Our Songs
Our Songs
1) School Song – From High Olympus
Click Here for Music Score to this song
“The school song is the very first song a new pupil learns when she steps into RGS. It was officially introduced in 1954, after Principal Miss Hinchliffe (principal from 1951 - 1956) commissioned Miss Goodland, the music teacher, to introduce a school song. Miss Goodland selected the song ‘From High Olympus’ from a songbook called ‘Unison’ (a collection of songs sung during the British colonial days). The people responsible for the lyrics and tune were Miss Florence Hoare and Miss H.L. Schnoor.” - From RGS History Book – Daughters of a Better Age 1844-2006
From High Olympus flows to us the glory,
On us the sacred fire descends.
Rise, sisters, rise, the world is all before ye.
Fear not to grasp what fortune sends.
Chorus.
Sisters in learning and sisters at heart,
Life lies before us, here’s luck to the start.
A little while the sun shines high above us,
And youth’s elixir fills our veins,
The magic fire that moves the gods to love us,
The fire by which the will attains.
Chorus.
Sisters in learning and sisters at heart,
Life lies before us, here’s luck to the start.
So heart to heart, we’ll scale the heights of learning,
No mean desires our days shall shame,
Whole-hearted, true, with pride and ardour burning
On, sisters, on to life and fame.
Chorus.
Sisters in learning and sisters at heart,
Life lies before us, here’s luck to the start.
Recording of RGS School Song
2) Dedication
Click Here for Music Score to this song
(a song composed in the early 1980’s by a talented group of girls who called themselves the Jasplys: comprising WL Chan, Lisa Tan, YS Tan, Susie See, Pauline Sng, ML Lui and Shirley Yee.)
“But when they talked about the song “Dedication”, WHAM, the melody hit me – WITH THE LYRICS - and rang clearly in my head! For one reason or other, these words stuck with me through the years, impervious to my otherwise failing memory.” – An Alumnus
“A song that now lingers in my head…” – An Alumnus
We have shared our morning days,
And gone through all rainy nights,
Even in the darkest of nights,
Stars still light up our way.
Tomorrow is a beautiful dream,
A dream that will be fulfilled,
Cross the bridge of rainbow,
In search of the gold.
For here we stand (for here we stand)
Our dearest friend (our dearest friend)
Sincerely from our hearts we wish,
May streams of sunlight shine
like rays of hope,
Hand in hand, we work and strive
For the best things in life.
3) Filiae Melioris Aevi (composed by Caroline Sung, a choir pianist in the 1980s)
Click Here for Music Score to this song
“Mrs Chee Keng Soon (principal 1980-1988) fondly remembers this to be the favourite of the long-serving teacher in-charge of the choir, Mrs. Rathie Singam.” – RGS History Book – Daughters of a Better Age 1844-2006
Now as we remember
Strains of our school song
Call to mind our motto
Filiae Melioris Aevi
Filiae Melioris Aevi
Daughters of a better age
United by a common goal
Filiae Melioris Aevi
4) Gaudeamus igitur [Lyrics by C.W. Kindeleben]
“is a popular song in educational institutions, mostly at university graduations. I believe that it was sung in RGS before the School Song was written. My most vivid memory of the song is when it was sung in the film “Student Prince” set at the University of Heidelberg.” - Mrs Carmee Lim (Principal 1988-1999)
Gaudeamus igitur Juvenes dum sumus. Post jucundum juventutem Post molestam senectutem Nos habebit humus. Ubi sunt qui ante nos In mundo fuere? Vadite ad superos Transite in inferos Hos si vis videre. Vita nostra brevis est Brevi finietur. Venit mors velociter Rapit nos atrociter Nemini parcetur. Vivat academia Vivant professores Vivat membrum quodlibet Vivat membra quaelibet Semper sint in flore. Vivant omnes virgines Faciles, formosae. Vivant et mulieres Tenerae amabiles Bonae laboriosae. Vivant et republica et qui illam regit. Vivat nostra civitas, Maecenatum caritas Quae nos hic protegit. Pereat tristitia, Pereant osores. Pereat diabolus, Quivis antiburschius Atque irrisores. |
Let us rejoice therefore While we are young. After a pleasant youth After a troublesome old age The earth will have us. Where are they Who were in the world before us? You may cross over to heaven You may go to hell If you wish to see them Our life is brief It will be finished shortly. Death comes quickly Atrociously, it snatches us away. No one is spared. Long live the academy! Long live the teachers! Long live each male student! Long live each female student! May they always flourish! Long live all maidens Easy and beautiful! Long live mature women also, Tender and loveable And full of good labor. Long live the State And the One who rules it! Long live our City And the charity of benefactors Which protects us here! Let sadness perish! Let haters perish! Let the devil perish! Let whoever is against our school Who laughs at it, perish! |
5) If we hold on together [Music and words by James Harner and Will Jenning]
“In 1993 RGS became independent. This is my special song! Reason: the staff & I share a vision! We believe passionately that RGS would lead the way to transform education to prepare our girls for the changing world. We want our girls not only to do well in examinations but also to thrive in the 21st century. However, the re-culturing process was difficult, so the song was to inspire the RGS family to hold on to our dream together. Hence, we articulate our vision and sing the song at every function.” - Mrs Carmee Lim (Principal 1988-1999)
Don’t lose your way
With each passing day
You’ve come so far
Don’t throw it away
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith, hope & glory
Hold to the truth in your heart
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I
Souls in the wind
Must learn how to bend
Seek out a star
Hold on to the end
Valley, mountain
There is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying
Someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I
When we are out there in the dark
We’ll dream about the sun
In the dark we’ll feel the light
Warm our hearts, everyone
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I