 | |
Personal anthem of the President of the United States | |
| Lyrics | Albert Gamse |
|---|---|
| Music | James Sanderson, 1812 |
| Published | May 8, 1812 |
| Adopted |
|
| Audio sample | |
Four ruffles and flourishes followed by "Hail to the Chief" (as would be played for the U.S. president), played by the U.S. Navy Band's ceremonial band | |
"Hail to the Chief" is a piece originally announcing arrival by boat at an island in aScottish loch, but today it is best known as thepersonal anthem of thepresident of the United States, adapted byJames Sanderson from an originalScottish Gaelic melody.[1][2]
The song's playing accompanies the appearance of the president of the United States at many public events; it is also played atinauguration ceremonies.[3] For major official occasions, theUnited States Marine Band and other military ensembles are generally the performers, so directives of theUnited States Department of Defense have, since 1954, been the main basis for according it official status.[4] It is preceded by fourruffles and flourishes when played for the president. The song is also played during a former President'sstate funeral after the casket is removed from the hearse.[5] Due to its age the song is in thepublic domain.
Verses fromWalter Scott's 1810 narrative poemThe Lady of the Lake, including "The Boat Song" ("Hail to the Chief") aniorram or Gaelic rowing song with which clanoarsmen announce their arrival bybirlinn with their chieftain Roderick Dhu at Ellen's Isle inLoch Katrine, were set to music around 1812 by the songwriterJames Sanderson (c. 1769 – c. 1841); a self-taught English violinist and the conductor of theSurrey Theatre, London, who wrote many songs for local theatrical productions during the 1790s and the early years of the 19th century:[4]
Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances!
Honored and blessed be the ever-green Pine![4]
— The Lady of the Lake, 1810
Scott's romance was quickly made into unauthorized romantic melodramas. In November 1810,Scott wrote to a friend thatThe Lady of the Lake was being made into a play by Martin andReynolds in London and by a Mr. Siddons in Edinburgh. About the same time, Scott received a letter from a friend and army officer who ended his note with a copy of the music of the Boat Song, "Hail to the Chief."
A version ofLady of the Lake debuted inNew York May 8, 1812, and "Hail to the Chief" was published inPhiladelphia about the same time as 'March and Chorus in the Dramatic Romance of theLady of the Lake'. Many parodies appeared, an indication of great popularity.[6]
Association with the president first occurred in 1815, when it was played to honor bothGeorge Washington and the end of theWar of 1812 (under the name "Wreaths for the Chieftain").[4] On July 4, 1828, theU.S. Marine Band performed the song at a ceremony for the formal opening of theChesapeake and Ohio Canal, which was attended by PresidentJohn Quincy Adams.[7]Andrew Jackson was the first living President to have the song used to honor his position in 1829, and it was played atMartin Van Buren's inauguration in 1837.[4]Julia Tyler, second wife ofJohn Tyler, requested its use to announce the arrival of the president.[4] Her successor as first lady,Sarah Childress Polk, encouraged its regular use in this manner after it was used atJames Polk's inauguration;William Seale says, "Polk was not an impressive figure, so some announcement was necessary to avoid the embarrassment of his entering a crowded room unnoticed. At large affairs the band ... rolled the drums as they played the march ... and a way was cleared for the President."[4]
During theAmerican Civil War (1861–1865) the piece was also used to announce the arrival ofConfederate PresidentJefferson Davis. On October 3, 1861, Davis visited with GeneralsP. G. T. Beauregard,Joseph Eggleston Johnston, andGustavus Woodson Smith at Fairfax Court House (nowFairfax, Virginia) for a Council of War. While at Fairfax, President Davis also conducted a formal Review of the Troops, which numbered some 30,000. At the start of the review, the band of the1st Virginia Infantry struck up "Hail to the Chief" and concluded with "Dixie".[8]
PresidentChester A. Arthur did not like the song and askedJohn Philip Sousa to compose a new song, which was entitled "Presidential Polonaise". After Arthur left office, the Marine Band resumed playing "Hail to the Chief" for public appearances by the president.[9]
In 1954, theDepartment of Defense made it the official tribute to the president.[4][10] The 1969 hitanti-Vietnam war single, "Fortunate Son", by the American rock groupCreedence Clearwater Revival, specifically named "Hail to the Chief" when referring to patriots and jingoists. A brief quote fromHail to the Chief introducesJames Taylor's songLet It All Fall Down, released in the months beforeRichard Nixon's resignation in response to theWatergate scandal.
For most of his administration,Gerald Ford did not use the song, preferring to be introduced with "The Victors", the fight song of his alma mater, theUniversity of Michigan.[11]
For a brief time during his presidency,Jimmy Carter banned the playing of the song. The decision proved to be extremely unpopular among the American public, however, and Carter later reversed himself.[12]
In his 1990 Broadway musicalAssassins, composerStephen Sondheim uses variations on "Hail To The Chief", most notably in the opening of the show where he switched it from its "traditional march beat into 3/4 time, a carnival waltz" to emphasise "its more sinister elements".[13]
Late into his career, it was used as professional wrestlerBob Backlund's entrance theme.
Lyrics that were written byAlbert Gamse are set to James Sanderson's music, but they are rarely sung.
Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation,
Hail to the Chief! We salute you, one and all.
Hail to the Chief, as we pledge cooperation,
In proud fulfillment of a great, noble call.
Yours is the aim to make this grand country grander,
This you will do, that is our strong, firm belief.
Hail to the one we selected as commander,
Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief!
The original lyrics, written bySir Walter Scott, originally written for "Boat Song" in Canto Second of his poem "The Lady of the Lake",[14][15][16] read:
Hail to the chief, who in triumph advances,
Honour'd and blessed be the evergreen pine!
Long may the tree in his banner that glances,
Flourish the shelter and grace of our line.
Heaven send it happy dew,
Earth lend it sap anew,
Gaily to bourgeon and broadly to grow;
While every Highland glen,
Sends our shout back again
"Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho! i-e-roe!"
Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain,
Blooming atBeltane, in winter to fade;
When the whirlwind has stript every leaf on the mountain,
The more shall Clan Alpine exult in her shade.
Moor'd in the lifted rock,
Proof to the tempest's shock,
Firmer he roots him, the ruder it blow:
Menteith andBreadalbane, then,
Echo his praise agen,
"Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho! i-e-roe!"
Proudly our pibrochhas thrill'd inGlen Fruin,
And Blanochar's groans to our slogan replied,
Glen Lussand Ross Dhu, they are smoking in ruin,
And the best ofLoch Lomond lie dead on our side.
Widow andSaxon maid,
Long shall lament our raid,
Think ofClan Alpine with fear and with woe.
Lenox andLevon Glen,
Shake when they hear agen
"Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho! i-e-roe!"
Row, vassals, row for the pride of the Highlands!
Stretch to your oars for the evergreen pine!
O, that the rosebud that graces yon islands,
Were wreath'd in a garland around him to twine.
O, that some seedling gem,
Worthy such noble stem,
Honour'd and blest in their shadow might grow;
Loud should Clan Alpine then,
Ring from her deepmost glen,
"Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho! i-e-roe!"
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
