They Say About Aggie Spirit...

From The Outside In, You Cannot Understand It.
From the Inside Out, You Cannot Explain It.

But If You Stand At This Fence And For a Few Minutes... Fight The Overwhelming Feeling Of Sorrow, Grief And Loss Mixed With Love, Pride, Honor, And Respect, You Have A Pretty Good Idea.

... And The 12th Man Gave Up Twelve,
For All To Remember Forever,
God Loves The Texas Aggies.

Nobody ever drowned in their own sweat.

Running saves an hour a day.

Someone said this a while back but I like it...

"Bonfire built me, more than I built it."

Also from a B-1 Pot:

"LIKE HELL WE CAN'T"

BTHO Bonfire 2004

First In, Last Out

"Nothing flips like a Deere." - Paul Mountain

Last in, First out....when's lunch???

The entire Neely yell.

It would make Jenna Jameson blush.

Yellow-96 - Spoken like a true OCA Hall member.


[This message has been edited by Texas Yarddog (edited 9/28/2004 11:50a).]

Kill the frats and **** t.u.

"Bonfire"

You are more than a bunch of logs,
Cut, stacked, and tied.
You are part of Aggie tradition,
A source of Aggie pride.

You are more than backache and blisters,
Blood, sweat, and tears.
You are a way we build our character,
A way to overcome fears.

You are more than father-son cut
On a dreary, rainy day.
You unite the young and the old,
Your flames lighting the way.

You are more than a tree on our shoulders,
Carried at cut site or stack.
You shoulder our vision and our dreams,
For as Aggies, we lead the pack.

You are more than an orange outhouse,
Sitting atop a centerpole.
You are part of the center of each of us,
Part of our life, our heart, our soul.

You are more than brown pots and red,
More than non-regs and corps.
You build leaders for our state and our nation,
Leaders for peace or for war.

You are more than a burning desire
To 'beat the hell outta t.u.'
You embody a 'Spirit untold,'
A Spirit alive and true.

You are more than a Thanksgiving tradition,
That we cannot fully explain.
You are a sacrifice of time and lives,
A source of wonder and pain.

You are more than just coming together,
More than a helping hand.
You are more than just Bonfire.
You bond the Spirit of Aggieland.

Steve Goodman, '81

Hagen has a good one, but you can't forget the Moses bonfire song.

or the Moses 3rd floor yell

Remember them
motionside.com/fire.wmv

NEELEY WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodbye Puryear, So long Law
Say hello to the wrecking ball.


Pee You Ess Ess Wye
Pee You Ess Ess Wye
AAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!
Go home, *******!

I'll have to modify it a little to be able to post it but you all know what I mean.

"We are heathens, We are thugs, We love women, We give hugs"

Moses Hall R A B's we're raiders of the night
We're dirty sons of b**ches
we'd rather f**ck than fight.

"outstanding red team....get ya a case a beer for that one"

BTHOMHRABB

Mothers at the Wood
by Taylor Marshall

Tears fall like the logs and roll from our eyes
The Twelfth Man confirmed, our yells turn to sighs
Mothers all weep for children not living
Twelve empty places set for Thanksgiving

Weeping so hard suffocating on breath
Mourning the truth - we all owe God a death
Our days are numbered, to each shall death call
In proper time, our own stack will fall

But listen close to the poets good news
'Twas taught on Sunday to those in the pews
Long before children fell pinned in the wood
At another log, a sad mother stood

God's curse tumbled down, her boy crushed beneath
He bore such a weight, great sin and our grief
So salty-cheeked classmates, please come with me
Grasp God's dear Son and have a rest at His tree!

"The Bonfire"

What is the "Bonfire" they have asked again and again of me.
It is something to define, it is something you must see.
It is working together and giving of time, it is blood, it is sweat, it is tears.
It is part of a tradition, a spirit untold, that will strengthen us down through the years.
It is pressure and pride - a friend by your side, to hand you an axe or a saw.
It is backache and pain, that seems to remain, it is blisters that always stay raw.
It is denying yourself, and the ones that you love, it is working when muscles say "NO!"
There's a job to be done and you are the one, whose job it is to say "GO!"
But no more than all this, it's a hug and a kiss, when the fire fills the night sky with light.
The crowd starts to sing, and the "war hymn" does ring; you regale in the pride of done right.
When you step back and look at the commitment it took, you feel proud to have met the demands.
The building of strength and the strongest link, of the "SPIRIT OF AGGIELAND."

