July 4th Weekend 2017: Before The Star Spangled Banner

Prior to 1931 and the selection of The Star Spangled Banner as an official national anthem, the United States used any number of patriotic songs to meet the need on holidays and other special occasions. One of the most popular of these was "Hail, Columbia," composed by Phillip Phile in 1789 as The President's March for George Washington's inauguration as our first president. Lyrics by Joseph Hopkinson were added in 1798. Today, Hail, Columbia is the official song for the Vice-President of the United States.

1861 music score cover for HAIL COLUMBIA

In honor of Independence Day, here is your opportunity to listen to the song honored as America's own for almost 150 years.

The words are patriotic and powerful as they should be for any rousing march:

Hail Columbia, happy land!
Hail, ye heroes, heav'n-born band,
Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,
Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,
And when the storm of war was gone
Enjoy'd the peace your valor won.
Let independence be our boast,
Ever mindful what it cost;Ever grateful for the prize,
Let its altar reach the skies.

Chorus:

Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.

Immortal patriots, rise once more,
Defend your rights, defend your shore!
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Invade the shrine where sacred lies
Of toil and blood, the well-earned prize,
While off'ring peace, sincere and just,
In Heaven's we place a manly trust,
That truth and justice will prevail,
And every scheme of bondage fail.

Chorus

Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.

Behold the chief who now commands,
Once more to serve his country stands.
The rock on which the storm will break,
The rock on which the storm will break,
But armed in virtue, firm, and true,
His hopes are fixed on Heav'n and you.
When hope was sinking in dismay,
When glooms obscured Columbia's day,
His steady mind, from changes free,
Resolved on death or liberty.

Chorus

Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.

Sound, sound the trump of fame,
Let Washington's great name
Ring through the world with loud applause,
Ring through the world with loud applause,
Let ev'ry clime to freedom dear,
Listen with a joyful ear,
With equal skill, with God-like pow'r
He governs in the fearful hour
Of horrid war, or guides with ease
The happier time of honest peace.

Chorus

Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.

Sources

Photos and Illustrations:

public domain photo sheet music, The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Good Old Songs We Used to Sing, '61 to '65, by Osbourne H. Oldroyd
1776 photo, 1905 postcard, OTR family archives

Text:

wikipedia.org