Stake Songs

Stake Songs I The Improvement Era has received a number of quite interesting m.iih> that various stakes of the Church by the Mu- have been used in the tual Improvement Associations who were requested to provide a stake song for the community singing at the fall conventions of the organizations which were held in connection with the Church quarterly conference in most instances, in a number of cases, separately. Among these we have selected a few, appearing in this number of the Era, and which we think may be of interest to M. I. A. members of the various stakes. In a num- ber of instances, original music accompanied the songs, but mostly they were adapted to music already in vogue. Editors.]

M. I. A. STANDARD The wrongs that mean defeat; j "So_•join our ranks and fight for truth, tho c Sun ci & ,rr rr it ,„ r Into .1 v <t (Tune) Today ' 11 i Shines i ; . , , '

If victory you would meet. We are a band of workers ~ , . Our motto stands, we look ahead, , . ,

T .

wIn a righteous cause, .~ .,:„.«..., T , . Improved our lives would u •be; were going° on to victory » •

Goodf health n , ,, , '

A „_ ™,„ And never stop nor , M pause; . . v . our future would secure, 1 . , Frora Simulants be free Our goal it is perfection T In tho works of art, all Then, vork Wlth us we U wn the f] And faith and love shall guide, _,. 1° ' .„ , , T ,

For they are within each heart. Chorus . ^ ^ord w will help us through; e un f ei 8 ne d» e wis 1° w ork with y° u We'll work, we'll work p^ '

RichmondJ South 7 Andj ever ibe sincere, » .

^i We'll work, we'll work Urson Clark For that we hold so dear, THE MUTUALS, BENSON STAKE We 11 work, we 11 work It is our M. I. A. Original Music and Words Remembering where there is a will It s ' the great M j A raove ment, There s sure to be a way. Zions young folks to pre pare, We're working for salvation For tlie preaching of the gospel plan, In the courts on high, To God's children everywhere. We'll strengthen every effort We wil1 rall y round our standard, Because the time is nigh Lift n 'g n our beacon light- When we'll be called to answer We wil1 march along, in a mighty For the things we've done, throng, How we've used our time Heaven cry "God speed the right." And if we've lost or won. Chorus Bear River Stake M. I. >4. Tnen Hurrah! for the sons of Zion, miitttat wncirrpc Dr . ICA ,, And hurrah! for daughters bright. MUTUAL WORKERS, BENSON We are sure to win, in the fight with STAKE g n j Tune: "Hark! Listen to the Trump- Hear our cry, "God speed the eters" right." Tis here wo meet, all workers we We are stalwart, young and vigorous, A happy Mutual band; We are sturdy, strong, and brave. Our aims, our hopes and ideals too We are members of societies, Are highest in the land. Seeking precious souls to save. They tend to growth and freedom We are in our Redeemer's service rom ' We are workers with our might.

,

STAKE SONGS 69

We will fight and win, 'gainst the Made sacred by our joys and tears, power of sin, No other skies seem half so clear Hear our cry, "God speed the And all our days unmarred by fear, right." Not our deserts, we so live Smithfield Second Ward Secure from fear, but Thine the Prof. Geo. Thomas cause, A GLORY STILL OUR AIM AND t£Z£Z%%i*; And ever unto thee we pray, A Mutual Improvement Association "Lead us aright from day to day." Help us to walk through every hour Onward, upward we are going, The path of virtue, truth and right, Something daily we attain, Shield us from every evil power- Lessons bright with truth bestowing Be thou our strength in every fight, Knowledge every one may gain. A beacon light be to us all Chorus Guiding our steps from every fall. Listen to the invitation, O. P. Huish Hear the Holy Spirit's call! 0UR UNI0N MUTUALS Join the movement For improvement, To guide the youth of Zion, Tis a mutual work for all. Oh, what a mighty task, x ., . . , . Yet with God's hand to help us. Lifting mind to greater merit, To<J much he cannQt agk That our eyes may better see, By his power, the Holy Spirit Chorus Caused our Mutual to be. True to the work that our Prophet Chorus llas given us '

Then, in our Association, True t0 . our God who wil1 ever be "

triend us> Let its spirit and its scope TT . , High is our aim,-ever the same Be the acme of salvation, Glory still our aim and hope. Doin S u r du ? ^ we U the S 0S P el P ro claim .

