Published: November 2014
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Thomas J. Hurley (1864–1931), Class of 1885, is best known as the composer of “Hail! Alma Mater!” and “For Boston.” But the prolific and dedicated alumnus also wrote other pieces, the scores of which are held in the University’s Burns Library Archives. Jeremiah W. McGrann, associate professor of the practice of music, arranged for the performance of three Hurley songs by a quartet of students and the music department’s administrative assistant, tenor Alexander Wolniak.
Tenor: Alexander Wolniak. Pianist: Jeremiah W. McGrann
The Lake-Street Car
Verse 1 Down the hill on the run we go To catch the Lake-street car. Ev’ry day it’s the same old tune To the “L” by the Lake street car. There’s seats for sixty, we fill them all, One hundred and twenty strong, And the starter whistles his little pipe When he hears our cheerful song: Then Run, run, run a little faster if you can, For a mile and a half isn’t far; And I’d rather have a seat, Than be riding on my feet To the “L” in a Lake-street car. Verse 2 Safety First is the golden rule, Except on the Lake-street car. Safety last for the pass-en-jaire To the “L” on the Lake street car. They jump the switches, they sweep the curves, You never can hear the gong; And the motorman tootles his little toot As he sings this cheerful song: I’ll Run, run, run a little faster if I can, For the Subway isn’t very far; I never hear the bell, Coz I’m working for the “L” For the “L” on a Lake-street car.
Tenor: Alexander Wolniak. Pianist: Jeremiah W. McGrann
BC Baseball Song
Verse 1 O, Yes! We’re the little boys from Boston And we never could play ball. Just a hit or two and then a run or two, And that’s no good at all! But somehow or other when the game is o’er, And we count them up, we bawl; O, Me! O, My! But we’re the little boys from Boston, And we never could play ball. Verse 2 O, Yes! We’re the little boys from Boston Shortstop’s arm is glass, the pitcher has no class, The umpire’s fierce, that’s all! But somehow or other when the game is o’er, And we count them up, we bawl; O, Me! O, My! But we’re the little boys from Boston, And we never could play ball.
Quartet (from left): Katherine Wullert ’15, Mary Aidan Hanrahan ’15, Christian Nelson ’16, and Peter Igo ’15. Pianist: Jeremiah W. McGrann
Veni Creator Spiritus
Veni Creator Spiritus, Mentes tuorum visita: Imple superna gratia Quae Tu creasti pectora. Qui diceris Paraclitus, Altissimi donum Dei, Fons vivus, ignis, caritas, Et spiritalis unctio.