For years I've been searching for the melody to my old school song. I nicked a copy of the words and kept it as a souvenir....70+ yrs ago.
I have no idea who composed it...or when... I'm guessing in the 1900's or earlier.. or think I would have found it.

It has 5 verses.

V1. When years have rolled behind us and back in times deep shade,
The distant days of boyhood grow fainter till they fade,
One memory we'll cherish, one name hold ever dear,
And through the darkening shadows our school shall stand yet clear.

Chorus:-
Persevere! Persevere! In work, in play, in life,
In rivalry of Nations, or boyhood's friendly strife,
The race goes to the eager, the laggard falls behind,
And ever to the bravest do fortune's smiles prove kind.

I thought about it last Sat when celebrating the 40th anniversary of its' closure with the Annual re-union!