Often called the most beloved and popular of college fraternity songs, "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" was written in 1911 by Byron D. Stokes and F. Dudleigh Vernor. Stokes had written the words while in class one June day that year, and presented them that afternoon to Vernor, who was practicing the piano in a local house, and composed the music at that time. The song has since become a favorite among ballroom orchestras and was used in two movie musicals of the same name, in 1933 and 1946. When asked about the song's inspiration, Stokes replied, "The 'Sweetheart' is the symbol for the spiritual ingredient in brotherhood. It was the Sigma Chi fraternity itself that inspired the song. I wrote the words not long after my initiation, and the magic of our Ritual with its poetic overtones and undertones was, I suppose, the source of my inspiration". The original musical composition remained on campus until 2007 when it was lost and not recovered. The song was first sung by Harry Clifford, who later drew the cover for the original sheet music published by Vernor's brother Harry Vernor. The song became a big band hit, has been performed in film and television, and continues to be recognized around the world. Through the years, many people have tried to pin the title of "original sweetheart" on many women; however, the two most likely candidates are Elsie Munro and Helen Beall Russell, who lived next to the old chapter house. Either way, since then the concept of the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi has gained popularity all across the world, with the adoption of sweethearts at every chapter and even an international sweetheart.
Bernie Schultz and his Crescent Orchestra recorded in Chicago July 19, 1927 for Gennett Records. Released as Gennett 6216 and later as Champion 15323, Challenge 759 and Bell 599
Ted Lewis and His Band "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" Columbia Records 1296-D
The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi Words by Byron D. Stokes, Albion 1913 When the world goes wrong, as it's bound to do And you've broken Dan Cupid's bow And you long for the girl you used to love the maid of the long ago Why light your pipe, bid sorrow avaunt, Blow the smoke from your altar of dreams And wreathe the face of your dream-girl there The love that is just what it seems. The girl of my dreams is the sweetest girl Of all the girls I know Each sweet co-ed, like a rainbow trail Fades in the after glow The blue of her eyes and the gold of her hair Are a blend of the western sky And the moonlight beams On the girl of my dreams She's the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. The girl of my dreams is the sweetest girl Of all the girls I know And the moon still beams On the girl of my dreams She's the sweetheart of Sigma Chi.
Movies
Ghost Story
Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
Deranged 1974 - Ezra Cobb sings this song as he drives his mother's exhumed corpse home from the cemetery.
Television
Who's the Boss: Mona Gets Pinned; Episode 4, Season 1; First aired: Tuesday October 30, 1984; Production Code: 0107 Sung by Dean Butler appearing as Jason and other "Fraternity Brothers"
"Murder, She Wrote": The last one-half of the song is sung "a capella" at the very beginning of the show where Jessica returns to her old Sorority house, with the House Mother played by Dinah Shore who has remained a close friend to Jessica. One of her favorite Professors and of many others is accused of murdering a member of the Sorority. Episode 15, Season 5; First aired: March 12, 1989.
