I think I’ve known at least the last line of this song my entire life. Of course we sang it in college on many occasions, but most memorably after every football game. Whether or not the team wins, the players and team staff gather at the base of the student section of the stadium. Everyone – team, fans, and students – locks arms, swaying side to side as the Marching Band plays the tune and everyone else sings.
Notre Dame, our Mother
Tender, strong and true
Proudly in the heavens,
Gleams the gold and blue.
Glory’s mantle cloaks thee
Golden is thy fame
And our hearts forever
Praise thee, Notre Dame.
And our hearts forever,
Love thee, Notre Dame.
Except most people don’t really know the lyrics to the whole song, which is why “love thee, Notre Dame” is the loudest and best part of all. (See here at :32)
At Lisa’s funeral, my fellow alumnae and I locked arms beside her grave and sang. We were awful – half crying, hoarse, sort of laughing, and very much out of tune. That was perfect though, because that’s how she always sang it.
I’m glad we did that. But I’ll never be able to sing it all of the way through again….Love you!
My bedtime prayer and song for all five of my children during the years they were with me: Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy/ and the Alma Mater. None of them attended!