Page 17 - 2021-Mag-88-2

Viewpoint

Because “singing is good for the soul,” all DKG
members, whether musically gifted or not, are encouraged
to participate. Official DKG songbooks from the past
have included Official Songs, Songs of Inspiration, Songs
of Ceremonies, Songs of Meditation, Songs of Fun and
Fellowship, and Songs without Words.
Permissions and copyright fees are important
considerations when integrating music into DKG programs
and limit the music resources that the Society is able to
provide. However, the DKG website does provide access
to sheet music and an audio resource for “The Delta Kappa
Gamma Song,” penned in 1929 by the Society’s first president, Dr. Annie Webb Texas members Mary
Blanton. Cora Martin of Alpha Chapter in Texas State Organization polished Ann Waldon and
Blanton’s lyrics for the song, and Lillian Mohr Fox of Omicron Chapter in JoAnn Brooks
enthusiastically sing
California State Organization wrote the music that was adapted from the tune of “The Delta Kappa
“Men of Harlech,” a British military march. Gamma Song” at the
The words of our “official” DKG song have meaning from the beginning as end of the 2021 Texas
we identify ourselves as …“Women teachers to the calling, firmly rally, never State Organization
falling, duty ne’er upon us palling, staunch, courageous, we!” Such meaningful Convention.
words continue through the verses to remind us of the qualities we possess as DKG
members, emphasizing words such as duty, loyalty, trust, faith, forward moving,
courage, honor, deeds of others, inspires, unity, and liberty. Although the use of THE DELTA
the word brother in the song has been criticized through the years, it was originally KAPPA GAMMA
used to indicate the close ties of friendship and love that bind DKG members SONG
together. During those times of criticism of women’s involvement in the world Annie Webb Blanton
of work, “brotherhood” had a deeper meaning, unfortunately, than “sisterhood.” and Cora Martin
These and the other words are as worthy today as they were in 1929 in defining
“who we are.”
Past international president Evelyn Barron (Epsilon Kappa Chapter, Texas State Women teachers to
Organization) perhaps best captured the importance of music in DKG as follows: the calling
Variously referred to as ‘the language of the heart,’ the ‘language of the Firmly rally, never
soul,’ and ‘a universal language,’ music has long been an integral part of falling,
DKG programs. Music—from classical to rap, instrumental and vocal—
serves to emphasize, to entertain, and to energize. In group settings, music Duty ne’er upon us
promotes fellowship and understanding. The use of music in DKG activities palling
particularly reinforces Purpose 1 of our Society: To unite women educators of
the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship. (Personal communication, 2021) Staunch,
courageous, we!

Betty R. Oswald, Alpha Lambda Chapter, Mississippi, is a 60-year member of DKG, having been invited during her Loyalty and trust
first year teaching at Kate Shepherd Elementary School, Mobile, Alabama. She is a past Mississippi State Organization e’er heeding,
president; past International Music Representative; and past member of three international committees, including past
chair of the finance committee of the Eunah Temple Holden Leadership Fund. A graduate of Mississippi College who Mindful of our
completed her master’s degree at the University of Alabama, Oswald has been a teacher in elementary, high school, sisters needing
community college, and on the first faculty of the University of South Alabama. bettyoswald28@gmail.com
Aid and guidance
from those leading,

Helpful may we be!

Collegial Exchange · 15