AUG 13 — Let us now with thankfulness, praise the founders of our school.

So starts the first stanza of the school song that every student would sing lustily every Monday morning during assembly and also during special school occasions. The song, with its tune inspired by another student song, Gaudeamus Igitur, was composed by GF Jackson who was a Literature teacher in the school. I often wonder if Mr Jackson knew how impactful his composition would be to the students of the school.

The school song is held in such high esteem that Old Boys will often sing it whenever they gather together.

I know for a fact that my batch of 1984 will always break out in song every time we have a reunion.

Imagine a bunch of balding, middle aged men standing up wherever they may be — in someone’s house, a nightspot or even a restaurant, and proudly singing the school song — oblivious to the stares from onlookers.

There are lessons to be learnt from this school song. Lessons in life that far surpass your school days.

It starts by telling us to remember our past. That we should remember and be thankful to those that had the idea and the dedication to set up a school so that future generations could benefit from it. To recall that even though some of the founders were not local, they had the future of the country at heart knowing that education was a necessary requisite for nation building. To realise that from this small seed a might oak has grown.

The second stanza tells us the importance of recalling all of those that walked through the corridors of the school. In remembering this we understand that everyone has played a part in developing the school. From teachers, students, parents as well as everyone that had links to the school be it in administration or even those that just helped out. It is their contributions, in whatever form or manner, that have made the school what it is today. Of particular importance is the line “not one race but one in feeling.” For certainly, the school was made up of Malaysians from every ethnic background. We were all taught that we were Malaysian first, long before the 1Malaysia slogan came about.

At the same time, we all knew that our blood was Blue. True Blue. For it was a given that there was something special about the school and it was far more than just receiving an education. The school itself has always had an indomitable spirit that seems to transcend time. And I suppose that is why, till today, former students are still involved in whatever way they can. Some return to teach the School Band, some coach the rugby and hockey teams, some serve on the Old Boys Association, some contribute funds to the school, the list of service to the school goes on and on.

Finally, we sing a pledge to always uphold our School. We pledge to do our best in all that we do whether it be work or pleasure. We realise the importance of striving hard and to show an example to those younger than us. We hope that the new generation of students will match the older generations. Pledging to always honour our School is not an easy thing as there are many virtues that one has to uphold. Integrity, truth, discipline, punctuality, honour, compassion, honesty — these are just a few of the hallmarks of what it means to uphold our school.

The school song is not just about the school in my opinion. By changing the perspective from school to country, one can almost see the lessons that the song tries to teach us as citizens of this country.

Remember our forefathers and their struggles. Remember how they fought together, regardless of race and religion, to gain independence and build the nation. They only had the interest of the nation at heart.

Remember all those that served the country throughout the years. The civil servants, the corporate figures, the sportsmen, the rakyat. Everybody. We all try to do our bit for the country. We need to continue to transcend race and remember that we are all Malaysians first. Some of us may have different ideas of what we want out of our country but we still need to work hard to develop the country and continue to do that. A country is more than just a mass of land delineated by borders. This is your country and what you do shapes the country in every way, both tangible and intangible.

Lastly, we always pledge to uphold our country in all that we do. And like the pledge in the school song, although not explicitly stated it is implicitly understood. Do everything with pride. Be honest, trustworthy and disciplined in all that you do. Have integrity, honesty and compassion. For without these values we are not very good citizens and we are not even half the person that we should be.

Isn’t it something to think about when a school song can provide such wisdom?

The school song will be sung lustily again on the 14th August 2015 in commemoration of the Founders Day of the Victoria Institution. No doubt many old boys will also sing it in their own groups or individually at home for the song has indeed become a part of us. After Negara-Ku, this song is probably the most important song to all Victorians. Happy 122th Anniversary dear old Victoria Institution. You have made us Victorians what we are today. We hope we have made you proud for we are certainly proud to be a part of you.

Victoria Institution school song

Let us now with thankfulness

Praise the founders of our School.

Let us now with thankfulness

Praise the founders of our School

For their foresight and devotion,

Some who came across the ocean,

Some Malaysia’s own sons,

All true Victorians.

Let us next remember here

All who passed through this our School.

Let us next remember here

All who passed through this our School,

Not one race but one in feeling

For a school to each appealing

That instruction be not all

Nor this School just roof and wall.

Let us lastly pledge ourselves

Ever to uphold our School.

Let us lastly pledge ourselves

Ever to uphold our School.

In our work and in our leisure,

With such zeal and in such measure

That the new Victorians

Match with Old Victorians.

* Dharm Navaratnam is a Victorian from year 1980-1984.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.