"Stand, Columbia" is the official alma mater of

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. It was written in Gilbert Oakley Ward for the university's 1902 Class Day ceremonies, and is sung to the tune of Joseph Haydn's "

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", which served as the melody for the

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until 1938, and was adopted as the

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in 1922. The hymn is traditionally played at the university's

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and commencements. Another song, "Sans Souci", serves as the alma mater of Columbia College. Composed by alumnus Percy Fridenburg around 1888 while studying medicine in Germany, the tune is based on a German drinking song—the first two stanzas are translations from the original German song, while the third is Fridenburg's own addition. During the first half of the 20th century, it was more popular among students than "Alma Mater", and served as the unofficial alma mater of the entire university. It was officially adopted by Columbia College in 1949. The use of the Austrian Hymn as the tune for "Stand, Columbia", has often been a point of curiosity. Czech historian Leo M. Mladen once facetiously suggested that the

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should set up a system to copyright national anthems, so that Austria to prevent both Germany and Columbia for using its traditional anthem. Following

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, the fact that "Stand, Columbia" should share the same tune as the German anthem has been described as "disturbing". The song was also criticized by ''The Bookman'' for its tune, due to its more popular association with both the

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and the English hymn, " Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken"; however, the journal did concede that "Columbia was fortunate enough to get some very spirited words" in its alma mater. "Sans Souci", on the other hand, was described as the "one song which really belongs to olumbia" its tune being previously relatively unknown. A 1918 march titled "Columbia" by Edwin Franko Goldman was based on "Stand, Columbia".

Lyrics

The original lyrics to "Stand, Columbia" are as follows: Today usually only the first and third verses are sung.

References

{{Ivy League alma mater navbox Culture of Columbia University American college songs Alma mater songs 1902 songs