Songs of UAlbany
Alma Mater:
(Click here to see Serendipity sing our Alma Mater)
Our Alma Mater, “College of the Empire State”, was written by Mrs. Hubbard a “non-graduate” who received a prize of $25.00 for her winning entry.
College of the Empire State,
Mother of an army great,
Thou the molder of our fate,
Thee we sing today.
Thine the hand with clasp so strong,
Holding tho' the years be long,
Thou the burden of our song,
Thee we sing today.
Ways of pleasantness are thine,
Leading where in wisdom's shrine,
Joy and cheer, and hope divine,
Ever dwell for aye.
Thine the voice whose call we hear,
Thine the hand which holds us near,
Thine the heart, so true, so dear,
Cherished, loved alway.
Wisdom's duty heeds thy call,
Ever in Minerva's thrall,
Pass the torch from one to all,
Guide each destiny.
`Neath the Purple and the Gold,
Let thy history unfold,
Sons and daughters, young and old,
Hail to Albany.
Fight Song:
(Click here to hear the Earth Tones sing our Fight Song)
(Click here to hear the Pep Band play our Fight Song)
UAlbany’s Fight Song, "Purple and Gold", was unveiled in the spring of 2000, the same academic year that UAlbany made the move to Division I athletics. The University’s President at the time had asked the Chamber Singers to perform at a function celebrating the schools entrance to Division I by singing the fight songs of neighboring schools. After singing through a few of the fight songs from neighboring universities, the Chamber Singers presented “Purple and Gold” as a surprise to all present.
The composers/writers of the song give credit to the director of the University Chamber Singers, David Griggs-Janower, for coming up with the idea of presenting an original fight song the university community. Griggs-Janower asked if anyone would be interested in composing a fight song and both John Regan and Jonathan Hansen, members of the Chamber Singers went right to work. John came up with the tune, while both “brainstormed imagery evocative of victory as well as UAlbany tradition”.
Purple and Gold,
your colors shining through
Hear as the carillons
are ringing true
The State of New York
sends up its cheers to you
Let’s go Albany!
Hail, young and old
We shall prevail,
purple and gold
One true triumphant call
Albany Danes are standing tall
Purple and Gold,
our flags are waving high
Singing our victory song
into the sky
All of the world will fear
our mighty cry
Let’s go Albany!
Hail, young and old
We shall prevail,
purple and gold
One true triumphant call
Albany Danes are standing tall
Purple and gold,
your colors shining through
Hear as the carillons
are ringing true
The State of New York
sends up its cheer to you
Let’s go Albany!
