Spirit of Aggieland

The Spirit of Aggieland is the alma mater of the Texas A&M University. It was originally written as a poem by Marvin H. Mimms while he was a student at Texas A&M. [ [http://yell.tamu.edu/?page_id=7#songs Texas A&M Songs] ] Richard J. Dunn, the director of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band at the time, composed the music. Students, faculty, and former students of the A&M sing the song at Aggie sporting events, Muster, and other events.

The song was also used as a wakeup call on Day 10 of space mission STS-124 for Texas A&M alumnus and mission specialist Mike Fossum.

Lyrics

Some may boast of prowess bold Of the school they think so grand But there's a spirit can ne'er be told It's the Spirit of Aggieland.

(Chorus) We are the Aggies - the Aggies are we True to each other as Aggies can be We've got to FIGHT boys We've got to fight! We've got to fight for Maroon and White After they've boosted all the rest They will come and join the best For we are the Aggies - the Aggies are we We're from Texas A.M.C.

Hump It Ags(Yell sequence that follows; traditionally deleted at Muster) T-E-X-A-S A-G-G-I-E Fight! Fight! Fight-fight-fight! Fight! Maroon! White-White-White! A-G-G-I-E Texas! Texas! A-M-C! Gig 'em, Aggies, 1-2-3 Farmers fight! Farmers fight! Fight! Fight! Farmers, farmers fight! A! Whoop!

Lyrical Change

The official lyrics for the last two lines of the chorus are "For we are the Aggies - the Aggies so true; We're from Texas A.M.U." These changes were made following the school's name change in 1963 from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (Texas A.M.C.) to Texas A&M University. Though the revised lyrics are used in official performances by choral groups on campus, the student body as a whole generally sings the original, traditional lyrics.

Additional Meaning

The Spirit of Aggieland also refers to the "spirit can ne'er be told." Many people describe Texas A&M University as having a unique school spirit that "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. And from the inside looking out, you can't explain it." It has perhaps best been stated by a former Vice Student Body President of the University of Texas at Austin when discussing the loss of life in the 1999 Texas A&M Bonfire collapse: [cite web|url=http://www.msc.tamu.edu/traditions/bonfire/1999/programs/|title=Bonfire Memorial Service|publisher=Texas A&M University|accessdate=2007-06-06]

ee also

*Traditions of Texas A&M University
*Texas A&M University

References