Oh, Columbia: A Gift to the Class of 2020

May 20, 2020

Congratulations to the Columbia University Class of 2020!

As a surprise gift to our new members, the alumni community collaborated with Broadway composer Tom Kitt ’96CC (Next to Normal) and star Ben Platt (GS) to present a new song, “Oh, Columbia,” to the University in honor of the Class of 2020. 

You can watch Ben’s video recording of Tom’s song here.

We hope the lyrics accurately reflect all of our feelings about Columbia:

 

OH, COLUMBIA

WORDS AND MUSIC BY TOM KITT

 

I’D DO ANYTHING TO BE BY YOUR SIDE

I’D TRAVEL THE WORLD BOTH FAR AND WIDE

THROUGH GATHERING STORMS AND THE RISING TIDE

COLUMBIA, OH COLUMBIA

 

BUT NOW THE SKIES ARE THE BRIGHTEST BLUE

AND VOICES ECHO DOWN THE AVENUE

IT SEEMS THAT EVERYTHING REMINDS ME OF YOU

COLUMBIA, OH COLUMBIA

 

STAND UP, STAND TALL

DON’T LET YOURSELF GIVE WAY

TOMORROW’S STILL THE FUTURE

TODAY IS STILL TODAY

 

FROM LOW STEPS TO THE CAMPUS STORE

WE FEEL YOUR SPIRIT IN OUR VERY CORE

SO, ROAR YOU LION, ROAR YOU LION, ROAR…

COLUMBIA, OH COLUMBIA

 

STAND UP, STAND PROUD

THE DAY HAS JUST BEGUN

THOUGH WE CAN’T ALWAYS SING TOGETHER

WE CAN STILL SING AS ONE

 

SO, RAISE A GLASS TO OUR OLD BROADWAY

WHERE WE SHALL RAISE ONE TOGETHER SOME DAY

AND TOAST OUR ALMA MATER, NOW AND FOR AYE…

COLUMBIA, OH COLUMBIA, OH COLUMBIA

NOW AND FOR AYE.

 

If you’d like to learn more about the inspiration behind the gift, Columbia Magazine has a new article, featuring an interview with Tom.