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Marines' Hymn: Marine Warriors stormed
Derna and gave us "the shores of Tripoli." Marine
Warriors fought their way into the castle at Chapultepec and gave us the
"halls of Montezuma." Marines exist for the sole purpose
of warfighting. That is their role in life. They "fight
for right and freedom" and "to keep our honor
clean." They fight "in the air, on land, and
sea." Truly, Marine Corps is Valhalla for Warriors.
Ironically, no one knows who wrote the hymn, which was in
widespread use by the mid 1800's. Col. A.S. McLemore, USMC, spent
several years trying to identify the origin of the tune. In 1878
he told the leader of the Marine Band that the tune had been adopted
from the comic opera Genevieve de Barbant, by James Offenback.
Yet, other research supports the view that the tune originated from a
Spanish folf song. But, regardless of its origin the Marines'
Hymn has remained a revered icon of the United States Marine Corps
for almost 200 years.
In 1929 the Marines' Hymn became the offical hymn of the
Corps. Thirteen years later in November 1942, the Commandant
approved a change in the words of the first verse, fourth line.
Because of the increasing use of military aircraft in the Corps, the
words were changed to "In the air, on land, and sea." No
other changes have been made since that time:
From the Halls of Montezuma, |
To the Shores of Tripoli; |
We Fight our country's battles |
In the air, on land, and sea; |
First to fight for right and freedom |
And to keep our honor clean; |
We are proud to claim the title |
Of UNITED STATES MARINES.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze |
From dawn to setting sun; |
We have fought in every clime and place |
Where we could take a gun; |
In the snow of far off northern lands |
And in sunny tropic scenes; |
You will find us always on the job -- |
The UNITED STATES MARINES.
Here's health to you and to our Corps |
Which we are proud to serve; |
In many a strife we've fought fought for life |
And never lost our nerve; |
If the Army and Navy |
Ever look on Heaven's scenes; |
They will find the streets are guarded |
By UNITED STATES MARINES. |
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