Delta Internal Development

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Delta Official (and other) Songs

Module

2

Agenda

• Welcome• Introductions• Meditation• Objectives• Ice Breaker• Delta Official Songs• Other Songs• Evaluation• Closing

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Objectives

• To review the six (6) official Sorority songs.

• To ensure that sorors are familiar with the correct way to sing the Sorority’s official songs.

• To review other songs used in Sorority ceremonies and programs.

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Ice Breaker

Delta Official Songs

Sorors should be able to sing the following without the aid of the Ritual or songbook:

•Delta Sigma Theta National Hymn

•Delta Prayer

•Beta Hymn

•Delta Mizpah

•Delta Sweetheart Song

•Pyramid Hymn

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Delta Official Songs

• All sorors sing the six (6) official songs

• The official songs are never sung as solos or renditions

• The official songs are never improvised, changed, or appended to other songs

• All verses of the official songs are sung

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Delta Official Songs

Delta Sigma Theta National Hymn

•Written by Florence Cole Talbert and Alice Dunbar Nelson•Sung at Chapter Meeting, Regional Conference, and Grand Chapter Formal Closing Ceremonies, Grand Chapter Formal Opening Ceremony (if the Honorary Member Initiation Ceremony takes place), Rededication Ceremony, and Initiation Ceremony•Sorors form a circle, cross arms right over left, join hands, and sing all verses in unison

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Delta Official Songs

Delta Prayer

•Written by Johanna Gow Bush

•Sung at Chapter Meeting, Regional Conference, and Grand Chapter Formal Opening Ceremonies, Rededication Ceremony, Initiation Ceremony, Memorial Observance, and Omega Omega Service

•Sorors remain seated and sing all verses in unison

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Delta Official Songs

Beta Hymn

•Written by Anna L. Dorsey Wilson and Isabelle Askew

•Sung at Grand Chapter Formal Opening Ceremony (if the Honorary Member Initiation Ceremony takes place), Pyramid Induction Ceremony, and Initiation Ceremony

•Sorors sing all verses in unison while standing

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Delta Official Songs

Delta Mizpah

•Written by Johanna Gow Bush

•Sung or recited at Chapter Meeting Closing Ceremony

•Sorors form a circle, join hands, and sing or recite in unison

10

Delta Official Songs

Delta Sweetheart Song

•Co-Lyricists were Dorothy Jean Swope and June Mack; Collaborator was Alberta Ray White; Arrrangements by Eloise Logan Penn

•Renditions or additions to the song are inappropriate

•Sorors form a circle, join hands, and sway to the right on the word “may”

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Delta Official Songs

Delta Sweetheart Song (continued)

Can be sung at Sorority functions and other Greek functions. Exceptions:

•Serenading a Delta bride (bride only) at her wedding reception as she stands in the center of the circle.

•Upon any noteworthy accomplishment by a soror

•Events of other Pan-Hellenic organizations

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Delta Official Songs

Pyramid Hymn

•Hummed at Honorary Member Initiation Ceremony and Crossing Over Ceremony

•Sung at Pyramid Induction Ceremony and during Jewel Ceremonies

•Sorors form a circle around the pyramids (pyramids form an inward facing circle), join hands, and sing all verses in unison

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Other Songs

I Would Be True

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;I would be pure, for there are those who care;I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;I would be brave, for there is much to dare.I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all, the foe, the friendless;I would be giving, and forget the gift;I would be humble, for I know my weakness;I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.

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Other SongsLift Ev’ry Voice and Sing

(also known as the Negro National Anthem)

Verse 1

Lift ev'ry voice and sing,'Til earth and heaven ring,Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;Let our rejoicing riseHigh as the list'ning skies,Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,Let us march on 'til victory is won.

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Other SongsLift Ev’ry Voice and Sing (continued)

Verse 2

Stony the road we trod,Bitter the chastening rod,Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;Yet with a steady beat,Have not our weary feetCome to the place for which our fathers sighed?We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,Out from the gloomy past,'Til now we stand at lastWhere the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

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Other SongsLift Ev’ry Voice and Sing (continued)

Verse 3

God of our weary years,God of our silent tears,Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;Thou who has by Thy mightLed us into the light,Keep us forever in the path, we pray.Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;Shadowed beneath Thy hand,May we forever stand,True to our God,True to our native land. 17

Other Songs

• Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand

• This Little Light Of Mine

• Love Lifted Me

• Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

• I Will Trust in the Lord

• Hallelujah

• Lead Me, Guide Me

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Questions

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Evaluation

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The Leadership Academy2008-2013

Elsie Cooke-Holmes, Co-ChairPamela E. Smith, Co-Chair

Schean G. Belton, Esq.Stephanie M. Cooper

Deloris Johnson DrakesLisa Farmer-Cole

Soraya Williams FarverCharlotte M. Freeman, Ph.D.

Renee LaVerne HarperBeverly Harris Schembri

Wendy J. Johnson (2012-13)Sandra F. Mack, Ed.D.Gwendolyn J. Mosley

Mandy Mullens-WilliamsMabel Lake Murray, Ed.D.

Mildred Porter-DuncanNorma Sermon Boyd, Ed.D.

Jennifer R. SmithHellenna L. Terrell, Ed.D.

Barbara Woods, Ph.D.Stephanie Flowers, Staff Liaison

Shannon Jones Jenkins, Staff Liaison