’Tis the night of the Yule Log

By Jacob Miller ’18 and Catherine Tyson ’20

’Tis the night of the Yule Log, and all through the room,
Bright chatter and laughter dispel any gloom.
With hearts full of joy, we all gather around,
To toast to old friendships and new ones just found.

“Remember that time when we walked late at night,
Through the streets of CW beneath candlelight?”
With laughter and joy, we raise up our cups,
To toast friendships and memories and all life brings up.

The glow of the fire shines bright on our faces,
As we tell tales of campus and new, far-flung places.
Though years have gone by and our paths have changed course,
In the heart of our gathering, we come back to the source.

Through shared experiences and chances to serve,
We’ve helped one another at every curve.
While keeping our values we cherish so close,
We remember our past and what tomorrow needs most.

We raise up a cheer to how we’re changing the world
To the progress we’ve made, and the plans just unfurled:
“Now data, now democracy, now water and careers,
We look forward with hope to all future years.”

But as we clink our glasses, we’re magically carried
On the wings of a griffin o’ertop William & Mary!
Lamp lights twinkle and sparkle ’round the Wren Building below,
As campus lies still ’neath a blanket of snow.

Through the stillness there’s yet much excitement to see,
Like a new dean moving into the new ISC.
O’er the expanded Muscarelle we hurry on our way,
With a dip of our wings to the new PBK.

We sail past the Sunken Garden, up and up higher,
Crossing the York, we reach Gloucester Point on our flier,
To see smiling faces from the Batten School & VIMS,
With gratitude for generosity, their bright campus brims.

And with a sigh and a flutter our griffin turns home,
Carrying us back to the Yule Log of our very own.
And setting us down with a sweep of his wing,
Joining voices in Our Alma Mater, we sing.

So here’s to our Tribe that has flourished with time,
To the friendships we cherish, and memories sublime.
As the Yule Log burns bright on this magical night,
We treasure the moments that make life feel just right.

Alma mater is home ’til the end of our days,
Brick by brick building bonds in myriad ways.
As we celebrate together, these moments we’ll carry:
Happy holidays to all from William & Mary.