The School Song

Ina Cooper wrote an article for our school paper (The Blackcat) about the school song, back in 1959 or so. The article wouldn't scan, but Ina was kind enough to type it for us, and here it is:

Have you ever wondered when and by whom our School Song was written? “The Crimson and the Black” has been our song since 1915. It has three verses, though we only sing the first and last. Wilford Oliphant, a senior student in MHS, with the assistance of his classmate, Beatrice Anderson, and a German teacher, Miss Stolfus, wrote the words to the song. Miss Anderson, now Mrs. W. F. Malone, resides in Houston.

It seems that Miss Stolful had some music which someone had given her. She didn’t know who had composed it, but she knew it was an original composition. The three of them got together and did the final “putting together” of the words and music.

"The Crimson and the Black” was introduced on the Thanksgiving assembly in the year 1915. Originally the song was sung and played much faster than it is today.

For those of you who are not familiar with the three verses of "The Crimson and the Black,” here is a copy of them for you.

In the grand old State of Texas
Beneath fair Southern skies,
You’ll find some lads and lassies
In whom love and honor lies.
We are gay and free and happy
Nor courage do we lack,
For we’re the true defenders
Of the Crimson and the Black.

In our school you’ll always find us.
Foremost in work and play,
In our studies we’re no lacking,
In our sports we gain the day.
Let it be in field or football,
In basketball or track,
We’ll bring honor to Mexia
And the Crimson and the Black.

When our school days have passed o’er us,
And we leave Mexia High,
Still in love with Alma Mater,
We’ll laud her to the sky.
Although we may all be parted,
Fond memories will turn back.
To the friends and gay companions
Of the Crimson and the Black.