Printing plate of Duke Alma Mater

Printing plate of Duke Alma Mater

Originally titled “Hymn to Trinity” by Trinity College graduate student Robert H. James (T’24), this devotional was later adapted as “Dear Old Duke,” the alma mater of Duke University. Because this is a printing plate, the sheet music and lyrics are depicted backwards. Lyrics: Dear old Duke thy name we’ll sing. To thee our voices raise (we’ll raise),/To thee our anthems ring,/in everlasting praise. And though on life’s broad‒sea,/Our fates may far us bear./We’ll ever turn to thee,/Our Alma Mater dear.

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 DEED

Printing Plate of Duke Alma Mater, Artifact and Relics Collection, Box 2, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Books & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Wood and metal plate of the Duke Alma Mater with the lyrics backwards.

Performing Arts; object; music