"Far Above Cayuga Waters"

"Far Above Cayuga Waters"
Cornell's College Anthem
sang by Johnny Mathis

By Peter Y. Chou
WisdomPortal.com

Preface: I attended Cornell University (1963-1970) where I received my doctorate with Professor Harold A. Scheraga in research on macromolecules and protein structure. I also met my first spiritual mentor Anthony Damiani who taught me perennial philosophy and the wisdom of sages. Ithaca was my incubation for intellectual & spiritual growth. "Far Above Cayuga's Waters" is Cornell University's alma mater. The lyrics were written circa 1870 by roommates Archibald Croswell Weeks (Class of 1872), and Wilmot Moses Smith (Class of 1874), and set to the tune of "Annie Lisle", a popular 1857 ballad by H.S. Thompson about a heroine dying of tuberculosis.

Verse one:
Far above Cayuga's waters,
With its waves of blue,
Stands our noble Alma Mater,
Glorious to view.

Refrain:
Lift the chorus, speed it onward,
Loud her praises tell;
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater!
Hail, all hail, Cornell!

Verse two:
Far above the busy humming
Of the bustling town,
Reared against the arch of heaven,
Looks she proudly down.