Wisdom of the Past: "Beta's Emblems" from the 1872 Songbook

[DoctorThursday]

Beta's Emblems
Air:- Sparkling and bright

1. On Beta's night every heart is light,
Banished is care and sorrow,
We'll hear no sigh till the morn's gray eye,
Fresh toil for itself doth borrow.

CHORUS. Then lift the song, let it loud and long
Rise to Beta ever glorious;
Stainless and bright is her shield of light,
Her motto is, "Aye victorious."

2. Trusting we stand, heart to heart, hand to hand,
With the banner of truth waving o'er us,
To mutual need we give mutual heed,
And our pledge is e'er before us.
CHORUS.

3. Deep reflection's ray is our perfect day.
It illumines the path of sorrow;
The same from light will reveal new might,
When care upon care doth follow.
CHORUS.

4. Firm is our trust, and keep it we must,
For time Beta's bonds only strengthens,
Let treason turn pale when this faith shall fail,
And brother firm brother e'er threatens.
CHORUS.

5. Then strong we are in our mystic three,
Whose emblems stand before us.
For God and the Right we shout to-night,
Let each Beta join the chorus.
CHORUS.

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I post this in anticipation of tomorrow evening, for which I hope to have something even more instructive. It is one of my favorites from the 1872 songbook; alas it's been a LONG time since I've heard this sung at convention. As is true of most of these ancient songs, the words deserve careful study, and will repay the time you invest. These songs provided the powerful impetus to our work in our past, and will do so again.

Notes:

1. "Beta's night" - the night of initiation, or anniversary, or chapter meeting. At this time, there were no chapter houses; certainly Betas saw each other in class, but dorm or off-campus life meant social contacts were all too often foregone due to homework, so "Beta's night" was most special.

2. "aye" = "ever". Recall Knox's esto perpetua = (Latin) may it last forever! Cf. Alpha's chapter motto.

3. "banner" used in a symbolic sense; our first flag (with rose) was not devised until 1889.

4. "pledge" - in this context, the Obligation of membership.

5. "Right" - not as a political term, but figuratively, the things which are right, hence "the Good"

A further comment: as I re-read the three purposes in point 1 above, I noted how they might indicate the Beta life: the anniversary which looks to the past, the chapter meeting which deals with the present, and the initiation, which welcomes the new members and so looks to the future.