Chorus: "Hail to the Chief"

"Hail to the Chief"

Chorus
Hail to the chief who in triumph advances!
Honoured an blest be the ever-green Pine;
Long may the Tree in his banner that glances,
Fourish, the shelter and grace of our line!
Quartett
   Heaven send it happy dew
   Earth lend it sap anew,
Gaily to bourgeon and broadly to grow;
Chorus
   While every Highland glen
   Sends our shout back agai
"Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!"

Quartett
Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain,
Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade;
Chorus
When the whirlwind has stripped every leaf on the montain,
The more shall Clan Alpine exalt in her shade.
Quartett
   Moored in the rifted rock,
   Proof to the tempest's shock
Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow;
Chorus
   Menteith and Breadalbaane then,
   Echo his praise again,
"Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!"

Chorus
Row, vassals, row, for the pride of the Highlands,
Stretch to your oars for the ever-green Pine!
Oh, that the rosebud that graces yon islands
Were wreathed in a garland around him to twine!
   Oh, that some seedling gem
   Worthy such noble stem
Honoured and blest in their shadow might grow!
   Loud shall Clan Alpine then
   Ring from the deepmost glen,
"Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!"

                                                      Words by Sir Walter Scott (Lady of the Lake)

This popular chorus was written by Sir Henry Bishop in 1810, for mixed voices, and was arranged for men's voices for the Edinburgh University Musical Society concert of 1879.   The second stanza of Sir Walter Scott's "Boatsong" omitted by Bishop, is included for the first time in this arrangement.

In his admirable "Story of the University of Edinburgh," Sir Alexander Grant truly remarks of Bishop:- "He now lives in the University of Edinburgh in his glees, which the students are never weary of performing at their concerts."