Phi Gamma Delta is my college fraternity, nicknamed Fiji or Phi Gam. I was the University of Chicago Fiji chapter’s songleader in the annual Interfraternity Sing from 2002 through 2019, and a few times prior. No Sing in 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic. This is the oldest interfraternity sing in the country, and now includes fraternities and sororities. We usually have between 100 and 150 Fiji undergraduates and alumni crammed on stage. I was an active member of the Sing Organizing Committee. In 2022, the Sing is now organized by the Alumni office,, moving Alumni Weekend this year from June to May, with a late addition of the Sing to the schedule. Maybe they were influenced by the lackluster (embarrassing) performances of so many groups in 2019. Just before the Sing was added to the schedule, I accepted a commitment to officiate at a funeral on May 21,2020 here in Vermont. I take this role on as a Justice of the Peace, a deacon of my church, and the newly elected head of my lodge of Freemasons. I looked for wiggle room, but the funeral was set in place after three years of delays. Family travel plans, cemetery sexton, announcement published, etc.
So now we have a short time for Chi Upsilon to prepare for a Sing which has not been in three years, and for which the members are not rehearsed, and many are probably not inclined to work at rehearsing. Our graduate members have dwindled in numbers over the last ten years, in large part because the undergraduate lack of preparation and misbehavior on stage is embarrassing to all. I certainly have been angry at the lack of preparation and the insistence that drunk and off-key we deserved to be proud and crowned. The grads participating know better, here is the evidence
This is the oldest interfraternity sing in the country, and now includes fraternities and sororities. We usually have between 100 and 150 Fiji undergraduates and alumni crammed on stage.rehearsing. Our graduate members have dwindled in numbers over the last ten years, in large part because the undergraduate lack of preparation and misbehavior on stage is embarrassing to all. I certainly have been saddened at the lack of preparation and the insistence that, drunk and off-key and rowdy, we deserved to be proud and crowned. The grads participating know better, here is the evidence. Hear it.
IF SING FIJI Chicago Interfraternity
2002 Chi Upsilon 100th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TRgO9BKgcg
Won Best Overall Performance
100th IFSing 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oXTJDDrUCw
Won Spirit Cup- where quality can be excused for effort and enthusiasm
101st IFSing 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGpx3A5cfIY minute 45:45
Off key. Ignoring leader., rowdy
102st IFSing 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctt1mhbbQsg minute 51:20
Offkey stomping, drinking on stage
If you cannot hear how bad we sounded, and cannot see how unruly we behaved in 2012 and 2013, then you should not volunteer to be the Songleader, and you should not be offended if you are asked to sing more quietly or just mouth the words. I gave up recording videos, as they were not something I would share with anyone. Maybe I should have kept them.
On the other hand, we have had two years of NO misbehavior, and we are back in the Quad Club for the Norris Pig Dinner.
I recommend one simple rule (OK- it’s a four part rule): If you do not attend the rehearsal at the Quad Club after dinner, you do not march onto the IF Sing stage. AND, if you have not rehearsed prior to the Pig Dinner, AND if your song leader tells you that YOU are not ready to go on stage to sing, then you cheer us from the audience, or you go on stage but mouth the words without making the brothers around you sing off-key to match your deviation.
It is no one’s job , who is unprepared, to grab the football from the team and shout their way down the field in jubilation. You are probably scoring a touchdown for the other team. Would the coach put you in the starting line-up if you had not practiced with the team?
Here’s how it happened in 2019-
(see below for all the info for 2022 posted as of 4/2/22)
The 2019 Interfraternity Sing WAS 7:00 Saturday June 8th
at HUTCH COURT-
Enter through the Cobb Gate across from Regenstein entrance. Alumni Relations will be scanning student IDs and Alumni Reunion passes. Fear not- Alumni will not be turned away. Alumni Association is trying to get a handle on how many alumni participate in the Sing.
In 2018, we won the Quantity Cup with over 130 brothers crammed on stage,
but that would not have won (and were not eligible ) the Quantity Cup in 2019.
