Second Verse of Carmen

crzykillernut · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2005, 01:27 PM

I came across the second verse of Carmen Ohio the other day, and it really jumped out at me, especially considering the bumpy times we've had recently. I know the entire Buckeye Nation knows and loves the first verse, but I thought i'd put the other two up here as they have a lot of meaning as well, and also for those who haven't had the chance to hear/read them. Also, I took the liberty of posting a short history from the band's website at the bottom, for those curious minded individuals who haven't yet heard it.

Oh come let's sing Ohio's praise
And songs to Alma Mater raise
While our hearts rebounding thrill
With joy which death alone can still
Summer's heat or winter's cold
The seasons pass the years will roll
Time and change will surely (truly) show
How firm thy friendship ... OHIO!

These jolly days of priceless worth
By far the gladdest days on earth
Soon will pass and we not know
How dearly we love Ohio
We should strive to keep thy name
Of fair repute and spotless fame
So in college halls we'll grow
And love thee better ... OHIO!

Though age may dim our mem'ry's store
We'll think of happy days of yore
True to friend and frank to foe
As sturdy sons of Ohio
If on seas of care we roll
Neath blackened sky or barren shoal
Thoughts of thee bid darkness go
Dear Alma Mater...OHIO!

With lyrics written in 1902 by OSU freshman Fred Cornell, Carmen Ohio stands as Ohio State's oldest school song still in use. And as its alma mater, no other song expresses better all the reasons that people love Ohio State; the friends you make here, the good times you have, the pride you feel, whether you're an Ohio State student or just a fan. Set to the Christian melody, Spanish Hymn, aka Spanish Chant, the sounds of Carmen Ohio bring a tear to the eye and a lump in the throat.

There is also a story behind this song. In 1902, Ohio State played Michigan in Ann Arbor and lost the game 86-0. Fred Cornell, who attended the game, was a member of the Ohio State University Glee Club and a four letter athlete. On the train ride home he began to compose a song for Ohio State, by writing phrases on the back of an envelope. Inspired by the loss and hearing the Wolverine crowd sing The Yellow and Blue, Cornell proceeded to pen the hymn. Carmen Ohio was first performed by The Ohio State University Glee Club soon thereafter, in 1903. Carmen Ohio gained in popularity after it was first published in The Lantern on October 10, 1906 and appearing in the Ohio State-Michigan game program on October 20, 1906. The word "Carmen" means "song or poem", in Latin and Spanish, and hence the translated title of the alma mater means Song of Ohio or Ohio's Song.

[Author's Note: It is unknown why the word "truly" was changed to "surely" in the first verse.]

Adapted for brass band in 1955 by director Jack Evans and arranger Richard Heine, the sound of the Orton Hall chimes was added to the beginning of Carmen Ohio, and yet another tradition was born. Orton Hall was Built in 1892, and the chimes were installed in 1915. The chimes in the Orton Hall tower ring out the hours daily, and the Carillon is still played regularly. Daily at noon and other times on the hour, Carmen Ohio, Buckeye Battle Cry, Fight the Team Across the Field, and other Ohio State songs peal out of the tower and float across the Oval, reminding all that Ohio State is the best place to be!