Hail to the Chief
Encyclopedia
"Hail to the Chief" is a march
primarily associated with the President of the United States
. Its playing accompanies the appearance of the President at many public appearances. For major official occasions, the United States Marine Band
and other military ensembles generally are the performers, so directives of the U.S. Department of Defense have since 1954 been the main basis for according it official status. It is preceded by four ruffles and flourishes
when played for the President. The song is in the public domain.
's The Lady of the Lake
, including "Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances!" were set to music around 1812 by the songwriter James Sanderson (c. 1769 – c. 1841), a self-taught English violinist and the conductor of the Surrey Theatre, London, who wrote many songs for local theatrical productions during the 1790s and the early years of the 19th century:
Scott's romance was quickly made into unauthorized romantic melodramas. In November 1810, Scott wrote to a friend that "The Lady of the Lake" was being made into a play by Martin and Reynolds 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 of Lady of the Lake debuted in New York
May 8, 1812, and "Hail to the Chief" was published in Philadelphia
about the same time, as 'March and Chorus in the Dramatic Romance of the Lady of the Lake'. Many parodies appeared, an indication of great popularity.
Association with the President first occurred in 1815, when it was played to honor both George Washington
and the end of the War of 1812
(under the name "Wreaths for the Chieftain"). Andrew Jackson
was the first living President to have the song used to honor his position in 1829, and it was played at Martin Van Buren
's inauguration in 1837. On July 4, 1828, the U.S. Marine Band
performed the song at a ceremony for the formal opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
, which was attended by President John Quincy Adams
. Julia Tyler
, wife of John Tyler
, specifically requested its use at her husband's inauguration. It was used at James Polk
's inauguration, whereafter it became a mainstay to announce the arrival of the president; 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." Under the term of Harry Truman the Department of Defense
made it the official tribute to the President.
During the American Civil War
(1861-1865) the same piece was also used to announce the arrival of Confederate President Jefferson Davis
. On October 3, 1861, Davis visited with Generals P.G.T. Beauregard, Joseph Eggleston Johnston, and Gustavus Woodson Smith
at Fairfax Court House (now airfax, 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 the 1st Virginia Infantry
struck up "Hail To The Chief" and concluded with "Dixie
".
Lyrics that were written by Albert Gamse are set to James Sanderson's music, but they are rarely sung.
The original lyrics, written by Sir Walter Scott, read:
March (music)
A march, as a musical genre, is a piece of music with a strong regular rhythm which in origin was expressly written for marching to and most frequently performed by a military band. In mood, marches range from the moving death march in Wagner's Götterdämmerung to the brisk military marches of John...
primarily associated with the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. Its playing accompanies the appearance of the President at many public appearances. For major official occasions, the United States Marine Band
United States Marine Band
The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States...
and other military ensembles generally are the performers, so directives of the U.S. Department of Defense have since 1954 been the main basis for according it official status. It is preceded by four ruffles and flourishes
Ruffles and flourishes
Ruffles and flourishes are preceding fanfare for honors music .Ruffles are played on drums, and flourishes are played on bugles...
when played for the President. The song is in the public domain.
History
Verses from Sir Walter ScottWalter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
's The Lady of the Lake
The Lady of the Lake (poem)
The Lady of the Lake is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, first published in 1810. Set in the Trossachs region of Scotland, it is composed of six cantos, each of which concerns the action of a single day...
, including "Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances!" were set to music around 1812 by the songwriter James Sanderson (c. 1769 – c. 1841), a self-taught English violinist and the conductor of the Surrey Theatre, London, who wrote many songs for local theatrical productions during the 1790s and the early years of the 19th century:
- Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er,
- Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
- Dream of battled fields no more,
- Days of danger, nights of waking.
-
-
- (The Lady of the Lake, 1810)
-
-
Scott's romance was quickly made into unauthorized romantic melodramas. In November 1810, Scott wrote to a friend that "The Lady of the Lake" was being made into a play by Martin and Reynolds 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 of Lady of the Lake debuted in New York
History of New York City
The history of New York, New York begins with the first European documentation of the area by Giovanni da Verrazzano, in command of the French ship, La Dauphine, when he visited the region in 1524. It is believed he sailed in Upper New York Bay where he encountered native Lenape, returned through...
May 8, 1812, and "Hail to the Chief" was published in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
about the same time, as 'March and Chorus in the Dramatic Romance of the Lady of the Lake'. Many parodies appeared, an indication of great popularity.
Association with the President first occurred in 1815, when it was played to honor both George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and the end of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
(under the name "Wreaths for the Chieftain"). Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
was the first living President to have the song used to honor his position in 1829, and it was played at Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States . Before his presidency, he was the eighth Vice President and the tenth Secretary of State, under Andrew Jackson ....
