Cornell University has a rich tradition of songs dating back to shortly after students first arrived in 1868. Without a doubt, the two best known are the Alma Mater and Evening Song, frequently sung at the conclusion of Glee Club performances.

Alma Mater
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Far above Cayuga's waters,
With its waves of blue,
Stands our noble alma mater,
Glorious to view.

Refrain
Lift the chorus, speed it onward,
Loud her praises tell;
Hail to thee, our alma mater!
Hail, all hail, Cornell!

Far above the busy humming
Of the bustling town,
Reared against the arch of heaven,
Looks she proudly down.

Written by two roommates around 1870, the Cornell Alma Mater is considered to be the most widely copied alma mater in existence. The original melody is taken from a typical song of the time, Annie Lisle, a melancholy ballad of a heroine with tuberculosis written by Boston musician H. S. Thompson in the late 1850s. Although Cornell is believed to be the first school to have used the melody for its alma mater, it has since been copied by high schools and universities around the world, including Indiana University, University of Missouri, University of Georgia, University of North Carolina, and even the American University in Beirut, many of which contain lyrics similar to the Cornell lyrics.

Cornell's lyricists were Wilmot M. Smith 1874 and Archibald C. Weeks 1872, who lived at 60 North Tioga Street in Ithaca while attending Cornell. Interested in creating a popular school song, the two quickly sketched out six verses by alternating each line between the two. The currently accepted lyrics differ slightly, likely the result of an arranger named Colin K. Urquhart who revised them for publication in the late 1800s.

Although only the first two verses are typically sung, all six can be heard in Lynah Rink at the last home hockey game of the regular season.

Interested in learning more about our Alma Mater's unique history? Purchase The Story of Cornell's Alma Mater in our Online Store.

Evening Song
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When the sun fades far away
In the crimson of the west,
And the voices of the day
Murmur low and sink to rest,

Refrain
Music with the twilight falls
O'er the dreaming lake and dell;
'Tis an echo from the walls
Of our own, our fair Cornell.

Welcome night and welcome rest;
Fading music fare thee well!
Joy to all we love the best,
Love to thee our fair Cornell!

Sung to the traditional German tune of "O Tannenbaum," the Evening Song lyrics were first published under the name "T." in the Cornell Era in 1877. The author, Henry Tyrrell 1880 created one of the most beautiful songs in the Cornell repertoire, certain to conjure up images of the sun setting over picturesque Cayuga Lake.

For sheet music for these songs and others, purchase Songs of Cornell in our Online Store. The songbook includes arrangements of the Alma Mater and Evening Song for piano, men's chorus, and mixed chorus. Many other popular Cornell songs are included such as Give My Regards to Davy, My Old Cornell, Strike Up a Song and more.

For a CD of Cornell songs, purchase the Songs of Cornell album, also available in our Online Store.