School Rally: St. Michael's Institution, Ipoh

For those who noticed, most La Sallian schools in Malaysia share the same school rally. There may be some differences in words but overall the song and tune is the same.

According to the La Salle College Old Boys Association, a research was conducted by Mark Huang in 2003, stated that, based on Brother Herman Fenton, the oldest surviving Christian Brother, the lyrics of the School Song was written by Brother Marcian James (1869 - 1938).

Bro. Cassian Brigant OBE

To believe, the origin of the melody was supplied by Brother Cassian Brigant OBE, Principal of La Salle College (1946 - 1947) and that it is a French martial air.

Bro Marcian wrote numbers of school rallies for various Christian Brothers schools, St. Michael's Institution, Ipoh; St. Francis Institution, Malacca; St. Joseph's College, HK; La Salle College's School Song, and even most of the La Salle Schools' in Asia.

In St. Michael's Institution, Ipoh, Bro Marcian was known as the one who composed the lyrics and tune of our school song, 'All through Our College'. It said the song was drawn from an ancient Irish Song.

Below are some of the Bro. Marcian's works on School Rally...

St. Michael Institution, Ipoh, Malaysia

All through our College a voice is resounding
Promptly respond to your duty's sweet call!
Harken you all for the trumpet is sounding
Your Mater's proclaiming her watchword to all

Forward my children dear!
Ever with heart sincere
Render with joy to your Mater her due
All that is vile reject; Heaven will e'er protect,
Sons of St. Michael's valiant and true.

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St. Xavier's Institution, Penang, Malaysia

All through our college a voice is resounding,
Promptly respond to your duty's sweet call,
Hearken you all for the trumpet is sounding,
Your mater's proclaiming her watchwords to all

(Chorus)
Forward her children dear,
Ever with hearts sincere,
Render with joy to your mater her due,
All that is vile reject; Heaven will e'er protect,
Sons of St Xavier's valiant and true,

Labour will conquer your motto still bearing,
Forward with courage in ways that are just,
True to your standard, be doing and daring,
As faithful Xaverians in Heaven your trust (Chorus)

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St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong & Singapore

All through our College a voice is resounding,
Promptly respond to your duty's clear call.
Harken you all for the trumpet is sounding,
Your Mater's proclaiming her watchword to all. (Chorus)

(Chorus)
Forward, not flinch nor fear,
Ever with heart sincere,
Render with joy to your Mater her due;
All that is vile reject; Heaven will e'er protect,
Sons of St. Joseph's valiant and true.

Labour and Virtue your motto still bearing,
Forward with courage in ways that are just
True to your standard be doing and daring,
As faithful Josephians in Heaven you trust. (Chorus)

Onward and upward in life's earnest battle,
Joyously bearing the brunt of the fight,
Nobly forgiving for aught that may pain you,
And bravely defending the cause of the right. (Chorus)

Lift up your hearts for a Kingdom awaits you,
Honour and Virtue with courage defend;
Serve Him in life, who in death can reward you,
And vow to be faithful and true to the end. (Chorus)

Source: La Salle College Old Boys Association & The Franciscans Online Web Community