"Hark the Sound" | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Alma Mater

A year ago, a terrible incident occurred on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC, on August 28, 2023. Dr. Zijie Yan, a 34 year old associate professor in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences at UNC, was killed by Tailei Qi, a 35-36 year old graduate student of Yan, in Caudill Labs, located inside the campus. To commemorate one year after this unfortunate incident, here is the alma mater of the University of North Carolina.

The alma mater, known as "Hark the Sound", was written in 1897, by UNC student and glee club member, William Starr Myers, class of 1897, to the melody of the 1857 ballad - "Anne Lisle" by H.S. Thompson. It first debuted at a university graduation event on June 2nd, that same year. The song was not sung again until 1904, during the University Day celebration. The newspaper, the Tar Heel, reported that the song was "never sung so well before" and it became stuck with the university's traditions ever since.

The lyrics did go through some changes. In fact, the first line was a bit different compared to today's version, especially before 1904, and a line in the second verse changed in 2006. (Of course, I'll make more versions once I have the time to make them.)

There are a few traditions with this song. Since the 1980s, it was common to yell "N-C-U!" after the abbreviation in the last line of the verses. (Note: the university often was called "North Carolina University", hence the abbreviation) In the 90s, the students would stomp their feet after the second line of the chorus ("Clear its radiance shine") in time to the drumroll. A more recent tradition added was students yelling "priceless gem" instead of singing it in the chorus - a tradition started by students and young alumni back in the 2000s.

The school usually plays the first verse followed by the chorus. However, there is a tag at the end of the chorus, which is "I'm a Tar Heel Born". It was written in the late 1800s or early 1900s as a tag for the alma mater. However, due to its popularity and its "pep-iness", the band would usually play this alone, without playing the alma mater. The tag is also still played during more formal events, like convocation or commencement. The last line, though, has been through many varieties, like "Go to hell State!", "Go to hell Duke!", "Clemson sucks!", "Go to hell Florida!", among others. But for the sake of this video, I'm keeping it to the original "Rah! Rah! Rah!" and letting the fans decide for yourselves.

And with that, hope you enjoy.

"Lux libertas"

~

LYRICS

Verse 1:
Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices
Ringing clear and True
Singing Carolina's praises
Shouting N.C.U. (N! C! U!)

Chorus:
Hail to the brightest Star of all
Clear its radiance shine
Carolina priceless gem,
Receives all praises thine.

'Neath the oaks thy sons and daughters
Homage pay to thee
Time worn walls give back their echo
Hail to U.N.C.

(chorus)

Though the storms of life assail us
Still our hearts beat true
Naught can break the friendships formed at
Dear old N.C.U.

(chorus)

TAG (I'm a Tar Heel Born):
I'm a Tar Heel born, I'm a Tar Heel bred.
And when I die, I'm a Tar Heel dead.
So it's rah-rah, Car'lina-'lina!
Rah-rah, Car'lina-'lina!
Rah-rah, Car'lina!
Rah! Rah! Rah!

~

"Light and liberty"

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