Why "Carmen" House?
What's behind the name?
Early in the 20th Century, an Ohio State freshman named Fred Cornell decided to write the lyrics to what would later become The Ohio State University's alma mater: Carmen Ohio.
In Spanish, "Carmen" can be translated as "hymn" or "poem." It is likely that the word "Carmen" was chosen because Cornell borrowed a tune from a Christian hymnal, the Spanish Hymn, for his adapted lyrics. In Cornell's own words:
"The ease of singing the Spanish Hymn accounts for much of its use... Other music was considered and discharged, both original and adapted; all of us know the hymn... There is a real and lasting quality about such simple harmonies that lends dignity to the phrases."
Today, just about every Buckeye is still familiar with the tune of Carmen Ohio, yet few us would remember its origin.
As a Christian Hymn in many hymnals, a common set of lyrics to the Spanish Hymn would have been Psalm 25. This Psalm, including the first line of the song, prove to be filled with meaning for a Christian Study Center on the doorstep of Ohio State:
"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul." (Ps. 25:1 ESV)
Our use of the name "Carmen" points to the vision that all of life, including life at the university, could be aimed at lifting up our soul to the presence of God.
To learn more about how you could help support the launch of Carmen House Christian Study Center, click here: