Traditions: Alma Mater

Download the Alma Mater

Choral Version

Quicktime file (.aiff) or

Windows Media file (.wma)

Instrumental Version

Mpeg 4 file (.aiff) or

Windows Media file (.wma)

A mainstay of College events, including Founders Day and Commencement, the Alma Mater traces its melody back to the 19th-century folk song, Sadie Ray, which mourned the loss of a lover with verses such as:

Oft I kissed her and carressed her
As we danced the hours away
Oft I've told her that I loved her
But she's dead, my Sadie Ray.

David Fleming Turner, Class of 1901, composed four original verses for The Navy Blue and White.

James Bird, the College's Director of Music from 1897 to 1912, arranged the tune for chorus.

The Navy Blue and White

First Verse	Second Verse
Time-honored Marietta, Thy walls to us are dear. Oh! How can we forget thee, Or the times that we've spent here? Thy name we'll ever cherish, And for thy banner fight, Nor ever let it perish— The Navy Blue and White!	Gladly do we sing thy praises And of thy heroes tell— How many brave hearts struggled Because they loved thee well. 'Twill be our firm endeavor To stand up for the right, Protect, and keep thee ever, O Navy Blue and White!
Third Verse	Fourth Verse
Best of all we love the banner That waves o'er land and sea, And proclaims to all its freedom And undying liberty— And then our colors waving We hail with fond delight. We're one and all for saving The Navy Blue and White!	Then we'll give to Marietta The honor that she's won, And let us hope her labors Are only just begun. And when we're called to duty, To battle for the right, Wave on in all thy beauty, O Navy Blue and White!
Chorus
Thy dear name we'll ever cherish, And for thy banner fight, Nor ever let it perish— The Navy Blue and White!