Alma Mater

A beacon for two nations, our alma mater stands
Among clear flowing rivers, well blessed by nature’s hand.
Bright daughter of Acadia, true friend to woman and man
She calls our hearts, our spirits to serve all life, and lands.
Partons: La vie est belle, come sing the sweet refrain
That calls back sunlit memories of lessons learned in Maine.
That calls back sunlit memories of winter turned to spring.
May green and gold stay in our hearts: Forever UMFK!

The French melody, adopted for our alma mater, “Partons la mer est belle” originated in western France, in the Loire/lower Poitou area, now known as Vendée, where fishing was common. The song tells of a fisherman mourning the death of a relative or close friend.