• "

7Ve6o Stake M. I. A. ODE TO NEBO STAKE Though far removed from Zion, ytti pierce the n Where mountain summits r . . ... .1 God's Spirit guides us on, ui • . Humbly ever we beseech him, i_ 1 1 •

T • . « r i . . . „ , To love and make us strong. ° Like watchtul sentries and tall grand, As Union is our watchword, And streams of living water rise United we will be. To bless and beautify the land, The influence of our efforts, Mount Nebo, in majestic pride Reaches eternity. Looks down o'er the hills and val- r „ „ , . Improvement, is our motto, „ •

eys wi e. Progress we strive to make, How like that mountain's lofty dome And to the end prove faithful, Is Nebo Stake among its peers, Mutual of the Union Stake. Land that we love to call our home Lagrande, Oregon — Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. SONG (Sung to the tune of Smiles)

Somehow, now I know Just what makes my soul to grow, Makes me useful, makes me truthful, Many good deeds sow; Y.— M.— (L) .— M— I.—A.,

—

70 IMPROVEMENT ERA Keep me safe I humbly pray, Guide my fet. nor lot me stray Far from your shining rays.

Chorus There are deeds that make us happy There are deed- ><> good and true, There are deeds that fill the world with sunshine, When the silver lining turns to blue; There are deeds that bind the ties of friendship, And our very inmost souls renew, But the deeds that lead us on to glory, Are the deeds that the "Mutuals" do.

Let's work with a smile, Try to do the things worth while, Let us ponder, ere we wander O'er some ugly stile; Y.— M.— (L).— M*.—I.— A., We're convinced you're here to stay, We will aid you and support you Help you live alway. South Davis, M. I. A.

DEAR M. I. A. Let us join in song for the M. I. A., For its hours of mirth and glee, With no thought to spare for a world of care, In our hearts so light and free. Let us join the rollicking wood-nymphs' dance, On plain or in canyon dell By camp fires bright or in halls alight, Play the games that we love so well.

Chorus For the M. I. A. is for all of us, The dear old M. I. A., 'Tis for all who stand for its slogans grand, Against Sin and its dark array. Let us give our hearts to the M. I. A. And the work it is planned to do, That seeds of truth we may sow in youth, For a harvest full and true; That life as clean as the sparkling rills From our mountains capped with snow, That strength as firm as the world-old hills, May be reaped from the seeds we sow. Let our prayers ascend for the M. I. A., And all it is meant to give In honest zeal, in power to feel, And in faith by which to live. To the hope and trust of our father's kind, To our mothers' love so true, To the better way, with the M. I. A., We pledge our lives anew. Provo, Utah Annie D. Palmer

—

STAKE SONGS 71

ALPINE STAKE M. I. A. SONG Nestled beneath Timpanogos grand, Lies Alpine Stake from harm secure, Rich in her boys and her girls so fair, May her name always endure! List to the sound of the Mutual call, As earnestly we march along, Pressed by the spirit of truth and right, As we on to glory throng.

Chorus For its boys and girls we are seeking To enlist with the M. I. A. There's a place for all who will enter We hope they'll ever stay, They will find kind friends bidding welcome To participate in work and play. Then we'll shout and sing till the valleys ring, "Hip, Hurray for the M. I. A."

Hark, hear the hum of our busy swarms Of bee-hive girls who work the while, Nursing the sick, and preparing meals, Cheering all with a pleasant smile, Halt! clear the way for our boy scout band, Marching to manhood along life's road, Serving country and their God.

SAN JUAN M. I. A. STAKE SONG (Tune: Battle Cry of Freedom) I There is a prize of glory, for us who work with might, Dare and do with courage, all that we undertake; Putting on the armour of virtue, truth and right Holding high, the banner of the San Juan Stake.

Chorus Forward the Mutual, work while you may, Keep the battle raging, through night and the day. And scale the heights of valor, our pennant there must stay. We wish unselfish effort, to our M. I. A. II We call the battle ended when only we have won, Holding every advance that we make, In trench and clouds of darkness and charge with rising sun, Still unstained, the banner of the San Juan Stake. Chorus III With duty never ended, we do not know retreat, Our steady tread of soldiers makes all vice give way, We brave opposing torrents, even death is not defeat, Eternal, all advancing, with our M. I. A. —M. A. Barton