Hail, Columbia
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.
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 times 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.
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.
Written for George Washington’s inauguration in 1789, “Hail, Columbia” or “The President’s March” was considered the unofficial U.S. national anthem until 1931, when “The Star Spangled Banner” was made the official anthem. Today, it is “the ceremonial entrance march of the Vice President of the United States” (Source)
The music was written by Philip Phile and the lyrics by Joseph Hopkins. It was then that the song’s title was changed to “Hail, Columbia.”
On April 25, 1798, Gilbert Fox opened a concert at Philadelphia’s New Theatre with “Hail, Columbia.” It proved to be immensely popular. So popular, in fact, that rumors say an encore was requested as many as 12 times! A few nights later, President Adams saw the show. Then, on July 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson invited the U.S. Marine Band to play at the White House. It was typical for the song to be played at any formal events at the White House.
“Hail Columbia” was used as the national anthem up through the 1890’s.
Today, Hail, Columbia “is played whenever the Vice-President of the United States arrives at a ceremony or as he enters a formal event” (Source). “Ruffles and Flourishes” traditionally precedes the piece.
Listen: Hail, Columbia