Muster

In many lands and climes, this April day
Proud sons of Texas A & M unite.
Our loyalty to country, school, we pay,
And seal our pact with bond of common might.

We live again those happy days of yore,
On campus, field, in classroom, hall, at drill.
Fond memory brings a sigh–but nothing more:
Now we are men, and life is one a great thrill!

On fortress isle 74 years ago today,
A group of gallant Aggies, led by Moore,
Held simple rites which to us all doth say:
The spirit shall prevail o’er cannon roar!

They thought of home and all we hold most dear:
Where are they now–those boys we knew so well?
Ask of the winds, let smile repress a tear,
Think only of their glory when they fell!

Corregidor! forever more a hallowed name
To countless sons of Texans yet unborn;
Symbolic like, it stands for deathless fame:
A shrine sublime till Resurrection morn!

Softly call the muster,
Let comrade answer, “Here!”
Their spirits hover ‘round us:
As if to bring us cheer!
Mark them “present” in our hearts,
We’ll meet some other day.
There is no Death, but Life Eterne
For heroes such as they!

by Dr. John Ashton, Class of 1906