There is a rich tradition at the core of Aggieland,
The center pole runs deep into the ground on which we stand.
Every Aggie on this earth well knows the meaning and the yearn
To stand around this marvel, light the torch, and watch it burn.

The week of Final Push, in the year of '99
A crew of Ags worked through the night to set the stacks on time.
But something happened that November, and the news spread through the land,
The Texas Aggie Bonfire had collapsed with all on hand.

At first the shocking tragedy had taken back the crew,
But when the Fightin Aggie Spirit rose, they knew what to do.
The 12th Man gathered round, not just to hope and pray,
But like the final day of cut, they hauled the logs away.

Battered, bruised and broken, they took them one by one,
Twelve pots lay on the ground, each a daughter or a son.
They weren't in the stands that year to watch the Aggies play,
But if they were I bet I know what all of them would say:

"I'm proud to be an Aggie, even more than I did then,
And I'm proud of Aggie Bonfire and the spirit held within.
So keep this fire burning in your hearts you know so well,
And when we play t.u., we're going to beat them all to Hell!"

I know they're looking down on us, their souls are filled with pride,
'Cause even though the Bonfire fell, the Spirit never died.
And when you gaze into the fire, and your heart begins to swell,
Remember those twelve Aggies, that were there, when Bonfire fell.

J.S. Browning