A vibrant voice thrilled through the air, Now here, now there, seemed everywhere; My young thoughts stirred, laid away in a shroud, And joyfully rose and walked abroad. It was long ago in my youth and pride, When my young thoughts lived and my young thoughts died, And often and over all unafraid They wander and wander like ghosts unlaid. Through calm and storm for many a year, I faithfully called my children dear, And honest and urgent have been my tones To hurry the laggard and hasten the drones, But earnest and early or lazy and late They toiled up the hill and entered the gate, Across the campus they rushed pell-mell At the call of the old University bell. If danger menaced on land or sea, The note of warning loud and free; Or a joyous peal in the twilight dim Of the New Year's dawn, after New Year's hymn. If a ship in the bay floated out ablaze, Or the fog-wreaths blinded the mariner's gaze, Safe into port they steered them well, Cheered by the old University bell. When Lincoln the leader was stricken low, O! a darker day may we never know, A bitter wail from my heart was wrung To float away from my iron tongue, On storm-wing cast it traveled fast, Above me writhed the flag half-mast. My children wept, their fathers frowned, With clenched hands looked down to the ground, For the saddest note that ever fell From the throat of the old University bell. But deep was the joy and wild was the clamor, With leaping hot haste they hurried the hammer, When the battles were fought and the war was all over, O'er the North and the South did the peace angels hover; My children sang sweetly and softly and low "The Union forever, is safe now we know," The years they may come and the years they may go, And hearts that were loyal will ever be so. There's a long roll-call, I ring over all That have harkened and answered in the old hall; Adams and Andrews, (from A unto Z, Alphabetic arrangement as any can see), Bonney and Bagley and Mercer and Hays, Francis and Denny in bygone days, Hastings and Ebey, the Oregon Strongs, And many another whose name belongs To fame and the world, or has passed away To realms that are bright with endless day. The presidents ruled with a right good will, Mercer and Barnard, Whitworth and Hill, Anderson, Powell, Gatch and Hall, Harrington now and I've named them all. Witten and Thayer, Hansee and Lee, The wise professors were fair to see, They strictly commanded, did study compel At the call of the old University bell.