'Twas the night after finals
During the Yule Log Ceremony Dec. 13, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler read her very first rendition of “’Twas the Night After Finals,” a tradition set in place by her predecessor Sam Sadler. The long, rhyming poem is updated each year to reflect current events at the College. The text of Ambler's version of the poem is below. - Ed.
‘Twas the night after finals,
And all through the college
Not a creature was stirring.
They were too stuffed with knowledge.
The blue books were hung
On the dorm walls with care
In hopes that good grades
Would soon appear there.
Bills and Marys were nestled
All snug in their beds,
While dreams of aced finals
Danced round in their heads.
The delis and Green Leafe
Had shut down their taps,
And we’d all settled in
For our well-deserved naps.
When out on Wren Lawn
There arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed
To see what was the matter.
A thunderous noise
Had interrupted my dream
Was it a cappella singers?
Or this fall’s primal scream?
Away to the window
I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters
And threw up the sash.
I heard frolicking sounds
As young folks skipped along
Proclaiming with glee
“The smell in Tucker is gone!”
The laughter and joy
Was a sound to behold,
But alas, not for long –
The smell’s back so I’m told.
With the moon shining bright
On our campus that night
‘Twas a place of such beauty
I paused for the sight.
And yet we now know
It will be better yet
With a gift of $6 million
A new career center we’ll get.
Then down Richmond Road
A van fleet did appear
‘Twas that fine student crew
Giving rides though Steer Clear
With an army of drivers
So many in sight
I was reminded – oh, yes –
This was a Mug Night!
Then, what to my wondering
Eyes should appear
But a ramshackle sleigh
And eight tiny reindeer
(The economy’s downturn
And state budget skimming
Means Santa’s made do
With few newer trimmings!)
With a little old driver
In a new suit-to-fit
Why, he sounded like Reveley
With that succulent wit.
More rapid than streakers
Those reindeer they came,
And he whistled and shouted
And called them by name:
“Now Basketball, now SOMOS,
Now Baseball, now IR.
on Democrats, on Republicans
on P-Mex and Choir.
He circled and circled,
His brow creased with dismay –
Is there really no parking place
For this Tribe sleigh?!
But it didn’t take long
For a smile to appear
As Saint Nick gave some thought
To the fall of this year.
With its great football season –
Our team really rocks!
And the pride they’ve inspired’s
Too big for a box!
Tribe’s registered voters
In record-high number
Made this year’s election
One all will remember
“Yes We Can,” “Country First,”
Joes Plummer and Six-Pack
Civic Engagement here’s awesome
You all have that knack.
So up to the roof tops
His coursers they flew
After stopping at Wawa
For a Red Bull or two.
First to Mason’s new cupola
Then to Swem he did call
For quiet on the 3rd floor
No flip flops at all!
‘Twas the place to which
studious students had run
all semester with laptops
and G-chat for fun.
But then, in a twinkling
I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of
Each little hoof.
As I drew in my head
And was turning around
Down the chimney
Saint Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed not in fur.
But wore green and gold.
It seems that Tribe Pride
Had reached the North Pole.
A bundle of gifts he flung
Down from his sleigh
So he looked like a tourist
On Prime Outlet sale day.
His eyes how they twinkled
And sparkled with glee
As he read “Sadler Center”
On new signs at UC.
He smiled for our students,
The finest around,
Who learn as they serve
From the ‘Burg to Cape Town.
And an anniversary grand
Don’t you know it, my dears?
Tribe women have been here
For now 90 years!
Saint Nick thought a lot
About his gifts for the year.
He pondered, then knew
What we needed to hear.
He made a great banner
And placed it on Blow
“This is the best college
Where any could go!”
He spoke not a word
But went door to door
Leaving job offers for seniors
And grad admits by the score.
Then, laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod,
Up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh
To his team gave a yell
And away they all flew
Like the ducks on Crim Dell.
But we heard him exclaim,
As that sleigh flew away
“You’re the BEST, William and Mary,
You each get an ‘A’!”
Happy Holidays!