BUILD THE HELL OUTTA BONFIRE!

(by Bruce Smith, Davis Gary class of '88, but usually listed as by "Anonymous" )


DYG
http://hogs.tamu.edu

In 1999 just after bonfire fell. Someone wrote a poem and posted it on the web. It had something to do "with the other side of the tracks". It talked about the 12 that died and they always knew heaven was just beyond the tracks. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had a copy of that poem.

Shouldn't that be Pat Mountain?

quote:

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In 1999 just after bonfire fell. Someone wrote a poem and posted it on the web. It had something to do "with the other side of the tracks". It talked about the 12 that died and they always knew heaven was just beyond the tracks. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had a copy of that poem.

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Are you referring to this one?

quote:

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In the late afternoon on November 17, 1999, an Aggie Cadet came back from class, threw his books on his bed, and began rummaging through all his belongings searching for his bonfire pot. He finally found it under the bed, hastily shoved there in anticipation of an inspection that day. He changed into his bonfire grodes and crammed his pot on down his head. Feeling good about where he was going, the Cadet quickly made his way down the quadrangle, through the arches and past the memorial on the plaza in honor of those whose lives had been taken in time of war. On the other side of campus, another Ag shoved his heel into his work boots and hurriedly ran the laces through the eyelets, sending up a puff of dust and dirt that had accumulated from the prior day's work.. He strode out the door and walked to the Memorial Student Center, where it is forbidden to walk across the grass out of respect for those who have passed on. Taking care of some last minute errands, the Ag headed out the front doors of the MSC across from the drill field, past the memorial at the entrance that honored still more who had fallen in defense of the nation. Upon reaching the edge of the drill field, he broke into a quick shuffle and decided to cut across the grass, which was respected but not as sacred as that surrounding the MSC, not half aware that to his left was yet another solitary, solemn memorial standing at the west entrance to campus. The day had only begun for this man who was on his way to bonfire. After crossing the field, he walked diagonally across the street and down the sidewalk past the Academic Building, in which another good Ag sat in a classroom, starring out the window while the professor's words moved through the air. The words provoked little interest, causing her attentiveness to turn toward the statue of Sul Ross standing out in front of the building where Silver Taps was held each month. It was such a wonderful fall day outside. The leaves had turned brown and yellow and red. People were outside talking and smiling to each other, sitting on benches reading books or in the grass watching everyone else go by. She thought she would stand up and leave; she wanted to be out there where things were happening. And so she did, without saying a word, while the professor simultaneously continued his lecture and tracked her with his eyes as she quietly walked out of the room. The young Ag walked outside and thought what a good idea it would be to go out to bonfire. That is where things were happening, she thought. Hundreds of other Aggies went through similar routines that afternoon; determined, though unsuspecting of any catastrophic event and certainly not contemplating death, although they were surrounded by remembrances of those Aggies, young and old, whose lives had met this unfortunate certainty. There were Ags who, though no longer students, returned back to campus that day to simply participate in bonfire and maybe, even for a night, be what they once were. It was like any other day in Aggieland. Everyone willing and able converged on the bonfire, drawing in deep breaths of air laced with the sweet smell of smoke from the post oak and cedar elm burning in the perimeter fires. They pulled on gloves and some put wads of cheap tobacco in their cheeks. Others grabbed food and water from the tables. They all worked and they all worked hard, past sunset and into the night. The soundtrack to "Patton" blared over the loudspeaker amid the ethereal glow of the flood lights and perimeter fires. Cranes grunted and heaved. People yelled at barked orders, signaling the cranes to move the logs a few feet, and then a fraction of an inch. Pliers snapped excess wire as each log was fastened into place. Hands were extended to pull relief workers up on to stack while good friends sat together on logs to rest and take stock of what they had done. People were covered in dirt and grime and smoke and it was all good. Then, without warning, there was an awful, horrific noise followed by a flash of white light. Twelve Ags, men and women, were walking side by side in a confident, jocular gate. Some had their pots tilted back on their heads and others carried them under arm. No one was fully cognizant of the surroundings. Their loose strides changed to a slow march as they approached a distant figure sitting next to a gate. They stopped abruptly within a short distance from the figure and fixed their gazes upon him. Without saying a word, each one had realized that they were staring at St. Peter. "Excuse me, Sir?" said one of the Aggies, stepping forward. "Yes?" replied St. Peter. "We're Aggies. We've been working on bonfire. You see, every year we build this huge fire," "I know," interrupted St. Peter with a warm smile. "We watch it from up here." St. Peter opened the gate and motioned them to go in, but everyone stood motionless. "Why do you stall?" asked St. Peter. The Aggie who had stepped forward looked down at his torn clothes and worn boots. "It is by the grace of God that you enter these gates, and no other reason. Do not fret over what you wear, because those threads represent more virtue than most men's souls will ever know. Now, pass through the gate." They all walked through, arms around each other, laughing and smiling. One of the Aggies remarked, "You know, I didn't realize that this place was part of campus." "I did," replied another Ag. "I always suspected that it was somewhere across the rail road tracks."

