For years I thought this song was called “Rally Round the
Liberty Tree.” As a child I always heard that extra word in the chorus, and
somehow it became the title in my mind. It wasn’t until I was watching the
mini-series on John Adams that I noticed that the words were wrong. That’s a
joke- I mean that I had the words wrong.
I love the Star Spangled Banner; especially the history
behind the writing of it; but sometimes when I think about it, and realize that
it wasn’t our National Anthem until 1931, I find myself looking back at songs
like “Hail Columbia” and “America the Beautiful” and wonder how it was that we
didn’t have a National Anthem sooner than we did.
But, as much as I prefer “Hail Columbia”, simply because it
was written at the time of our nation’s birth, rather than some 25 years later
at the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, I would never change it. How
would we ever play baseball without it? Can you imagine, even for a moment,
70,000 people or more, singing “Hail Columbia” before the game?
That being said; let me briefly make the case for “Hail
Columbia” as the true National Anthem. First of all, it was widely considered
to be the National Anthem up until the time that “The Star Spangled Banner” was
designated as such in 1931. The song is wholly American in composition, unlike
the “Star Spangled Banner”, which was written by Mr. Key as a poem and later
set to an old British air.
By contrast, Joseph Hopkinson wrote the poem, which was
added to Phillip Phile's music. Both were Americans; one an immigrant and the
other native born. Joseph was the son of Francis Hopkinson who was personally known
to General Washington from the War for Independence. This allowed him to send
the words and music to Washington in 1798. The lyrics were the same as the
General had heard at his first inauguration in 1789, but this time the music
was different. The original title had been called “The President’s March” but
was now billed as “Hail Columbia” due to a change in the words by Mr.
Hopkinson.
Just as with the “Star Spangled Banner” there is an interesting
“backstory” here as well. It involves an actor named Gilbert Fox, who wanted to
find more rousing lyrics to go with the “President’s March.” He had chosen the
song for the debut of a benefit concert; I bet you thought that sort of thing
began with Bangla Desh; which was only days away. The concert was undersold and
slated to be a losing proposition unless he could come up with something new
and exciting.
On a Sunday afternoon he went to see Judge Hopkinson and
asked for his help in composing a new set of lyrics. When the actor returned
the next day, the song was finished.
Mr. Fox was able to open his show on time, the following
Wednesday April 25, 1798 at Philadelphia’s New Theatre. The song was a show
stopper, calling for 12 encores, with the audience quickly learning the words
and joining in on the chorus. This was clearly a song of the people.
The scene above, from “John Adams” is pretty much true to
life, as only a few nights later, President Adams and some of his cabinet; then
based in Philadelphia; caught the show.
Interestingly, the song has survived as the entrance
march for the Vice President of the United States, and is played whenever he leaves
or arrives, much as "Hail to the Chief" is for the President.
“Hail Columbia”
by Philip Phile/ Joseph Hopkinson
Hail Columbia,
happy land!
Hail, ye heroes,
heaven-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.
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 offering
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
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
Sound, sound the
trump of fame,
Let Washington's
great fame
Ring through the
world with loud applause,
Ring through the
world with loud applause,
Let every clime to
freedom dear,
Listen with a
joyful ear,
With equal skill,
with God-like power
He governs in the
fearful hour
Of horrid war, or
guides with ease
The happier time
of honest peace.
Firm, united let
us be,
Rallying round our
liberty,
As a band of
brothers joined,
Peace and safety
we shall find.
