"Annie Lisle" is an 1857 ballad by Boston, Massachusetts songwriter H. S. Thompson, first published by Moulton & Clark of Newburyport, Massachusetts, and later by Oliver Ditson & Co. It is about the death of a young maiden, by what some have speculated to be tuberculosis. However, the lyric does not explicitly mention tuberculosis, or "consumption" as it was called then. The song might have slipped into obscurity had the tune not been adopted by countless colleges, universities, and high schools worldwide as their respective alma mater songs.

Lyrics

"Down where the waving willows 'Neath the sunbeams smile, Shadow'd o'er the murm'ring waters Dwelt sweet Annie Lisle; Pure as the forest lily, Never tho't of guile Had its home within the bosom Of sweet Annie Lisle. Chorus: Wave willows, murmur waters, Golden sunbeams, smile! Earthly music cannot waken Lovely Annie Lisle. Sweet came the hallow'd chiming Of the Sabbath bell, Borne on the morning breezes Down the woody dell. On a bed of pain and anguish Lay dear Annie Lisle, Chang'd were the lovely features, Gone the happy smile. Chorus "Raise me in your arms, O Mother; Let me once more look On the green and waving willows And the flowing brook. Hark! the sound of angel music From the choirs above! Dearest mother, I am going; Truly God is love." Chorus"

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