USC Handbook - Page 1
Alma Mater
By JOHN OILVER WILSON [John Oliver Wilson], ’08
‘Mid storied lands our college stands,
‘Mid scenes oft traced in dreaming.
Where golden sands with golden fruit
..And golden grain are teeming.
But ne’er a spot, though seeming fair,
On mountain, shore, or lea,
In keeping has such memories as
the halls of U.S.C.
We dwell ‘neath ever sunny skies,
‘Mid flowers ever springing,
Where pleasing verdure never dies,
And birds are always singing.
‘Mid whispers of eternal seas,
That ever shall endure–
Oh, U.S.C., our love for thee
Unchanging is and sure.
Oh, dear old school, thy classrooms are
To us new worlds revealing;
Thy rallying times have sent new life
Into our being stealing;
Thy ties have bound us each to each,
And brightened all our days,
And life means more, a boundless store,
Since we have trod thy ways.
And when the restless, hopeful years
To other scenes shall woo us,
And joys and struggles of these days
Are but a memory to us,
Amid life’s disappointing cares
Our hearts will turn to thee
And for thy sake, fresh courage take,
Our own dear U.S.C.
