Alma Mater

Some weeks ago, I was as usual with Saz accompanying her on her endless marking. At one point, she started writing something down and humming. (When she should have been marking!) She was attempting to recall our secondary school song. I joined in and between us (well maybe mostly her) managed to figure out the words.

We loved singing the song during our school days but always had difficulty with the pitch. The last line was always ended on a low unladylike note.

In tribute, here are the words:

“We cannot all be heroes and thrill a hemisphere
With some great daring venture, some deed that mocks at fear
But we can fill a lifetime with kindly acts and true
There’s always noble service for noble souls to do

We’re not all blessed with beauty, nor everyone with brain
But each from ever other has something good to gain
So let us make an effort to keep it as a rule
That each one needs the other within the Katong school

Then let us fill the hours with minutes truly spent
In helping one another towards a true content
So let us serve in honour and work for selfless fame
For credit of our country and glory of her name”

I wonder how proximate I am to the spirit of the song and our motto “Demure & Resolute”.

But I must confess, even after all these years, I find myself still inspired.