1916 Volume 41 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

10 THE SCROLLThe Wise Old Owl is the theme of a song by two Williams Phis,Lloyd Hayward Barlett and Julian Delamater Hamlin, the firstverse of which follows:Deep within the mazes of a wood mysterious.Sat a lonely owl on a hemlock bough;Gazing at me from his perch with look imperious,His saucer eyes a-shining—I can see him now.Knowing as I did, he was the wisest bird a-hovering.Said I, "Mr. Owl, what's the best Fraternity?""The answer," said he, "I've no trouble in discovering.Phi Delta Theta is the place for me."There is a number ot rolicking songs by Alexander Gwyn Foster,Frank Eckley Hunter, Charles Groenendyke and others. Foster,Hunter and I edited one edition of the songbook, and Frank DuganSwope and I edited another. Swope was a jovial companion andthe life of any company he was with. When in a serious mood hewrote Friends IVIust Part, and it is saddening to think that he livedonly a few years afterward. The last verse •follows:Life at best is short and brief.Full of sorrow, full of grief.Cherished then should friendship be.Hearts from youth kept light and free.Friends are oft a precious boon.Must we, friends, then part so soon ?Be we ever leal and true.Loyal to the Wliite and Blue.Svifope was a good musician, and composed a delightful air forMerrily Let Us Sing. Of the songs with original airs the best knownis the Phi Yell Song, 'which scored an instant success when it wasproduced for the National Convention at Chicago in 1912. Thewords were by Harry Weese and the music by Harry Auracher.Another song with original music that is very popular throughoutthe Fraternity is Rolling Home, Woodman Bradbury wrote boththe words and music. The first verse:The little stars are twinkling, as we seek our college home;With laugh and song, we roll along, beneath the starry dome ;The crescent moon is sailing West, where old Miami stands.Where Phi Delta Theta, Pulcherrima Mater,First opened her bountiful hands.I have here quoted or designated some of my favorites among songsof Phi Delta Theta, but the sixth edition contains many others thatany Phi will enjoy singing or hearing others sing, or enjoy evenreading. The members while in college should memorize these songsso as to sing them in chapter chorus. When heard in after years,at alumni reunion, or when the old college chapter is revi.sited thesesongs will recall delightful associations in the past and strengthenvour attachment to Phi Delta Theta.