student success - Johnson C. Smith University

ALMA MATER
(Loyalty Song)
The choice of an appropriate school song became a matter of controversy between
students and alumni in the 1920’s. Rev. O.W. Winkfield, a graduate of the class of
1911, proposed a college song which though considered having much merit, was not
adopted by the school. Another song, written by George Leonard Allen (J.C.S.U.
class of 1925) of the Kendall Institute, Sumter, South Carolina was more highly
received. It was reviewed by a professional critic, who noted, “It is a good cheer
song for football games and the like, but it has no depth and is not fitted, in its
present state, for a college song” (Parker, 1975, p. 15). The song was revised to
achieve desired depth and to reflect a coeducational student body. It was adopted in
1924, and today it is sung at all formal University events in loyalty to Alma Mater
(Parker, 1975).
Lyrics – George Leonard Allen
Music – J.R. Tate
I
We love thee, Smith, with all our hearts!
To thee we’ll e’er be true.
And in the light of truth and right
Hold high the Gold and Blue.
Refrain:
Proudly we hail thy name, our Alma Mater, Old S.U.
Johnson C. Smith, our own! Our hope, our guiding
star, our light unfailing!
Pride of our loyal hearts, we’ll love and honor thee our
whole life through.
On, ever on! dear old J.C.S.U.!
II
Fair Smith, where’er on earth we roam,
Send forth thy constant ray,
And let it beam with steadfast gleam
To lead us o’er life’s way.
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