Joshua Davis, an MSU College of Arts & Letters graduate, former faculty member at the MSU Community Music School - East Lansing, native of Michigan and finalist on the eighth season of NBC’s "The Voice," has released a recording and music video of his version of Michigan State University's alma mater, "MSU Shadows" with students from the University Chorale.
"MSU Shadows" was officially adopted as the alma mater for Michigan State on April 21, 1949. It was chosen by student vote after a long effort to identify and obtain a distinctive melody for the university.
The music and lyrics were penned by Bernard “Barney” Traynor, an assistant football coach on staff from 1925–27.
Listen to or download a free mp3 of Joshua Davis’ "MSU Shadows," courtesy of MSU Advancement
Listen to the interview with President Simon, Mark Hollis and Joshua Davis
Watch the making of the MSU Shadows video
sing along...
MSU, we love thy shadows
When twilight silence falls,
Flushing deep and softly paling
O’er ivy covered halls;
Beneath the pines we’ll gather
To give our faith so true,
Sing our love for Alma Mater
And thy praises, MSU.
When from these scenes we wander
And twilight shadows fade,
Our mem’ry still will linger
Where light and shadows played;
In the evening oft we’ll gather
And pledge our faith anew,
Sing our love for Alma Mater
And thy praises, MSU.