United States after the Harvard Glee Club, founded in 1858, and the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club,...
, official custodians of the Yale song tradition through publication of Songs of Yale, traditionally closes every concert with the alma mater. At the end of every football game the Yale Precision Marching Band
Yale Precision Marching Band
The Yale Precision Marching Band is the official marching band of Yale University. It is a scatter band , as distinct from university marching bands that emphasize precise movements and geometric field formations...
performs the song while the senior members of the band sing along. Various member parties in the Yale Political Union include "Bright College Years" in their toasting sessions and celebrations. In addition, the song is sung at the end of Class Day (held the day before University Commencement annually). White handkerchiefs are raised in the air and waved on the last line.
Traditionally, only the first and third verses are sung, and the latest publication of Songs of Yale includes the lyrics of the second verse only in the appendix. In the spring of 2008, at the commencement concert, the graduating seniors of the Glee Club added the second verse into the song while the rest of the choir hummed their parts, a tradition the club hopes will continue in years to come.
In popular culture
- Bright College Years: Inside the American Campus Today is a book by Anne Matthews published in 1997 describing modern day academia.
- Bright College Years is a 1971 documentary filmed by Peter Rosen describing the reactions of people at Yale to President Nixon'sRichard NixonRichard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
bombing of Cambodia and the arrest of several Black PantherBlack Panther PartyThe Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
leaders in New Haven. - "Bright College Days" is the name of a satirical alma mater written by Harvard's Tom LehrerTom LehrerThomas Andrew "Tom" Lehrer is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, mathematician and polymath. He has lectured on mathematics and musical theater...
. It contains several Yale references.
External links
- Traditional Yale Songs lyrics at Yale Glee ClubYale Glee ClubThe Yale Glee Club is a mixed chorus of men and women, consisting of students of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1861, it is the third oldest collegiate chorus in the United States after the Harvard Glee Club, founded in 1858, and the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club,...
's website