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<\/a>All these songs share a kind of sentimental reverence.\u00a0 Well, almost all.\u00a0 Back in 1966, when Williston Academy was celebrating its 125th anniversary, legendary music teacher Richard Gregory, no doubt cringing over the mawkish encomiums such events tend to inspire, penned the following lyric for the Caterwaulers.\u00a0 The piece became one of their signature tunes during the sixties and into the seventies.<\/p>\n
We need no songs about your Founder.
\nWe mourn no matriarchal elm.
\nThe mists of time that rise around her
\nSomehow fail to overwhelm.<\/p>\n
Five hundred cynics, all austerely Here’s the score.\u00a0 Mr. Gregory would be quick to remind people that the music is not his own, but composed by Paolo Tosti (1846-1916), in an arrangement by fellow Yalie J. A. Paris.<\/p>\n The present-day Caterwaulers don’t currently sing this, but that could change!<\/p>\n Notes:<\/p>\n 1<\/sup>Alma Mater means, literally, “beloved mother.”<\/p>\n 2<\/sup>I regret to report that I have heard this quoted as “Hey there, Williston Northampton.” I am not making this up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Happy new year from the Williston Northampton Archives! Not long ago someone asked about school songs.\u00a0 She was a bit surprised that Williston has had several “official” alma maters1 — that would be almae matris for the Latin purists among us — over the last century or so.\u00a0\u00a0 Many of us recall “God Preserve Our … Continue reading Un-Alma Mater<\/span>
\nUnsentimental every one.
\nWe’d rather die than speak sincerely,
\nBut when all is said and done,
\nWe do confess we love you dearly,
\nYou old relic, Williston!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>