Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Hail, Columbia!

Frontispiece to The Union Memorial (1861)

In addition to being the "unofficial national song" of the 1860s, Hail, Columbia is also the battle cry of the WCWA's "Army of the Columbia."  Here are the lyrics, according to The Book of Popular Songs (1860):
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,
Enjoyed 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 join'd
         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-earn'd prize.
     While offering peace sincere and just
      In heaven we place a manly trust,
      That truth and justice will prevail,
      And every scheme of bondage fail.
            Firm--united, &c.  
Sound, sound, the trump of fame!
Let Washington's great name,
      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, and god-like power
      He govern'd in the fearful hour
      Of horrid war; or guides with ease,
      The happier times of honest peace.
            Firm--united, &c. 
For the tune, there's sheet music from 1857 (and an 1861 piano medley); you can also listen to recordings on youtube.

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