Songs of the Volunteers
This collection houses entries submitted to the contest to pick the University of Tennessee's Alma Mater held in 1928. Some have been copyrighted with the rights transferred to the Student Activities Council. Officially printed entries include Mary Fleming Meek's winning On a Hallowed Hill, Follow the Gleam by Sallie Hume Douglas, and Dear Old Elm-Clad Hill by J. D. and Leila M. Bond. Handwritten entries and other pieces include two copyright cards from 1928, a typed copy of Mrs. Meek's lyrics, Song of the Volunteer by Victor M. Davis, Aloha Oe with music arranged by Erle Stapleton and lyrics by Dolly Stees, To Tennessee by Frances Johnston (which won honorable mention), Our Champions with music arranged by E. Edwin Crerie and words by R. C. Mathews (sic), Our Tennessee by Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Harkness, The Spirit of the Hill with music arranged by E. Edwin Crerie and words by Sam Gobble, Tennessee is Right with music arranged by E. Edwin Crerie and words by Leon Adler, and Tennessee Sir! which is unattributed. There are also several typed sheets of the planned first U.T. Song Book of 1929.
Dates
- 1928 October-1929
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
1.7 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection houses entries submitted to the contest to pick the University of Tennessee's Alma Mater, including Mary Fleming Meek's winning On a Hallowed Hill. Some have been copyrighted with the rights transferred to the Student Activities Council.
Biographical/Historical Note
Mary Fleming was born to John M. and Anna (Boyd) Fleming in Knoxville, Tennessee on October 22, 1870. She married John Lamar Meek and the couple had one son, John Fleming. Mary Fleming Meek died of cancer in Knoxville on June 9, 1929 and is buried in Old Gray Cemetery.
The University of Tennessee's current Alma Mater was adopted in 1928 after a yearlong contest sponsored by the University's musical organizations. The winning piece was Mary Fleming Meek's On a Hallowed Hill, whose words were taken from the Torch Night and Aloha Oe ceremonies. Mrs. Meek was not herself an alumni, but both her husband, John Lamar Meek, and son attended the University. In addition, her father had been a trustee and her great-grandfather designed Old College, one of the earliest buildings on the Hill.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
This collection was transferred from the classified stacks.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository