The Lords of the Camus
By E.Wilson, 1887
In 1887 the College rejoiced in another outstanding achievement. In the Classical Tripos Agnata Ramsay was the only candidate to be placed in the first division of the First Class. ( The class list shows that there were 5 men in the second division, and 7 in the third division of Class I.)
This astonishing result attracted a lot of outside publicity: the Punch cartoon, by du Maurier entitled Honour to Agnata Ramsay! still hangs in the Front Hall. For a time there were high hopes that the admission of women to degrees might follow but sadly these hopes were frustrated.
The chorus of the song, with its reference to Pindar and pi, reflects very neatly Emily Davies’s conviction that Mathematics and Classics were the major Tripos courses.
The last verse refers to the various University examinations. the Little-Go was the popular name for the Previous Examination, the Mays were later renamed the Preliminary examinations.
Tune: Bonnie Dundee
Lyrics
To the Lords of the Camus, ‘twas Girton who cried,
“You call me a College, but one thing’s denied;”
Then let each fusty don feel his duty to be,
That women should speedily get the degree.
Chorus:
Come grant me the B., come grant me the A.;
Come make me your equal without more delay;
Then let each learned maid who loved Pindar or pi,
Let her hasten to Girton that standeth on high.
For Girton has shown us again and again
That her students can equal, nay distance the men;
And Cambridge perplexed says, “I fear it is plain
That we’ll have to cave in if she keeps up this strain.”
Chorus:
etc.
There are dons beyond Cambridge and brains beyond Caius;
If you’ve men by the Cam, we have maids by the leas;
And hard-working students full six score and three
Will cry “Justice to Girton; come grant the degree!”
Chorus:
etc.
Then away to the Tripos, Little-Go, Mays;
The plough-share shall never the College debase.
Then tremble, ye dons, in the midst of your glee,
For you’ve not heard the last of my students and me.
Chorus:
etc.