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Keep the history alive! |
Music for the song was provided by Henry Tovey who was the director of the Glee Club at the time. Tovey is also known for providing the music for the Arkansas Field Song (commonly known as the Arkansas Fight Song) in 1918. As a result, both of the most famous songs associated with the University were set to music by the same person.
In 1909, Payne submitted the song to a competition chartered to find a song that was representative of the University. By the end of the competition, he had won first place giving the University its new Alma Mater.The song has gone on to become recognized as one of the top 25 college songs in America.
The first verse is what has become the common portion that is sung at football games, but below is the complete version as penned by Payne.
"Pure as the dawn on the brow of thy beauty
Watches thy soul from the mountains of God
Over the Fates of thy children departed
Far from the land where their footsteps have trod.
Beacon of hope in the ways dreary lighted;
Pride of our hearts that are loyal and true;
From those who adore unto one who adores us-
Mother of Mothers, we sing unto you.
We, with our faces turned high to the Eastward,
Proud of our place in the vanguard of Truth,
Will sing unto thee a new song of thanksgiving-
Honor to God and the Springtime of Youth.
Shout of the victor or tear of the vanquished;
Sunshine or tempest thy heart is e'er true;
Pride of the Hills and the white-laden Lowlands-
Mother of Mothers, we kneel unto you.
Ever the Legions of Sin will assail us,
Ever the Battle in Cities afar;
Still in the depths will thy Spirit eternal
Beckon us on like a piloting Star.
Down in dim years do thy dead children call thee,
Wafted to Sleep while the Springtime was new;
We, of the Present, thy hope of the Future-
Mother of Mothers, we pray unto you."
However, the song is now owned by The Southern Music Company in San Antonio, Texas. (it's ironic that a Texas company would own the license to one of the most famous University of Arkansas songs.) The beginning words are the ones which I chose for my ebook about all of the things associated with the history of Razorback football. The words "Hit That Line" say it all!
"Hit that line! Hit that line!
Keep on going!
Take that ball right
down the field!
Give a cheer. Rah! Rah!
Never fear. Rah! Rah!
Arkansas will never yield!
On your toes, Razorbacks,
to the finish,
Carry on with all your might!
For it’s A-A-A-R-K-A-N-S-A-S
for Arkansas!
Fight! Fight! Fi-i-i-ight!"
Whatever you do, always remember to - Keep the history alive!