If you are on campus for Commencement this weekend, take notice of the Villanova University Alma Mater hung next to the Community First: Caritas Commitment Banner on Kennedy Hall. Written by Irving R. Leshner under the pen name Les Irving and copyrighted in 1948, one of the original copies of the sheet music can be accessed through Falvey Memorial Library’s Digital Library.

Below, find the lyrics that will resound in the hearts of our graduating seniors as they cross the stage to receive their diplomas Saturday.

When the twilight shadows gather
Out upon the Campus green,
When the blue and purple night
Comes stealing on the scene
Loyal heirs of Villanova
Sing a hymn of praise
To our dear old ALMA MATER
And our College days.
Villanova, Villanova
When we leave your shelt’ring walls,
We shall leave an echo ringing
Through your treasured halls
We will will leave an echo ringing
In the silent night
While our memories are singing
Of our Blue and White
When the last big game is over
And the last roll call is heard
When the oldest pedagogue
Has had his final word
We shall come to ALMA MATER
In our dreams again
With a prayer for Villanova
And a sweet amen.