Mike Geeslin '91

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"12 Ags Cross the Tracks" was one of my favorites. The one below was also one of my favorites.

quote:

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The Spirit

A stranger with the countenance of an angel walked by,
He stopped and stood in awe and sighed.
He cried to an Aggie working near,
"You're wasting your time if you're building here."

"Howdy, I'm a brown pot, my name is Christopher Breen,
I'm from Austin, Texas, can I help you with anything?"
"Oh no, young man, I was just passing by,
I'm from a place you may know that's nearby.

I heard the music and saw the light,
I thought I'd stop and see this site.
What use or purpose do you have in this task?"
"You cannot understand, if you have to ask.

There are some things which words cannot reveal,
Like this Spirit that all Aggies feel.
How can I tell you, what to me is quite plain?"
"I'd really like to know if you care to explain."

"Stacking these logs is not our real goal,
We're building the Aggie Spirit, that can ne'er be told.
I build for the Spirit, so the fire won't dim,
I build this Bonfire for her and him.

I build with a common purpose of unity,
I build my Spirit for all time and eternity.
To face the struggles of work and strife,
To meet my goals and feel the emotions of life.

To gain my education to learn and know,
What is hard work wherever I may go.
To forget myself and my own desires,
To learn team work, I build this fire.

To build endurance so I may never tire,
So I can set my goals that much higher.
You can't down trees without cutting some chips,
You can't dare to achieve without meeting some slips."

"I am still not certain that I understand."
"The best way to know is by lending a hand.
It's very hard work, all the sweat and tears,
I learn to overcome myself and my fears.

After working here it's more plain to see,
My Spirit says, 'this is where I need to be.'
It's staying true to your school and friends,
It's about dedication to your aims and ends.

It's dreaming high and doing much,
It's the Aggie Spirit that our heart does touch.
It's having class and playing fair,
It's working through your dark despair.

It's striving and struggling to overcome life's stress,
It's building character, pride, and teaching success.
It's sharing sorrow, friendship, and mirth,
It's learning to build a better place on earth.

It's building the strength in our word and deed,
It's building the fire within us we all need.
Only by the Spirit can these truths be revealed,
Only by the Spirit can you know how I feel."

"I am starting to see why you take on this chore,
Do you care to explain to me some more?"
"Have you trudged through the snow against a wild,wintry breeze?
Have you walked on the beach and listened to the raging, roaring seas?

Have you rode west on a horse, toward the blazing,burning sun?
Can you think of something great that you've done?
Have you loved something so much that others think it unreal?
Have you ever been moved by a Spirit that'severlasting you feel?

Everyone in life must choose a path to go,
Aggies dream high while many others reach low.
For those who dare to reach so high,
They know the joy of this Spiritual tie.

Being an Aggie is more than a set of ideals,
It's the love and Spirit each of us feels.
The best teachers on earth teach us by deeds,
Live by their actions, and live by their creeds.

No words can dare describe this light,
Never has there been a flame more bright.
The Spirit will answer your question of Why?
Aggies build this traditional Bonfire so high."
"I see what you mean that it's hard to define,
I thank you for sharing with me your time."
"I'm feeling sore, but I must get back,
They need my help up on the stack.

Before you go, I'd like you to meet,
Some Aggies who are working on this feat.
This is Miranda Adams from Santa Fe,
To work on Bonfire, she's come a long way.

There's Jamie Hand who's crossing the street,
She's been working all night, you must definitely meet.
And Timothy Kerlee is from Tennessee,
He's the one over there who's busier than a bee.

