Congratulations to Juliana Horton for her winning entry to the Bridgewater Alma Mater lyrics contest!
Alma Mater Lyrics— Bridgewater State University
Words by Juliana Horton
Our love of community guides us in purpose and thought, well aware, the courage to lead and inspire, the hallmark of ev’ry Bear.
Refrain:
Alma Mater! Alma Mater! Rising to what lies before. Alma Mater, keep Bridgewater close to heart forever more!
Wherever the road takes us onward, a time will arise, now and then, with ever a sense of belonging, we’ll come home to you — again.
Refrain
For legions of those you have tended, your history vital and strong, for then and today and tomorrow, we join in our loyal song.
Refrain
View Bridgewater's Alma Mater Song
Listen to the MelodyWe have included an mp3 recording of the alma mater melody. (Click button to play audio.)
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Thank you to all the participants below who submitted lyrics for consideration. The committee was impressed with the talent in our community! Please view lyric submissions:
James W. Beaudry, '58. Ed.D.
Our alma mater: we thank you
For all of those glorious days.
Though years may have passed
Since we left you
We look back with love and with praise.
Days of learning, days of gladness,
Times that in our hearts we know,
Alma mater, alma mater,
All of this to you we owe.
Lisa Krissoff Boehm, Ph.D.
Bridgewater State is our center,
The place where we learn and we grow.
In spring the paths brighten with flowers,
In winter they sparkle with snow.
CHORUS:
To minister,
To minister,
Not to be ministered onto.
Horace Mann inspired us and to our civic work we’re always true.
Bridgewater State is our center,
The sun always shines on the quad.
We stand ever ready for service,
Whether we’re home or abroad.
In fall we don sweaters and study,
In spring we earn all our degrees.
Over time we become good alumni,
We return to evoke memories.
Bridgewater State is our touchstone,
We’ve enjoyed her meadows and trees,
On this campus each student’s supported,
While pursuing their livelong journeys.
Linda Coco
Bears are strong and bears are proud
Of the many skills they learn.
Once out from the education cave
They share with the big, wide, world!
In the cave, they practice many
Hibernation gives them time
Once out from the education cave
They share with the big, wide, world!
Cathleen DeSimone
Dear Alma Mater, we sing of thee!
Always will your legacy live
Across this nation and far beyond
In everything we do and give.
My Bridgewater! Your Bridgewater!
Always minister and shine
My Bridgewater! Your Bridgewater!
May she wheel the spheres for all time!
With deep delight our hearts long recall
Old friends, good times, beauty abound
All embraced in your teaching and love
Lessons forever deep and profound.
My Bridgewater! Your Bridgewater!
Always minister and shine
My Bridgewater! Your Bridgewater!
She wheels the spheres for all time!
Kevin Duquette, Ph.D.
From Boyden’s walls and Tilly Hall (:05-09)
To ole Plymouth community (:10-:13)
One voice we raise in song and praise (:14-:18)
For excellence and integrity (:19-:23)
Oh Bridgewater, Oh Bridgewater (:24-:28)
May our path always be true (:29-:32)
From our hearts we minister (:33-:37)
Not to be ministered unto (:38-:42)
Verse 2
For the commonwealth and the common good (:05-09)
A beacon to all we will be (:10-:13)
All voices heard to spread the word (:14-:18)
Our strength in our diversity (:19-:23)
Oh Bridgewater, Oh Bridgewater (:24-:28)
Your wisdom always by our side (:29-:32)
With service we shall honor you (:33-:37)
Remain within our hearts and minds (:38-:42)
James Edwards
A song of praise for our Alma Mater
We honor those who paved our way
We prideful Bears of Bridgewater
The winning team that sets the stage
We realize our long-held dreams and personal goals defined
Its engagement and inclusion with best traditions that we combine
In the halls where we all come together
We are standing hand in hand
As we honor the ancient nation
Wampanoag's sacred land
We are they and sons and daughters, students, teachers, and the staff
Our mission is inspiration bridging future with the past*
* Optional refrain
Paul Ferreira, '71
Horace Mann laid the plans in 1840,
The beacon light helped to guide the way.
The torch was passed to Tillinghast,
a renowned educator in his day.
Hail Bridgewater ! Hail Bridgewater!
