THE SPIRIT
A stranger with the countenance of an angel walked by,
He stopped and stood in awe and sighed.
He cried to an Aggie working near,
"You're wasting your time if you're building here."
"Howdy, I'm a brown pot, my name is Christopher Breen,
I'm from Austin, Texas, can I help you with anything?"
"Oh no, young man, I was just passing by,
I'm from a place you may know that's nearby.
I heard the music and saw the light,
I thought I'd stop and see this site.
What use or purpose do you have in this task?"
"You cannot understand, if you have to ask.
There are some things which words cannot reveal,
Like this Spirit that all Aggies feel.
How can I tell you, what to me is quite plain?"
"I'd really like to know if you care to explain."
"Stacking these logs is not our real goal,
We're building the Aggie Spirit, that can ne'er be told.
I build for the Spirit, so the fire won't dim,
I build this Bonfire for her and him.
I build with a common purpose of unity,
I build my Spirit for all time and eternity.
To face the struggles of work and strife,
To meet my goals and feel the emotions of life.
To gain my education to learn and know,
What is hard work wherever I may go.
To forget myself and my own desires,
To learn team work, I build this fire.
To build endurance so I may never tire,
So I can set my goals that much higher.
You can't down trees without cutting some chips,
You can't dare to achieve without meeting some slips."
"I am still not certain that I understand."
"The best way to know is by lending a hand.
It's very hard work, all the sweat and tears,
I learn to overcome myself and my fears.
After working here it's more plain to see,
My Spirit says, ‘this is where I need to be.'
it's staying true to your school and friends,
It's about dedication to your aims and ends.
It's dreaming high and doing much,
It's the Aggie Spirit that our heart does touch.
It's having class and playing fair,
It's working through your dark despair.
It's striving and struggling to overcome life's stress,
It's building character, pride, and teaching success.
It's sharing sorrow, friendship, and mirth,
It's learning to build a better place on earth.
It's building the strength in our word and deed,
It's building the fire within us we all need.
Only by the Spirit can these truths be revealed,
Only by the Spirit can you know how I feel."
"I am starting to see why you take on this chore,
Do you care to explain to me some more?"
"Have you trudged through the snow against a wild, wintry breeze?
Have you walked on the beach and listened to the raging, roaring seas?
Have you rode west on a horse, toward the blazing, burning sun?
Can you think of something great that you've done?
Have you loved something so much that others think it unreal?
Have you ever been moved by a Spirit that's everlasting you feel?
Everyone in life must choose a path to go,
Aggies dream high while many others reach low.
For those who dare to reach so high,
They know the joy of this Spiritual tie.
Being an Aggie is more than a set of ideals,
It's the love and Spirit each of us feels.
The best teachers on earth teach us by deeds,
Live by their actions, and live by their creeds.
No words can dare describe this light,
Never has there been a flame more bright.
The Spirit will answer your question of Why?
Aggies build this traditional Bonfire so high."
"I see what you mean that it's hard to define,
I thank you for sharing with me your time."
"I'm feeling sore, but I must get back,
They need my help up on the stack.
Before you go, I'd like you to meet,
Some Aggies who are working on this feat.
This is Miranda Adams from Santa Fe,
To work on Bonfire, she's come a long way.
There's Jamie Hand who's crossing the street,
She's been working all night, you must definitely meet.
And Timothy Kerlee is from Tennessee,
He's the one over there who's busier than a bee.
Oh, there's so much to say about Bryan McClain,
He's the one who's there guiding the crane.
There's Michael Ebanks whose one smart guy,
He already has his pilot's license to fly.
There's Chad Powell and Nathan Scott West,
Two of the best who would rather work than rest.
There's Lucas Kimmel who's studying to be a vet,
One of the nicest guys I've ever met.
Christopher Heard is a proud member of the Corps,
He's always asking to do much more.
Here comes Jerry Self who has a fire in his soul,
He has a huge heart that's made of gold.