We must in 2019 strive for Best Overall or Quality.
That will be tough given the competition and the repeated misbhavior of Fijis who skip rehearsals and are apparently inebriated on stage and act in an embarassing manner. This year I hope to catch the offenders on my bodycam and resolve this blight on Fiji’s reputation and embarassment to members new and old.
Brothers- when we sing on stage in public we hold the honor of Phi Gamma Delta in our hands.
The Pig Dinner is at 4:00 under a tent behind our house at 5615 S University (that was 2019- we are back at the Quad Club in 2022)
I will (not in 2022) be at the house by 2:00 pm to aid any brothers who wish to review our medley- same as last year. I will have song sheets for you to review, but please do no use them at the Sing.
Despite the crowded stage, an arc will give us more room (a straight line is the shortest distance), and let us hear ourselves better (i.e. keep together), and make us appear to audience like a singing group rather than a crowd on stage in lines. Please brothers on the left and right come to the front of the stage and face center. Brothers in the center keep as far to rear of stage as possible. Maybe even back behind the stage.
Here is the listing for Sing 2022- not much info
Who has more info? Grad board, UGrads. Are we registered with fee paid?
7–9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 21
109th Annual Interfraternity Sing Competition
Hutchinson Courtyard, 1131 E. 57th St.
Reunite with old friends, participate in tradition, and celebrate our alma mater at the University’s annual singing competition. A celebration of UChicago Greek life since 1911, this year’s event is sure to create lasting memories. IF Sing has a no-beverages policy. Bags brought to the event will be subject to search.
ENOUGH GROUSING
BY A GRUMPY SONGLEADER
HERE’S WHAT I SUGGEST FOR SING 2022
Sing the same medley as 2019:
March March on Down the Field (entering)
Like Rare Old Wine
Fiji Rose
Here’s to Good Old Delta
Wave the Flag for Old Chicago
Words to the medley
click to download , Fiji 2019 medley words
or scroll down to read it here.
In 2018, we were eligible for Best Overall, Quantity, and Spirit., and
we won Quantity. We are eligible but will likely be beat by a large sorority.
In 2015, the Chi Upsilon Fijis (us!) won the Quality Cup for Men
Since 2002, when I began this run as songleader the Chicago Fijis have won
Best Overall 2002, Spirit Cup 2005, Best Overall 2006, Quantity 2007, Best Overall 2008, Quantity 2010, Spirit 2011, Quality 2015, Quantity 2016, 2018
http://www.IFSing.org is the old web site. Gone now.
Alumni Relations is running the Sing, and the new site is http://alumniweekend.uchicago.edu/ifsing
That page is from 2019. The calendar for 2022 simply shows it as Saturday May 21 at 7:00 https://alumniweekend.uchicago.edu/events
This page has lyrics (above or below) and
mp3 downloads or click and play
singing parts (down below– they are there- if not call me at 802-229-8237. Had to rebuild this site recently.)
Note early start for IF Sing 7:00 p.m. No reception before.
Annual Norris Pig Dinner is at Quad Club. Check Chapter for details.
We are doing our traditional medley, the result of discussions with the undergraduates and graduates in 2015 through 2019. Songs we know, in usual order. Looking to please ourselves, the audience, and judges with a little romance, some traditional Fiji songs, and a big nod to UC athletic tradition. It proved in 2015 to be a winning medley. So we are doing it again.
ENTERING we sing March March on Down the Field–
first verse repeated until we are in place, short cutoff each time.
THEN I wave crossed arms to signal second verse in harmony (Phi Gamma Delta’s name, means honor, glory. Fight for her highest fame…)
ENd verse with Win win win win- basses come in from below with
Phi Gamma Delta, the Everyone- ALL HAIL, ALL HAIL.
We are going back (at undergrad request and some rehearsing- rah!) to our old harmonized beginning,
Like Rare Old Wine
then sweetly Fiji Rose (She has those dreamy eyes of blue),
then Here’s to Good Old Delta (first quiet, then with honor, then quiet on Fiji ji ji ji..)
