Prior to the adoption of the “Alma Mater” in 1928, two songs had been generally regarded as Tennessee’s official song. “Tennessee” was written by Frank M. Darnall in 1905–6 and was sung to the tune of “Wacht Am Rhine.” When the tune was changed to that of “Maryland, My Maryland” during World War I to avoid the tune of a foreign nation, the song fell into relative disuse. Words to the song are
A song burst forth from loyal hearts, / From loyal lips the accent starts; / Come raise your voices in a song, / In concert high your notes prolong.
CHORUS following each verse:
O Tennessee! O Tennessee! / Our hearts will ever turn to thee; / Thy honor, glory, fame abroad we sing, / With gladsome souls we tribute bring.
Our Alma Mater, Tennessee! / Let thy bright star our beacon be. / Oh may thy glories never fade, / Nor harm thy sacred walls invade.
When college songs and college lays / Are faded with their makers’ days, / When Sol’s swift wheels have made us old, / And college life’s a tale that’s told.
Come raise your voices in a song. / Come raise them loud together, / In concert high the notes prolong / Through clear and cloudy weather.
Tennessee, O Tennessee! / Although our steps may never sever, / Our hearts shall surely turn to thee.