There's Jeremy Frampton with the big smile,
Over there working on the log pile."
"Well, the time has come for me to go,
I hope your Spirit will continue to grow.
I see you found the secret to life and happiness,
It's not in the earthly things that we possess.
What matters is love, friendship, and class,
For everything else will certainly pass.
There are certain things we wish would not end,
Like the love that we have for a very good friend.
Make the most of your life of what there is,
Make the most of your time with the ones you'll miss.
There's so much to say, where can one stop,
Just never give up, reach for the top.
I'm glad we both had this short time to talk,
You get to your work, and I'll get on with my walk."
"I hope that we meet again someday."
"Yes, I'm certain, you'll soon pass my way.
I need good people to help me build somewhere."
"You just give the word, and we'll all be there."
"Yes, I'm sure the call will shortly come,
When your mission here in life is done."
My prayer is such that my verse may avail,
The fleeting years will not our memory fail.
In years to come, this story Aggies will convey,
Of this brave group, great things they will say.
They labored long in the ninety-ninth year,
To build their Spirit which they hold most dear.
They did not ask nor want to be praised,
They only wanted our Spirits to be raised.
The events of their time will go down in lore,
Along with their Spirit and Esprit de Corps.
There will come a time when we cease to live,
It will be asked, "What did you give?"
It will be said, "They did more than their part,
They gave their life, their love, their heart."
There comes a time when a journey you make,
No matter the many perils you may partake.
You'll take up the banner, for a great cause,
Fight for what's right, no matter the cost.
You'll go forward in future's uncertain way,
You'll go forward seeking a brighter day.
The Aggies will reap what they have sown,
Because of their lives our Spirits have grown.
If only I had the power to write,
The thoughts within my heart this night,
The words I'd say, both loud and true,
"I am proud to be an Aggie too!"
We thank you for teaching us the meaning of life,
And how to deal with hardship, suffering and strife.
There were so many who asked, "What can I do?"
The twelve answered, "Just build a better you!"
A stranger with the countenance of an angel walked by,
He stopped and stood in awe and sighed.
He cried to an Aggie working near,
"You're wasting your time if you're building here."
"Howdy, I'm a brown pot, my name is Christopher Breen,
I'm from Austin, Texas, can I help you with anything?"
"Oh no, young man, I was just passing by,
I'm from a place you may know that's nearby.
I heard the music and saw the light,
I thought I'd stop and see this site.
What use or purpose do you have in this task?"
"You cannot understand, if you have to ask.
There are some things which words cannot reveal,
Like this Spirit that all Aggies feel.
How can I tell you, what to me is quite plain?"
"I'd really like to know if you care to explain."
"Stacking these logs is not our real goal,
We're building the Aggie Spirit, that can ne'er be told.
I build for the Spirit, so the fire won't dim,
I build this Bonfire for her and him.
I build with a common purpose of unity,
I build my Spirit for all time and eternity.
To face the struggles of work and strife,
To meet my goals and feel the emotions of life.
To gain my education to learn and know,
What is hard work wherever I may go.
To forget myself and my own desires,
To learn team work, I build this fire.
To build endurance so I may never tire,
So I can set my goals that much higher.
You can't down trees without cutting some chips,
You can't dare to achieve without meeting some slips."
"I am still not certain that I understand."
"The best way to know is by lending a hand.
It's very hard work, all the sweat and tears,
I learn to overcome myself and my fears.
After working here it's more plain to see,
My Spirit says, ‘this is where I need to be.'
it's staying true to your school and friends,
It's about dedication to your aims and ends.
It's dreaming high and doing much,
It's the Aggie Spirit that our heart does touch.
It's having class and playing fair,
It's working through your dark despair.
It's striving and struggling to overcome life's stress,
It's building character, pride, and teaching success.
It's sharing sorrow, friendship, and mirth,
It's learning to build a better place on earth.
It's building the strength in our word and deed,
It's building the fire within us we all need.