Finally- a recent revival by undergrads-
Wave the Flag for Old Chicago. Short- not the letters C stands for….
Take a bow with me-
March off with March March on Down the Field
1 Like Rare Old Wine (Like rare old wine is friendship to me…
2 Fiji Rose (She has those dreamy eyes of blue….)
3 We’ve Not Much Longer Her to Stay (for in a month or two…)
then… with a Fijiijiji,, Delta, delta, Phi Gamma Delta, Our Delta we adore.
4 Soo here’s to good old delta drink her down (quiet), then with enthusiasm (not shouting please!)
Exiting- March March on Down the Field.
WORDS Fiji 2019 medley words RIGHT CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
MARCH, MARCH on down the field, Guard Delta’s honor,
Never a vantage yield, but hit-hard and conquer:
Then give a long cheer for Delta’s Men, We’re here to win again
Though our foes may fight to the end , FIJIS will win! (Repeat till all are on stage)
(Verse 2- sung when all are on stage, and harmony on third line.)
Phi Gamma Delta’s name means honor, glory;
Fight for her highest fame, Till we’re old and hoary;
Then give a long cheer for Delta’s Men
We’re here to win again. Though our foes may fight to the end
Fijis will win win win !
(Basses) PHI GAMMA DELTA, (All) ALL HAIL! ALL HAIL!
(Harmony is more important than shouting!)
Like Rare Old Wine (Tenors, Leads, Baritone. Bass chime in)
Like Rare, Like Rare, Like Rare, Like Rare Wine
Like rare old wine is friendship to me
Like rare old wine how mellow we’ll be
So let’s get together in harmony, in harmony.
FIJI ROSE alternate Leads with Everyone in harmony.
Leads: She has those dreamy eyes of blue, All: And a smile beyond compare,
Leads: Two ruby lips to greet you, All: and a wealth of golden hair, (tenors: golden hair)
Leads: She wears my pin, my Fiji pin, All: She’s the fairest flower that grows,
All: She’s my Phi Gamma Delta sweetheart, She’s my own little Fiji rose (harmonize, watch for S)
Here’s to Good Old Delta ( quiet and grow)
So—-Here’s to good old Delta drink her down, drink her down
Here’s to good old Delta drink her down, drink her down,
Here’s to good old Delta for she’s hearty and she’s healthy
Drink her down, drink here down, drink her down down down.
(quiet again) Phi Gamma Delta Delta, Phi Gamma Delta Delta,
Phi Gamma Delta, our Delta we adore.
(quiet again) With a Fiji ji ji ji, and Fiji ji ji ji ji, and a Fiji ji ji ji ji, and a Fiji ji ji ji ji.
Delta, Delta. Delta Delta. Phi Gamma Delta, our Delta we adore. END
Take a gentleman’s bow with me. Then a wave. Start signing again—
EXIT with March March on Down the Field- turn heads to audience as you walk.
March March on Down the Field
Like Rare Old Wine
[audiomp3=”https://rickrayfield.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/likerareoldwine.mp3″%5D%5B/audio%5D
She Has Those Dreamy Eyes of Blue/Fiji Rose …Bass
…Leads
…Tenors
We’ve Not Much Longer Here To Stay
Here’s to Good Old Delta
Wave the Flag for Old Chicago usually sung with March of the Maroons and C stands for Cherished Courage in medley
Wave the Flag
Wave the flag for old Chicago, maroon her color grand,
Ever shall our team be victors, known throughout the land (oom, rah rah)
With the grand old man to lead us, without a peer we’ll stand
Then wave again that dear old banner,
For their heroes every man.
March of the Maroons
Then we’ll plunge, plunge on through that line,
And fight for old Chicago’s fame.
Never advantage yield,
Chicago’s grit will win this game (will win thisgame)
As we roll up the score, the cheers resound from high and low
Then plunge through that line again, and go Chicago, GO GO GO.
