The Letter
They sing it in the Army with their Benny Havens O,
They have their mouths wide open and they stand up in a row.
They sing it in the Army but the Army doesn't know
How it makes a better music when the O's in Ohio.
Oh it makes a better music when the O's in Ohio,
Oh it makes a better music when the O's in Ohio,
When the O's in Ohio, the O's in Ohio,
It makes a better music when the O's in Ohio,
So we'll sing it in Ohio with the right Ohio O,
And we'll leave to all good fellows if the others have a show.
We'll sing it in Ohio, and till all the world shall know
How it makes a merrier music when the O's in Ohio.
Oh it makes a merrier music when the O's in Ohio,
Oh it makes a merrier music when the O's in Ohio,
When the O's in Ohio, the O's in Ohio,
It's music, oh it's music, when the O's in Ohio,
The Letter, though published in 1923, could have been around much longer than the publication date. This song book mentions that The Letter was sung by "The Girl's Glee Club"; the only reference, in any of the song books, that the women of Ohio State also had a Glee Club. As there is much more known about Ohio State's Men's Glee Club, very little is known about the "The Girl's Glee Club". Though, an article in The Lantern from December 9, 1903, indicated that newly formed "The Girl's Glee Club" will be performing in concert on December 11, 1903.
Today, the Ohio State's Glee Club consists of both men and women, who perform as a single group or as separate groups, depending on the concert. As for the song, it does make fun at the US Military Academy (West Point) and it is an example of adapting new lyrics to a familiar melody.
Photo: 1925 William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library, Courtesy of The Ohio State University Archives
Please e-mail any comments, problems or suggestions to njmetrowsky@gmail.com
Webmaster: Nick Metrowsky
The Ohio State University, BA, History, 1979
Life Member The Ohio State University Alumni Association
Life Member of The Ohio State University President's Club
Annual Member of The Ohio State University Varsity "O" Association
Last Updated: 23 September, 2021
