Songs of The Ohio State University
Carmen Ohio (Canton South Almer Matre)
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 well grow
And love thee better ... OHIO!
Though age may dim our memory'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!
With lyrics written in 1902 by OSU freshman Fred Cornell, Carmen Ohio stands
as Ohio State's oldest school song. And as its alma mater, no other song expresses
better all the reasons that people love Ohio State; the friends you make here, the
good times you have, the pride you feel, whether you're an Ohio State student or
just a fan. Set to the Christian tune, Spanish Hymn, aka Spanish Chant, the sounds
of Carmen Ohio bring a tear to the eye and a lump in the throat.
There is also a story behind this song. In 1902, Ohio State played Michigan in Ann
Arbor and lost the game 86-0. Fred Cornell, who attended the game, was a member
of the Ohio State University Glee Club and a four letter athlete. On the train ride
home he began to compose a song for Ohio State, by writing phrases on the back
of an envelope. Inspired by the loss and hearing the Wolverine crowd sing The
Yellow and Blue, Cornell proceeded to pen the hymm. Carmen Ohio was first
performed by The Ohio State University Glee Club soon threafter, in 1903.
Carmen Ohio gained in popularity after it was first published in The Lantern on
October 10, 1906 and appearing in the Ohio State-Michigan game program on
October 20, 1906. The word "Carmen" means "song or poem", in Latin and
Spanish, and hence the translated title of the alma mater means Song of Ohio or
Ohio's Song.
[Author's Note: It is unknown why the word "truly" was changed to "surely" in the
first verse.]
Adapted for brass band in 1955 by director Jack Evans and arranger Richard
Heine, the sound of the Orton Hall chimes was added to the beginning of Carmen
Ohio, and yet another tradition was born. Built in 1892, the chimes in the Orton
Hall tower ring out the hours daily, and the Carillon is still played regularly. Every
Friday at noon, Carmen Ohio, Buckeye Battle Cry, Fight the Team Across the
Field, and other Ohio State songs peal out of the tower and float across the Oval,
reminding all that Ohio State is the best place to be!