| Semper Fidelis | |
|---|---|
| March byJohn Philip Sousa | |
.jpg) | |
| English | Always faithful |
| Year | 1888 |
| Dedication | Officers and men of theUnited States Marine Corps |
"Semper Fidelis", written in 1888 byJohn Philip Sousa, is regarded as the officialmarch of theUnited States Marine Corps. This piece was one of two composed in response to a request fromUnited States PresidentChester A. Arthur for a new piece to be associated with the United States President. The wordssemper fidelis are Latin for "always faithful." The piece was created for a concert band including a percussion section. There is a very prominent drum solo in the middle of the piece which includes a skillful dynamic change. It features staccato notes and sharp tonguing.
There does not exist an originalgeneral order documenting the proclamation of "Semper Fidelis" as the official march of the Marines. According to accounts summarized in the CDliner notes,[1] Sousa is regarded by historians as honest and on many occasions noted that the march was named the official march of the Marine Corps. However, a flood destroyed many Marine Corps records, even those documenting Sousa's rank as leader of theUnited States Marine Corps Band; an order designating it as an official march could have been lost.[1] The United States Marine Corps website refers to the song as "the Official March of the Marine Corps".[2]
Sousa began as themusical conductor of the United States Marine Corps Band, known as "The President's Own", in 1880 and led the Band for five presidential administrations.[2] President Arthur felt that "Hail to the Chief" was undignified and requested a new presidential composition. Sousa began performing "PresidentialPolonaise" (1886) and later "Semper Fidelis", although Arthur predeceased the latter. Neither displaced "Hail to the Chief" as the song most closely associated with the United States President.[3][4]
In an October 1927 interview published in theIndependent (Nebraska), Sousa claimed "I wrote 'Semper Fidelis' one night while in tears after my comrades of the Marine Corps had sungtheir famous Hymn atQuantico (which is now home toMarine Corps Base Quantico)." However, no Marines were stationed at Quantico until May 14, 1917 and he wrote the song in 1888. This could be explained by a misquote or by Marine maneuvers or exercises at Quantico.[1]
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