by John Gaskin (c. 1955)
John Gaskin writes:
The precise origins and authorship of the School Song (see Newsletter 4) were never known to more than a tiny handful of people: F C Lay and Jimmy Soulsby are long since dead, and it would be a pity for the knowledge to perish unrecorded with me.
I don’t remember what put it into my mind, but when Len Tombs and I jointly embarked on the production of “The Forum Presents” for May 1955, the thought occurred to me that we had no unique school song – “O quanta Qualia” was more or less functioning as one, but it was not OURS.
At that time (and until his death) I had been much befriended by the lately retired Jimmy Soulsby (Solar) who seemed to me then, and still seems to me fifty years later, one of the wisest and most understanding human beings I have ever known. He was also a talented musician and versifier.
I asked him to help with a song. He did. The music and established words are his. I was merely responsible for some of the verses sung at its first performance at the end of The Forum Presents on 4th May 1955.
Solar also wrote the finely worded review of the whole show for the July edition of the School Magazine. His diffident but prescient mention of the Song is worth recalling.
“The verses were too light and topical to wear well, but the chorus was compact and deftly woven with all the essential elements, faults and virtues alike, of a successful rallying slogan. Nobody can tell beforehand whether such a thing will catch on. They may or may not have found a new School Song; they have, beyond doubt, given expression to the urgent need for one.”
Lyrics of the School Song
The school motto “Labor Vincit Omnia” (’tis work that conquers all) was carved above the prefects’ door, and became the basis for the school song that every boy knew by heart:
In tranquil days of long ago
Under good Victoria’s rule
Their faith in Oxford’s youth to show
Our grandsires built a school.
“Labor Vincit Omnia”
Tis work that conquers all.
This gem of ancient Roman lore
Was carved above the prefects’ door.
“Nemo Repente Sapit”, too,
Was there beside it in full view,
Reminding those of slower pace
That perseverance wins the race.
Labor Vincit Omnia
Labor Vincit Omnia
Ed. For alternative songs see this reminiscence and this one