| |
|
School of our fathers
|
Thy spirit first
to life awoke
In eighteen hundred and thirty five
Beneath the sway of Marsh and Boake
Thenceforth did lanka's learning thrive |
| |
| Refrain |
School where
our fathers learnt the way before us
Learnt of books and learnt of men, through we will do
the same
True to our watchword "Disce Aut Discade"
We will learn of of books and men, and learn to play the
game |
| |
Within thy shade
our fathers trod
The path that leads to man's estate;
They have repaid the debt they owed;
They kept thy fame inviolate. |
| |
| Refrain |
And we
their loyal sons now bear
The torch, with hearts as sound as oak;
Our lusty throats now raise a cheer
For Hartely, Harward, Marsh and Boake.
|
| |
| History - College
Song |
|
Royal College the oldest public school in Sri Lanka
Lagged behind other Colleges without a college song
until Principal H.L.Reed composed and set to music the
SCHOOL OF OUR FATHERS in the Third term of 1927. The
music was later revised by S. Schmid.
|
|
|
|
In the following year when Royal College
won the MEADEN SHIELD in the schools singing compition
for the 8th year in succession SCHOOL OF OUR FATHERS
presented at the competition was a 'hit tune'. Much
credit for the magnificent performance of the college
choir goes to Mrs. H.L. Reed who was assisted by R.C.
Edwards. The college song made its public debut on 13th
July 1928.
|
|
|
|
A college song provides inspiration,
a fervour and attachment to one's old college. To the
old boys its nostalgia, of the years that were, the
happy carefree boyhood days. To the young 'Uns' who
now bear the torch the college song is something for
every conceivable occasion. They sing themselves hoarse.
They sing with pride-their own "anthem". One
has to witness them rendering the college song with
gusto-there's happiness written on their faces.
|
|
|
|
In 1968, a shorter version of the college
song in Sinhala was again composed on the instructions
of the Principal by the same combination which composed
the first song Messrs W.A. Wickramasena and S.J.F. Dissanayake.
|
| |
| |
