Ode to Old Union
''(AIR -- "Sparkling and Bright.")''
Let the Grecian dream of his sacred stream,

And sing of the brave adorning,

That Phoebus weaves from his laurel leaves

At the golden gates of Morning;

But the brook that bounds through Union's grounds

Gleams bright as the Delphic water,

And a prize as fair as a god may wear,

Is a dip from our Alma Mater!



CHORUS:

Then here's to thee, the brave and free,

Old Union smiling o'er us;

And for many a day, as thy walls grow gray,

May they ring with thy children's chorus.



Could our praises throng on the waves of song,

Like an Orient fleet gem-bringing,

We would bear to thee the argosy,

And crown thee with pearls of singing;

But thy smile beams down beneath a crown

Whose glory asks no other;

We gather it not from the green sea-grot --

'Tis the love we bear our mother!



CHORUS



Let the joy that falls from thy dear old walls,

Unchanged, brave Time's on-darting,

And our only tear falls once a year

On hands that clasp ere parting;

And when other throngs shall sing thy songs,

And their spell once hath bound us,

Our faded hours shall revive their flowers,

And the Past shall live around us.