On! Straight on!
On! Straight on! On, Cottonians, On!
Muster on the side of right,
March like warriors to the fight,
Mark the foe, and strike with might,
Nec Dextrorsum, nec Sinistrorsum.
On! Straight on! On, Cottonians, On!
Keen alike in work and play,
Keen right through the hottest day,
Keen until your hair turns grey,
Nec Dextrorsum, nec Sinistrorsum.
On! Straight on! On, Cottonians, On!
Driving through the foaming main,
Buffeted by storm and rain,
Answering to the helm again,
Nec Dextrorsum, nec Sinistrorsum.
On! Straight on! On, Cottonians, On!
When you leave the good old school
Be no coward, knave, nor fool;
Yours be still the grand old rule,
Nec Dextrorsum, nec Sinistrorsum.
On! Straight on! On, Cottonians, On!
See this motto on your scroll
Point you to a heavenly goal,
Seek it body, mind and soul,
Nec Dextrorsum, nec Sinistrorsum.
Words by Rev. Herbert Pakenham-Walsh, Warden 1907–1913
Music by N.M. Saunders, Esq.