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.