Carmen Ohio

Carmen Ohio remains the oldest school song still used by The Ohio State University. Eventually becoming the school's Alma Mater, on the train ride home from Ann Arbor, Michigan after Ohio State suffered an 86-0 loss to the University of Michigan during the 1902 season, Freshman football player Fred Cornell wrote lyrics to the melody of "Spanish Hymn", or "Spanish Chant". The Men's Glee Club performed the song in 1903 and, as it were, it fell by the wayside; however, it gained in popularity after its October 10, 1906 publication in "The Lantern". At the following Ohio State-Michigan football game on October 20, 1906, "Carmen Ohio" was published in the program. Currently, after every home football game in Ohio Stadium, the entire football team and the remaining crowd sing the first verse of Carmen Ohio, accompanied by The Ohio State University Marching Band.

Band director Jack Evans and arranger Richard Heine adapted the song to the brass band Ohio State is now famous for. The sound of bells from Orton Hall tower were added as an introduction to the song.

Lyrics of Carmen Ohio

While the original song contains three verses, generally only the first verse is sung.

:"Oh come let's sing Ohio's praise":"And songs to Alma Mater raise":"While our hearts rebounding thrill":"With joy which death alone can still":"Summer's heat or winter's cold":"The seasons pass the years will roll":"Time and change will surely (truly) show":"How firm thy friendship ... OHIO!"

:"These jolly days of priceless worth":"By far the gladdest days on earth":"Soon will pass and we not know":"How dearly we love Ohio":"We should strive to keep thy name":"Of fair repute and spotless fame":"So in college halls we'll grow":"And love thee better ... OHIO!"

:"Though age may dim our mem'ry's store":"We'll think of happy days of yore":"True to friend and frank to foe":"As sturdy sons of Ohio":"If on seas of care we roll":"Neath blackened sky or barren shoal":"Thoughts of thee bid darkness go":"Dear Alma Mater...OHIO!"

Variations

This version is sung to the same melody as "Carmen Ohio". It is from an acrostic published in the "Ohio State University Monthly" in April, 1916.

:"OHIO!!":"Here, we know,":"Is a glorious name,":"Our hearts to thrill."

:"Since it is":"To her we owe":"All":"That gives us":"Effect unto our will."

:"United,":"Now":"In":"Voices gay,":"Every loyal,":"Ringing true,":"Scarlet rose and ribbon gray, OHIO STATE":"I sing":"To":"You!!"

(notice the letters line up on the left to spell out "Ohio State University")

External links

* [http://users.frii.com/~nmetro/osu/songs/carmen_ohio_speech.html Carmen Ohio Centennial Speech]
* [http://users.frii.com/~nmetro/osu/songs/carmen_ohio.html Carmen Ohio History]