's inauguration in 1837. On July 4, 1828, the U.S. Marine Band
United States Marine Band
The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States...
performed the song at a ceremony for the formal opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, abbreviated as the C&O Canal, and occasionally referred to as the "Grand Old Ditch," operated from 1831 until 1924 parallel to the Potomac River in Maryland from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington, D.C. The total length of the canal is about . The elevation change of...
, which was attended by President John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
. Julia Tyler
Julia Gardiner Tyler
Julia Gardiner Tyler , second wife of John Tyler, was First Lady of the United States from June 26, 1844, to March 4, 1845.-Early life:...
, wife of John Tyler
John Tyler
John Tyler was the tenth President of the United States . A native of Virginia, Tyler served as a state legislator, governor, U.S. representative, and U.S. senator before being elected Vice President . He was the first to succeed to the office of President following the death of a predecessor...
, specifically requested its use at her husband's inauguration. It was used at James Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
's inauguration, whereafter it became a mainstay to announce the arrival of the president; William Seale
William Seale
William Seale is an American historian and author.He attended Southwestern University and Duke University . He taught for several years at Lamar University, the University of Houston, the University of South Carolina and Columbia University. From 1973-1974 he was curator of cultural history at...
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." Under the term of Harry Truman the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
made it the official tribute to the President.
During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
(1861-1865) the same piece was also used to announce the arrival of Confederate President Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
. On October 3, 1861, Davis visited with Generals P.G.T. Beauregard, Joseph Eggleston Johnston, and Gustavus Woodson Smith
Gustavus Woodson Smith
Gustavus Woodson Smith , more commonly known as G.W. Smith, was a career United States Army officer who fought in the Mexican-American War, a civil engineer, and a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and Mexico:Smith was born in Georgetown,...
at Fairfax Court House (now airfax, 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 the 1st Virginia Infantry
1st Virginia Infantry
The 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in the Commonwealth of Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia....
struck up "Hail To The Chief" and concluded with "Dixie
Dixie
Dixie is a nickname for the Southern United States.- Origin of the name :According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the origins of this nickname remain obscure. According to A Dictionary of Americanisms on Historical Principles , by Mitford M...
".
The lyrics
- Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation,
- Hail to the Chief! We salute him, 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's our strong, firm belief.
- Hail to the one we selected as commander,
- Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief!
The original lyrics, written by Sir Walter Scott, read:
- Hail to the chief, who in triumph advances,
- Honour'd and blest 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 agen,
- "Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho! i-e-roe!"
- Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain,
- Blooming at BeltaneBeltaneBeltane or Beltaine is the anglicised spelling of Old Irish Beltaine or Beltine , the Gaelic name for either the month of May or the festival that takes place on the first day of May.Bealtaine was historically a Gaelic festival celebrated in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.Bealtaine...
, 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:
- MenteithMenteithMenteith or Monteith , a district of south Perthshire, Scotland, roughly comprises the territory between the Teith and the Forth. The region is named for the river Teith, but the exact sense is unclear, early forms including Meneted, Maneteth and Meneteth.First recorded as the Mormaerdom of...
and BreadalbaneBreadalbane, ScotlandBreadalbane —from Scottish Gaelic Bràghad Albainn, "the upper part of Alba"—is a region of the southern/central Scottish Highlands in Atholl. The Breadalbane hydro-electric power scheme lies within the region.Clan Campbell has a Breadalbane branch...
, then, - Echo his praise agen,
- "Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho! i-e-roe!"
- Proudly our pibroch has thrill'dBattle of Glen FruinThe Battle of Glen Fruin was fought on February 7, 1603 between the Clan Gregor and its allies on one side, and the Clan Colquhoun and its allies on the other...
in Glen FruinGlen FruinGlen Fruin is a glen in Scotland, adjacent to Loch Lomond.It contains the Fruin Water which flows into the loch, and a military bypass road, now the A817 road, known as the Glen Fruin Haul Road, which goes from the A82 up the glen and over the top of the hills to HMNB Clyde at Garelochhead...
, - And Blanochar's groans to our slogan replied,
- Glen Luss and Ross DhuClan ColquhounClan Colquhoun is a Highland Scottish clan.The clan motto shown above in the crest best translates to "if I can."-Origins of the clan:In the 13th century Maol Domhnaich, Earl of Lennox granted the lands of Colquhoun, located in Dunbartonshire, to Humphry de Kilpatrick...
, they are smoking in ruin, - And the best of Loch LomondLoch LomondLoch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
lie dead on our side. - Widow and Saxon maid,
- long shall lament our rade,
- Think of Clan Alpine with fear and with wo.
- Lenox and Levon GlenClan Lennox-Origins of the name:The name Lennox in gaelic comes from the place of the same name. The clan name comes from the title of Earl of Lennox which commanded the vale of Leven between the 12th and 15th centuries.-15th century:...
, - 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!"