Throughout the 118-year history of Notre Dame Academy, students have praised its academics, sports and student life activities through a variety of school songs. Even though you find a variety of tempos in each song, from slow and majestic to a spirited cheer, the words of each song leave no doubt of the depth of affection and loyalty each student has held deep in her heart for her alma mater.
Students were introduced to the first school song in December of 1930. The song, entitled “N.D. Loyalty”, was composed by a faculty member of the Notre Dame School of Music and was first performed by the school orchestra under the direction of Garner Reyburn Rowell. Described as receiving a standing ovation by the student body for its premier performance, an article in The Gavel states, “Perhaps the best test of the song’s worth is the gusto with which the student body sings the chorus. It will certainly become a permanent tradition sung throughout the halls of Notre Dame.” (December, 1930)
N.D. Loyalty
“We, the girls of Notre Dame, would her honor now proclaim,
For the truth which she has taught, in every word and thought.
Our loyalty will show, wherever we may go –
And may the years prolong, the spirit of our song.
Chorus: O Alma Mater hear our praise to thee,
We sing your glory and laud your victory!
O Alma Mater, Hail to thy great name!
And may we add more fame,
To dear old Notre Dame.
Through our years at Notre Dame may we reach her lofty aim,
With a purpose strong and true in all we have to do.
Our obedience stands the teat in fulfilling life’s behest;
And may it ever be, our proof of loyalty.”
By the late 1930s, weighed down by the devastating effects of the Great Depression, many of the Academy’s school events were cancelled or minimized and the school song was no longer used on a regular basis, and eventually faded into the annals of history.
By the 1940s, several changes had occurred which permanently changed the makeup of the student body at Notre Dame Academy. In 1934, the Commercial Division of the High School was discontinued due to a lack of enrollment and in 1937, the grade school was closed, and all elementary students were relocated to Mother of God grade school. Thus, the building on 5th Street became strictly an all-girls high school and a new spirit of identity began to grow. At the fall Honor Day celebration, students at Notre Dame Academy were introduced to what as announced as “our first school song.” Entitled “The Heart of Notre Dame”, the song was written by an NDA faculty member and found favor with the student body. When questioned as to why they liked the song, students often replied that they liked the music (because it was very moving) and the lyrics (because they sounded almost patriotic), but most thought that having a song written just for their own school made it “tops!” (The Gavel, November 1944)
Heart of Notre Dame
“Our hands are joined in friendship, with ne’er a foe to name.
While we are marching onward, in the clasp of Notre Dame,
Our loyalty we’ll prove true, neath glorious Gold and Blue!
Though time may bring us fortune, or time may bring us fame,
Still we shall live forever, in the heart of Notre Dame.”
With the growth and popularity of the athletic program at NDA during the late 1940s, it seemed almost imperative to add a cheer/chant song into the repertoire of the student body. The earliest rendition of a school cheer song was entitled
N-O-T-R-E D-A-M-E
N-O-T-R-E D-A-M-E
Our Notre Dame, we sing to thee
Our Alma Mater, give her three times three,
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Long may we cherish her, faithful we’ll be
Our Notre Dame, for you and me!
In October or 1954, several seniors decided to revise the cheer song. As they motored along on their senior trip to the state capital, they suggested the new format to one of the chaperones, Sr. Mary St. Clair. She quickly put their ideas into musical format and at the first quarterly honors assembly on November 10th, members of the senior class led the entire student body in their new cheer song. The result was the fast-moving cheer “NDA, We Honor Thee”.
NDA, We Honor Thee
“NDA, we honor thee!
With our voices, our hearts, our songs.
NDA, we sing to thee!
In a melody clear and strong.
NDA, we’re all for thee!
Through the years as they roll along.
Alma Mater, glory today, forever! NDA!”
During the late 1960s, with the move to the Hilton campus completed, Sr. Mary Josette decided that the Academy was in need of a more thoughtful and formal school song. Working in conjunction with musician Michael K Runyan, she penned a new school song simply entitled “The Notre Dame Academy School,” to be used at more formal gatherings throughout the school years.
The Notre Dame Academy School Song
“Together we fashion the spirit, together we carve out the fame,
together we sing your praises and work to honor your name.
Chorus:
Notre Dame, our alma mater,
We pledge our loyalty to you.
In a melody that echoes
Through the years to hallow you.
You have braved the changing decades, now you show the time-tried way
We must walk to learn the value of the goals we see today.”
During the 1970s, Notre Dame Academy used both songs: The Notre Dame Academy School Song for formal events and the NDA, We Honor Thee for pep rallies and athletic competitions. But by the 1980s, NDA, We Honor Thee become the song and cheer of choice for almost all events. At more solemn events, such as the sophomore ring ceremony and honor assemblies, the song was sung at a slower and more dignified tempo. For athletic events and pep rallies, the tempo was increased, and the song was sung more as a cheer. The faster tempo of the song is currently used today at all pep rallies, games and school assemblies.
Finally, although never sanctioned as an official school song, many alumnae from the 1930s through the 1970s could claim that another song, Mother Beloved, should have been given the title of school song. Each year, as juniors and seniors gathered together at prom, the statue of the Virgin Mary from the school entranceway, was placed in a position of honor so that all attendees could easily bow and say a prayer of honor and thanks.
After the recognition of the prom princess and her escort, the orchestra would begin the melody to Mother Beloved as the entire prom court would gather around Mary’s statue and crown her “queen of the prom.” Afterwards, all of the students and their dates would join together in song, giving praise and tribute to Our Lady.
Mother Beloved
Join your hands, loyal bands,
While we pledge one another
Unity and fealty
To our Queen and Mother.
One our faith, one our love,
One our leader and Lord.
One our aim, one hope above,
One united accord.
Refrain: Mother Beloved of God and of man,
Here at your feet, we faithfully meet,
Comrades of Mary, redeemed by your Son,
Keep us, who love you,
In all things one.
Torn in heart, flung apart
Is the world that denies you.
Enmity and rivalry
Fill the souls that despise you.
We who kneel, o’er us feel
The sweet warmth of your smile.
Grant us courage, hearts of steel
Facing triumph or trial.