This page was added to the site on 8 July 2007 when I wrote If anyone has the words
of the School Song written down on some yellowing exercise book or
concert programme Id be most grateful if you would allow it to be published here. Does anyone know
who wrote it?
On 13 July 2007, John Cook (F.G.S. 1948-1952) sent me the words from memory
- See left column below. Amazing!
Thank you very much John.
Then just one month later Tim Feest sent the words he had copied from a Speech Day programme from
1955. Tim says the words were by E.C. Cumberbatch M.A. and music by T. Hopkin Evans, Doctor of
Music. The reduced number of choruses presumably indicates an abbreviated version was inflicted on
the visiting dignitaries. Thank you Tim.
The origins became a little clearer when some Speech Day programmes from Aldershot County High
School arrived. They show that their school song was also by Cumberbatch and Hopkin. The
origin was finally confirmed when Michael Websell submitted a copy of the booklet written for F.G.S.s
21st anniversary.
On page 7 the origins are revealed in full.
Pupils with a desire to relive the sounds of their youth and sing the song may wish to look at
the sheet music kindly supplied by Russell Harvey (F.G.S. 1958-1966)
Give me this land of Wessex a land as old as time of ling and broom and rolling down of forest old as English crown give this for land as mine (CHORUS) aedes Oh filii adeste Alumni all sing heartily Stet firma nostra cedes Through fair or foul through fair or foul Through weal or woe If loyalty to school we show Haec stabit semper aedes In this good land of Wessex secure at night we sleep for off Spithead our warships go and in our camps the bugles blow good watch and ward they keep (CHORUS) When schooldays past we must away to face lifes sterner rule tis ours to prove that chivalry true fellowship and modesty grew up within our school (CHORUS) |
Give me this land of Wessex, A land of fir and pine, Of ling and broom and rolling down, Of forest old as English crown, Give me this land for mine. (CHORUS) O filii adeste, Alumni, all sing heartily, Stet firma nostra sedes, Through fair or foul, through weal or woe, If loyalty to school we show, Haec stabit semper sedes Haec stabit semper sedes When, school days past, we must away To face life’s sterner rule At home, abroad, on land or main, Whate’er betide, for all maintain The honour of our school. |