In Our Lovely Deseret – BYU Version

 I wrote this little parody as a freshman living in Desert Towers -- DT -- at BYU. All of my friends would hang out after our carefully planned and executed themed group dates until the RAs kicked the boys out as the dorm was locked up for the night. As the months turned chilly, we got smart and had electric kettles boiling water for hot chocolate before midnight so we could all enjoy a warm drink when we were saying our long good byes outside. It became a bit of a tradition.

One night during finals week, I was avoiding my studies by skimming through our picture ward directory. Next thing you know I was making a list and connecting the dots. More than half our ward were dating each other! 

Thus a parody was born! 

I managed to get a few friends to sing it with me at a ward prayer including guitar accompaniment. News of spread through the ranks of stake bishops and many copies were requested. There were even rumors of people wanting to perform the song for a stake function the following year. Nothing came to fruition, but it is sort of thrilling to remember how popular my little ditty became for a very brief moment.

Oh, the cleverness of me!   

Enjoy

(The pictures were ones I drew in Microsoft Paint during freshman year to illustrate a poem about asking girls to free stake dances.)

In our lovely Deseret

Where our ward was formed and met

There’s a multitude of dating all around

Young men are handsome and brave

Part their hair and always shave

They must listen and obey the Bishop’s sound:

CHORUS:

Hark! Hark! Hark! The Bishop tells us,

Go on dates this Friday night

But be careful to be sure

For your missions please stay pure

While you date, you will prepare to preach the light

Men should not forget to pay

Open doors without delay

And their eyes to train and lusty passions bind

They should always be polite

And treat every lady right

And in every place be affable and kind

CHORUS

Some advice for all you girls

Trying on the lace and pearls

Ladies do your part to keep the young men pure

Pay attention to your dress

Wearing more and never less

Search for men who know the Lord and will endure

 CHORUS

At Brigham Young University

Dates don’t have to have a fee

Free stake dances and board games will do alright

Drink some cocoa to keep warm

While you’re locked outside your dorm

Give a handshake or a hug to close the night

CHORUS