Vivas Schola Regia

The Latin lyrics were written by the Rector, Dr. John Marshall, in 1895, and set to music by Sir Alexander Mackenzie, a former pupil of the school.

[3] It has been learnt by generations of Royal High Scholars, and the cultural historian John Bruce Barclay relates a well-known anecdote that testifies to its general currency: 'During the darkest period of the Second World War a watch on board a ship in a middle-east harbour was pacing the deck when he suddenly heard in the darkness the watch on another ship whistling a tune.

Quo in aevo tu vetusto Inter parva infans parvula Faustis tamen omnium votis Domicilio in angusto Cursum tuum ad honores Iniisti vaga, tremula - Refrain Tumgavisa est Doctrina Gaudent Leges, gaudent Artes; Matar enim tu bonorum Surgis altera Erycina Inter gratias atque Amoris Splendidas actura partes.

Omnium particeps honorum Surgas semper, neu compescas Studium tuum gloriae sacrum; Fausta sis, felix, beata!

Refrain Hac ex vita nos cesserimus, Nomen nostrum mox peribit; Sed in saecula mortis expers Tu manebis et veterrimus Honos tuus revirescens Juniores anteibit.

Let ambition, still unceasing, Lead where Duty weds with Pleasure, Glory seeking, yet in measure, Nought of base they thirst appeasing.

hearts’ united noising, And when years have told their story, And are youthful souls’ rejoicing Changes to an older voicing, Still we'll chant, though heads be hoary, Vivas Schola Regia!