The Phoenix

There are many who deprecate the demise of the Vivat! It was relatively late on the scene however. This song by FW Bordillion was published in the Haileyburian on March 13th 1872 and reprinted in the Haileybury Song Book. It plays on the idea of the school rising from the ashes of the East India College.

The tune is given as "So hurrah for the pipe so rich and ripe." I wonder if anyone knows that song and its tune?

The Phoenix

A Bird there was in days of old,

(Each one the story knows),

Who birth did claim form a nest in flame,

And a dying mother's throes.

And we are like that bird of yore,

And we like her were born;

We drew life-breath form a parent's death,

Left alone but not forlorn.

So here's to all whose deeds have won

For Haileybury glory!

Ours be the aim to uphold their fame,

And prove the Phoenix story. 

We boast no kingly founder's name,
We boast no royal clan,

Of a sterner mould were those of old

Our glory who began.

We train no dainty sons of wealth

To dance with luxury's daughters:

In the torrid zone our name is known,

Where Ganges rolls his waters.  

So here's to all whose deeds have won…

Then let us for our motto each
Our "Sursum Corda" take,

And upward still with a sturdy will

Our path to honour make.

We will not shrink from danger's call,

We will not turn from toil,

Till a nobler fame shall crown our name,

Where'er is British soil, 

So here's to all whose deeds have won…