Hail, Columbia

"Hail, Columbia" var, indtil den i 1931 blev erstattet af den officielt udpegede "Star-Spangled Banner", USA's uofficielle nationalmelodi. Den blev oprindelig komponeret af Philip Phile i 1789, til George Washingtons indsættelsesceremoni, under titlen "The President's March", arrangeret med tekst af Joseph Hopkinson i 1798. Den blev brugt af USA som nationalmelodi i størstedelen af det 19. århundrede, men tabte folkelig opbakning efter 1. verdenskrig. Den er nu indgangsmarch for USA's vicepræsident, og for tidligere præsidenter af USA. Den har samme funktion som "Hail to the Chief" er for præsidenten. Når sangen spilles til ære for vicepræsidenten og tidligere præsidenter indledes den altid med fire ruffles and flourishes. Derudover har sangen været brugt som stille-march under militære ceremonier, ofte mens bandet kontramarcherer.

Brug i populærkultur

I horrorfilmen Ravenous fra 1999 er et af åbningstemaerne en fortolkning af "Hail, Columbia" opført af Foster's Social Orchestra, en gruppe af ikke professionelle kunstnere.

Tekst

Hail Columbia, happy land!

Hail, ye heroes, heav'n-born band,

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,

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.

Behold the chief who now commands,

Once more to serve his country stands.

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.

Sound, sound the trump of fame,

Let Washington's great fame

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 time 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.

Se også

Hail to the Chief

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