University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

Page 20 text:

EMI ' CENTENNIAL ODE By Floy Bernice Palmer iNG aloud, ho! — Sing aloud! Let us laugh in the face of the daum; Let us shout with the day coming on — Sing aloud, ho. ' — Sing aloud. ' They builded and sang, and their dreams and their song were one; They builded and sang, defying the near ' sighted hours; They built in the dark, that with dawning, the new day ' s sun Might gild and emblazon with promise the Trojan towers. They have builded all night in a chilling dar . Raising the Trojan towers Where the western s y meets the western sea, And the desert yucca flowers. They have builded a heritage to youth With the dreams they have dreamed so well; With the faith of our fathers, old in truth, They have raised a citadel. They have raised a strong citadel. And they sang as they toiled in the fog ' cold hours of the night; They sang of the joy that could laugh when the dawning came; They sang as they watched for the first pale hands of light That would rend the blinding dark with hammers of flame. Sing aloud, ho! — Sing aloud! Let us echo the challenge of dreams; Let us huild on the heritage of dreams. Sing aloud, ho! — Sing aloud. ' Now, day, be still, in reverence hush your singing; With memory seal the lips of laughter bold. Let triumph yield its place to vespers ringing Their gentle tribute to the faith of old. Now, dawning, kneel with rosary of gold, And, youth, chaunt softly in the morning air; Let aging doubt and worship wrapped in mould Stand shamed before the magnitude of prayer. And from the wind ' swept heavens let there be An echo of faith ' s immortality.