Oh, there's so much to say about Bryan McClain,
He's the one who's there guiding the crane.
There's Michael Ebanks whose one smart guy,
He already has his pilot's license to fly.

There's Chad Powell and Nathan Scott West,
Two of the best who would rather work than rest.
There's Lucas Kimmel who's studying to be a vet,
One of the nicest guys I've ever met.

Christopher Heard is a proud member of the Corps,
He's always asking to do much more.
Here comes Jerry Self who has a fire in his soul,
He has a huge heart that's made of gold.

There's Jeremy Frampton with the big smile,
Over there working on the log pile."
"Well, the time has come for me to go,
I hope your Spirit will continue to grow.

I see you found the secret to life and happiness,
It's not in the earthly things that we possess.
What matters is love, friendship, and class,
For everything else will certainly pass.

There are certain things we wish would not end,
Like the love that we have for a very good friend.
Make the most of your life of what there is,
Make the most of your time with the ones you'll miss.

There's so much to say, where can one stop,
Just never give up, reach for the top.
I'm glad we both had this short time to talk,
You get to your work, and I'll get on with my walk."

"I hope that we meet again someday."
"Yes, I'm certain, you'll soon pass my way.
I need good people to help me build somewhere."
"You just give the word, and we'll all be there."

"Yes, I'm sure the call will shortly come,
When your mission here in life is done."
My prayer is such that my verse may avail,
The fleeting years will not our memory fail.


In years to come, this story Aggies will convey,
Of this brave group, great things they will say.
They labored long in the ninety-ninth year,
To build their Spirit which they hold most dear.

They did not ask nor want to be praised,
They only wanted our Spirits to be raised.
The events of their time will go down in lore,
Along with their Spirit and Esprit de Corps.

There will come a time when we cease to live,
It will be asked, "What did you give?"
It will be said, "They did more than their part,
They gave their life, their love, their heart."

There comes a time when a journey you make,
No matter the many perils you may partake.
You'll take up the banner, for a great cause,
Fight for what's right, no matter the cost.

You'll go forward in future's uncertain way,
You'll go forward seeking a brighter day.
The Aggies will reap what they have sown,
Because of their lives our Spirits have grown.

If only I had the power to write,
The thoughts within my heart this night,
The words I'd say, both loud and true,"
I am proud to be an Aggie too!"

We thank you for teaching us the meaning of life,
And how to deal with hardship, suffering and strife.
There were so many who asked, "What can I do?"
The twelve answered, "Just build a better you!"

- Paul D. Gallego '76

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Paul is a poster here on TexAgs. He is GhostRider76.

ttt

Wow, those are great.

Printed, folded, and placed in my pot for motivation this weekend.

Thanks for the great words.

-------------------------------------------------------
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

"Bonfire...for those who remember, for those who will never forget, and for a whole new generation."

"...and we scorched the earth, set fire to the sky, and we stoop so low to reach so high"



I stole these from movies and songs and I've posted them before, but who cares.

Motivating people to come out

"Your heart may belong to Aggieland, but come the weekend, your *** is mine!"

"I'm glad to be going to a school where the men like women and the women like men

Dan Campbell
Bonfire 1998

"Wire, wire, wire! If it ain't tight, IT AIN'T RIGHT!"

"We only burn it to make room for next year's stack"

"Everyone cheered when we lit Bonfire. I cried."



-------------------------------------------------------
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

My old lady told me stories about Bonfire '94-'97 all the time (since I arrived in '98.)

He once related that a young lady (and female CT) grew a little tired while cutting and yelled, "I don't need fresh meat; I need motivation. This tree is gonna die!"

One of her buddies yelled at full volume:
"SOMEWHERE IN AUSTIN, THERE's A HIPPIE FRAT BOY. HE'S SIPPIN' TEA AND SMOKIN' POT AND COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW WE'RE KILLING FORESTS AND "CAN'T WE ALL BE GAY LITTLE GREENPEACE ECO-FRIENDS." IF HE SAW YOU NOW, HE'D SIT DOWN AND WEEP. MAKE THAT SISSY ***GOT CRY! KILL THAT TREE! KILL THAT TREE! BEAT THE HELL OUTTA t.u!"

"HEADACHE!"

To those who wonder where my new source of motivation has come from:

As I was leaving for a stack shift:

"Daaaaad, I wanna Bonfire with you."
--Fisher Coker. Age: 3.5 years.

One day, Son.

Scott Coker '92