Only by the Spirit can these truths be revealed,
Only by the Spirit can you know how I feel."
"I am starting to see why you take on this chore,
Do you care to explain to me some more?"
"Have you trudged through the snow against a wild, wintry breeze?
Have you walked on the beach and listened to the raging, roaring seas?
Have you rode west on a horse, toward the blazing, burning sun?
Can you think of something great that you've done?
Have you loved something so much that others think it unreal?
Have you ever been moved by a Spirit that's everlasting you feel?
Everyone in life must choose a path to go,
Aggies dream high while many others reach low.
For those who dare to reach so high,
They know the joy of this Spiritual tie.
Being an Aggie is more than a set of ideals,
It's the love and Spirit each of us feels.
The best teachers on earth teach us by deeds,
Live by their actions, and live by their creeds.
No words can dare describe this light,
Never has there been a flame more bright.
The Spirit will answer your question of Why?
Aggies build this traditional Bonfire so high."
"I see what you mean that it's hard to define,
I thank you for sharing with me your time."
"I'm feeling sore, but I must get back,
They need my help up on the stack.
Before you go, I'd like you to meet,
Some Aggies who are working on this feat.
This is Miranda Adams from Santa Fe,
To work on Bonfire, she's come a long way.
There's Jamie Hand who's crossing the street,
She's been working all night, you must definitely meet.
And Timothy Kerlee is from Tennessee,
He's the one over there who's busier than a bee.
Oh, there's so much to say about Bryan McClain,
He's the one who's there guiding the crane.
There's Michael Ebanks whose one smart guy,
He already has his pilot's license to fly.
There's Chad Powell and Nathan Scott West,
Two of the best who would rather work than rest.
There's Lucas Kimmel who's studying to be a vet,
One of the nicest guys I've ever met.
Christopher Heard is a proud member of the Corps,
He's always asking to do much more.
Here comes Jerry Self who has a fire in his soul,
He has a huge heart that's made of gold.
There's Jeremy Frampton with the big smile,
Over there working on the log pile."
"Well, the time has come for me to go,
I hope your Spirit will continue to grow.
I see you found the secret to life and happiness,
It's not in the earthly things that we possess.
What matters is love, friendship, and class,
For everything else will certainly pass.
There are certain things we wish would not end,
Like the love that we have for a very good friend.
Make the most of your life of what there is,
Make the most of your time with the ones you'll miss.
There's so much to say, where can one stop,
Just never give up, reach for the top.
I'm glad we both had this short time to talk,
You get to your work, and I'll get on with my walk."
"I hope that we meet again someday."
"Yes, I'm certain, you'll soon pass my way.
I need good people to help me build somewhere."
"You just give the word, and we'll all be there."
"Yes, I'm sure the call will shortly come,
When your mission here in life is done."
My prayer is such that my verse may avail,
The fleeting years will not our memory fail.
In years to come, this story Aggies will convey,
Of this brave group, great things they will say.
They labored long in the ninety-ninth year,
To build their Spirit which they hold most dear.
They did not ask nor want to be praised,
They only wanted our Spirits to be raised.
The events of their time will go down in lore,
Along with their Spirit and Esprit de Corps.
There will come a time when we cease to live,
It will be asked, "What did you give?"
It will be said, "They did more than their part,
They gave their life, their love, their heart."
There comes a time when a journey you make,
No matter the many perils you may partake.
You'll take up the banner, for a great cause,
Fight for what's right, no matter the cost.
You'll go forward in future's uncertain way,
You'll go forward seeking a brighter day.
The Aggies will reap what they have sown,
Because of their lives our Spirits have grown.
If only I had the power to write,
The thoughts within my heart this night,
The words I'd say, both loud and true,
"I am proud to be an Aggie too!"
We thank you for teaching us the meaning of life,
And how to deal with hardship, suffering and strife.
There were so many who asked, "What can I do?"
The twelve answered, "Just build a better you!"