C stands for Cherished Courage
C stand for cherished courage
H for her honor high
I for her iron-bond interest
C for her college cry- CHICAGO
A for aim so ardent
G for her Gallantry
O stands for-the Old Man, the best coach in this land,
The big C for Victory ! (perhaps repeat thoughtfully- The Big C for victory.)
For two traditional ribald additional verses to C Stands for Cherish Courage
see Gorf Thugsky )
******* PAST IS PROLOGUE *********************************
At our 100th Anniversary in 2002, we took the Best Overall Cup with this performance:
Words 2017 Fiji IF Sing
WE’VE NOT MUCH LONGER HERE TO STAY
We’ve not much longer here to stay — For in a month or two,
We’ll bid farewell to college days, — Hail Delta land anew.
DeltaLand, (build) Delta Land — Hurrah (get quiet) for the Royal hue.
We’ll bid farewell to college days– (nostalgic sweet) Hail Delta Land Anew.
(soft) With a Fi ji ji ji ji, (growing) And a Fi ji ji ji ji
(full, not loud) And a Fi ji ji ji ji ji ji And a Fi ji ji ji ji.
(Tenor/leads) Delta (Bass echo) Delta (Tenor/leads) Delta (Bass echo) Delta
(full harmony) Phi Gamma Delta, our Delta we adore.
Fiji Songs And here is a faint recording from 1941:
1941 COLLEGE DAYS and HONEYMOON 2017 improved transfer from 78 RPM disc
Holding the cups are Ed Bee and legendary songleader Solon Cousins
Download my rehearsal for old medley in a file right here, Fiji Songs including 2002 Centennial Performance
In 2014, by undergrad request, our concluding song was the Star Spangled Banner, sung crisply. The tune was an Ode to the ancient Greek poet Anacreon, and well-known in England and in our new nation. Star Spangled Banner click to play, or right click title above to download mp3
In 2015 and 2016, the undergrads proposed the medleys we sang.
This page is also an avenue to contact the singer Gorf Thugsky whose drinking songs and songs of immature sexual innuendo are, by sheer coincidence, familiar to me because of his association with the Chicago Fiji chapter. His 25 song album is titled
The Sexual Life of the Camel and 25 Other Naughty Songs
Go to Gorf’s page Password is color of the Pilgrim
Some old favorites from past Sings: PAST- not 2016
Star Spangled Banner, sung as two questions, not loudly, three part harmony on first three notes. Place right hand slowly on heart as we sing first three notes (two words). Hold harmony on word SAY. Make them wonder what we are doing.
O say……. can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last glea…ming,,,,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly strea…..ming???
(clipped) And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free(3) and the home (3) of the brave (2) ?
“Land” is short steady two syllables.. Do not sit on “the”- short.
HONEY-
Honey- Farewell My Fiji Island Babe-from my Chicago 1970-1980 memory – perhaps needs correcting- please send help
I could not find this song on the internet. Yet.
I have posted a rendition of it on my web site ww.RickRayfied.org/singing/fijisongsWhen college men their voices raise
To memories old, to college days.
Sing one refrain, then sing again,
To Honey that I love so well
.Honey, Honey, bless your heart (your heart)
You’re the Honey that I love so well
I dun been true my gal to you
You’re the Honey that I love so well
well well well.. Zum zum zumGoodbye my Honey Honey
Goodbye my love
Farewell my own true, very own true love
Never going to see you any more more moreGoodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye,
Goodbye my .. Goodbye my Fiji Island baby,
Farewell my own true love, true love, love, love love,
I’m going to sail away and leave you
Never to see you any- Never going to see you anymore.
I’m going to hop upon a ferry boat,
Never to return again, return again.
So long, Farewell, Goodbye my Honey Goodbye
Goodbye my Fiji Island, Goodbye,
Farewell My Fiji Island, Goodbye,
Goodbye my Fiji Island babe.
Fiji Island, Fiji Island, Fiji Island, Fiji Island Babe (Basses sing Fiji Island Babe)
RickRayfield 
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