Five years ago, I composed The Andover Blues in honor of our wonderful 25th Reunion
This year, I am offering up Blues for Reunion since the Class of 1990 will not be together for a marvelous weekend in a certain small town in Massachusetts
I can’t think of a time where we need my alma mater’s motto more
Non sibi
Not for self
Paul Revere, that midnight rider and silversmith, carved Non Sibi into a shining sun over a beehive representing hard work and industry on the school’s seal
I would show y’all the seal, but the Office of Communications has not given me permission. I don’t want to be a bad alumnus
I wrote these words not for myself, but for my beloved classmates
Since 1778 the place has been educating youth from every quarter, of which I am honored and privileged to be called one
Blues for Reunion
(To mark our postponed 30th)
We won’t be together on Andover Hill
Sister Rona forcing a very hard pill
To swallow and bear without each other
No hugging and kissing, Dear Sister, Dear Brother
For that’s what we are, a family in spirit
Go Blue! Beat Red! (Can’t we all hear it?)
No major gift to rival our last
Eight million dollars, which we all amassed
No midnight treks across the Great Lawn
Showing up young alums until the bright dawn
No Harrison’s run for a lahge mayo sos
No march to the Chapel to meet the new boss
No 80s Cover Band where we could boogie
No worm from Jared Jackson, The Doogie
No jamming and laughing in West Quad North
To be our HQ where’d we go back and forth
All over our beloved physical plant
Now because of Rona we can’t
Be with each other, those whom we love
Even those with whom we don’t fit like a glove
Bungs, heinous beavers, nerds, and cool kids
Even missing those who aren’t on the grids
Of coming to campus to fill hallowed spaces
We have the best class full of such graces
Ninety-one gird your loins; our class will bring it
Shit will be epic; totally lit
But on the 12th, I’ll miss y’all more than you know
You darling people……I love you so
Hamlin O’Kelley, PA ’90
Dad, what's for supper? 