We will lead and not be led!
Boyden Hall to Great Hill tall
your spirit dwells within us yet.
Sean Fitzgerald, '21
Established in eighteen forty
With a mission to educate,
You're flourishing now in your heyday,
I sing to you, Bridgewater State!
Alma mater,
You are special;
The traits that you possess are rare.
I can say with-
Out a doubt that
I am proud to be a bear!
I'll always in my mind remember
The beauty of old Boyden Hall,
And how campus looks like a painting
When the leaves start to change in Fall.
Alma mater,
You are special;
The traits that you possess are rare.
I can say with-
Out a doubt that
I am proud to be a bear!
You gave me a passion for learning,
You bettered my character, too.
I'm well-prepared to change the world,
And it's all thanks to B.S.U!
Alma mater,
You are special;
The traits that you possess are rare.
I can say with-
Out a doubt that
I am proud to be a bear
Frankie Fredericks
In 1804 these Bears started walkin'
After getting together,
these bears started talkin'.
Couple hundred years later,
we still aren't stoppin'!
Go, Go, Go! Bears go!
Big bears, little bears,
What do you need?
How 'bout the best place to learn,
and the best place to read.
Come on in!
Here we don't impede
and when we all head out,
we're all ready to lead!
Go, Go, Go! Bears go!
Nicholas M. Herd & Colin J. Lamusta
Verse:
For one and for all Bridgewater
Black and Red is your paw
Fairness, Equity, and Justice
A hundred years and more you’ve stood tall
Through the ashes, Came our triumphs
Forging futures here to day
Refrain:
Started our story in 1840
Together we will lead the way
Verse:
A school of many faces
From all walks of life we do come
Here we craft the leaders
Shaping the world that will come
Place where I’ve made friends forever,
Our home and here we are to stay
Refrain:
Started our story in 1840
Together we will lead the way
Adam Isbitsky, '10
Verses (2):
We work hard for our education;
we rise to the challenge at hand;
from southeastern Massachusetts
our name known across all the land.
We strive for a better tomorrow;
progressing, we are on the move.
With deeper and richer knowledge
the course of the world we improve.
Refrains (first is my preferred refrain, plus two alternate refrains also for consideration):
Alma Mater, our Bridgewater,
thank you for these golden days.
May we share all that we learn and
bear you in our hearts always!
True to you we are, Bridgewater,
thank you for these golden days.
May we share all that we learn here
and remember you always!
So Bridgewater here we came
not to be ministered unto,
but to minister by sharing
all that we have learned from you.
Mike Leavey
Among the green trees of Massachusetts
Lies a school that is beyond compare
A place where hearts and minds can grow
And exceed all the dreams that we dare
Chorus
Bridgewater State University the place where we found our home
We’ll carry those lessons within our souls wherever we should roam
Verse 2
Well we may be lofty of humble
And we all have a different history
But we are brought together by our respect and love of
Bridgewater State University
David O'Malley, Ph.D. and Composing Team
We stand for the rights of all people
We share in our work for the good
To teach and to learn through service
May our mission be renewed
Oh Bridgewater, alma mater, may our actions honor you
Dear Bridgewater guide our living, may our love for you be true
We strive toward a future with justice
We live in the present with hope
Bridgewater your wisdom guides us
Give visions to us anew
Oh Bridgewater, alma mater, may our actions honor you
Dear Bridgewater guide our living, may our love for you be true
Lori Poh
Inspiration comes from being free; to examine all the possibilities.
We strive to teach individuality.
BSU gives you roots and wings.
Every day we plant the knowledge seeds. To find out what we can truly
be. A real sense of community.
BSU gives you roots and wings.
Four years fly by and we are standing strong. Ready to take the whole world on.
Excited to step in to the great beyond!
BSU gives you roots and wings.
Alex Show
The sound of the heart roars loudly
The bears in the night don’t sleep
If I could take my time here
I’d wear my red with pride
Come together Bears forever
I forever fall with you
Be the change you wish to see
For I’m a bear through and through
Susan Thevenin
To walk down the steps and open your eyes And look over all you can see, It’s a view that is unbelievable, To know it’s a big part of me.
Alma Mater, Alma Mater
Making friends and having fun,
Alma Mater, Alma Mater,
Smiling when your work is done.
