U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander presented the original “Tennessee Waltz” sheet music to the University of Tennessee as part of the dedication of the school’s new music building on Friday.

The “lead sheet” will be put on display in the new Natalie L. Haslam Music Center. Alexander, his wife Honey and three other couples made the gift as a surprise to the school’s namesake, who is the wife of James Haslam II and stepmother of Gov. Bill Haslam.

The lead sheet actually is the second copy of the song. The first version is said to have been written on a matchbox by Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart during a trip back to Nashville from Texas. Once home, they transferred the song to staff paper.

But giving the sheet music to the state university made sense for a couple of reasons.

First, “Tennessee Waltz” is one of the state’s official songs. Also, Alexander has been known to play the song while trying to woo voters on the campaign trail or when schmoozing corporate recruits at private dinner parties.

True to his reputation, Alexander performed the tune at the dedication.