St Joseph's College Colombo - College Anthem

St. Joseph's College, Colombo
College Anthem
"This is my story", College Chapel. 19 March 2017
1. Fruits of Virtue and of Knowledge, here we gather Peace and Power,
Symbolised in yonder banner floating o’er St. Joseph’s Tower,
White and Blue its mystic colours, harmonising strong and clear,
Stolen from the distant mountains, from the wild waves breaking near.
From the wild waves breaking near, Harmonising, strong and clear,
White and Blue our mystic colours, ‘til the mountains disappear.
4. Where our Lady, Queen of Heaven, deigned on earth to reappear,
In the grotto o'er the torrent from the mountains rising near,
White and Blue her robe and girdle, Lily white her mantle too -
Then we'll wear Our Lady's colours, Dear St. Joseph's White and Blue.
Then Hurrah for White and Blue, Then Hurrah for White and Blue,
Still we'll wear Our Lady's colours - Dear St. Joseph's White and Blue.
The words for the College Anthem entitled "White and Blue" were written by Rev. Fr. John M. Lanigan, an Irishman and a great friend of Fr. Charles Collin, the first Rector. Music for the anthem was later composed by Mr. Edgar Neydorff. Although the College Anthem was composed during the last year (1916) of the Rectorship of Rev. Fr. Charles Collin O.M.I. the anthem was sung during the second term of Rectorship (1920) of Rev. Fr. Maurice Legoc O.M.I. The Original Manuscript is dated 25th November 1920.
This new TTBB arrangement is by Eshantha J. Peiris (2004 batch), and is dated 02nd March 2017 just before this first performance, which he is conducting.
The sound of St. Cecilia's Choir of St. Joseph's College joining in for the second verse with great fervour, is particularly uplifting.