We study and try to learn all that we can, And cherish the teacher’s help indeed, To use all that is available, And assist all who are in need.
Alma Mater, Alma Mater
Enjoying all the sports teams here,
Alma Mater, Alma Mater!
BRISTACO our mascot is near!!
Michelle Tira
We've come from far
We've come from near
All gathered together with one goal
Make it through the learning years
Come what May
Bravely we reach
Across the dividing lines
To embrace one another
As we wave from isolation
Thrive Bridgewater
Soar BSU
Over the unknown & fear
over the mayhem of pandemic tear
Rising as one heartbeat
One brave Bear
To uplift one another
In perilous time
Forever united
Under the universal banner of humanity
Fearless - Apart never to tear
Thrive Bridgewater
Soar BSU
Over the unknown & fear
over the mayhem of pandemic tear
Rising as one heartbeat
One brave Bear...
Michael J. Viera, Ph.D.
Note: The last line of the verses is sung note by note or staccato.
O Bridgewater State, Alma Mater
To you let us all sing our praise.
For you asked us not to be served,
But to serve others every day.
Alma Mater! Alma Mater!
Towering above the quad
In the Bay State -- in the whole world
We will make Bridgewater proud.
From teachers to leaders in all fields,
From small school to university,
Bridgewater has grown, but remains
A welcoming community.
Alma…
Diverse, yet the same, Alma Mater
From near and from far, we are one
O Bridgewater State, we hail you
And pass the flame of knowledge on.
John Winters G'11
You shine a light in the darkness
Lead to our destiny
You always stand behind us,
As we minister to all in need
Refrain:
Oh, Bridgewater, oh, Bridgewater
Shining like a beacon on high
Oh, Bridgewater, though I wander
My love for you still abides
The dream of a man born long ago
Horace Mann stood tall
He came to town with one goal
To educate one and all
Refrain:
Oh, Bridgewater, oh, Bridgewater
Shining like a beacon on high
Oh, Bridgewater, though I wander
My love for you still abides
From the coast of the cold Atlantic
To the green, green hills out west
From 1840 ’til today
You showed me how to be my best
Refrain:
Oh, Bridgewater, oh, Bridgewater
Shining like a beacon on high
Oh, Bridgewater, though I wander
My love for you still abides
And when I near my final rest
Before the toll of the bell
I will know I gave my all
My Alma Mater taught me well
Refrain:
Oh, Bridgewater, oh, Bridgewater
Shining like a beacon on high
Oh, Bridgewater, though I wander
My love for you still abides
Frequently Asked Questions
In total, the melody only lasts about 40 seconds. The melody is in two short parts:
• A verse made up of 4 lines; …and…
• A refrain made up of 2 lines.
Following each verse, please keep the lyrics of the refrain constant.
About this Contest
Over the past two years, the BSU Spirit Committee has been reviewing our alma mater and soliciting input from different constituencies about possible new directions. We heard that people found the alma mater difficult to sing and that the lyrics felt less relevant to the BSU experience of today.
As a result, we decided to embark on a process for revising our alma mater. We started by reviewing the alma mater melody. After careful consideration of several alternative melodies, which the Spirit Committee conducted with the assistance of Mr. Steven Karidoyanes, music director of the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, it was clear that the existing melody, with minor revisions that would make it easier for everyone to sing, was the way to go.
The Spirit Committee decided that it was time to reconsider the lyrics for the alma mater, which were penned by Zelma Lucas, Class of 1904, and William Lester Bates, Class of 1892. Lovely as they are, these lyrics reflect the mood of the times in which they were written. It is the goal of the Spirit Committee to refresh this important institutional song so it best captures and expresses the aspirations and pride of our BSU community in the 21st century and beyond.
The Spirit Committee decided that rather than commission new lyrics, it preferred a far more inclusive process that engaged our entire BSU community. As a result, the new lyrics will be determined through an Alma Mater Lyrics Contest, open to all members of the BSU community, including students, faculty, staff and alumni. Participants will be asked to write and submit original lyrics for consideration.
We see and feel the pride that we have in this great university and in those who have come before us. An updated alma mater, with lyrics written to reflect the current times and spirit of our beloved BSU, will help engage our entire BSU community and better express the feelings that all generations share.