Marines’ Hymn (250th Birthday) by Jacques Offenbach – Improvised by pianist Charles Manning

Happy 250th Birthday to the US Marine Corps!!

On November 10, 1775, during the American Revolutionary War, the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia passed a resolution to form two battalions of marines. In accordance with this resolution, Captain Samuel Nicholas founded the infantry unit to serve aboard naval vessels. As the first Commandant of the Marine Corps, Captain Nicholas was nominated to lead the Continental Marines by John Adams. As the maritime land force service, the US Marine Corps is “responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combined arms, implementing its own infantry, artillery, aerial, and special operations forces.” Since 1834, the Marine Corps has been part of the US Department of the Navy with its sister service, the United States Navy. The US Marine Corps is one of the six armed forces of the United States

The “Marines’ Hymn” is the oldest song in the United States Armed Forces, officially authorized by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1929. The music for the Hymn is from the “Gendarmes’ Duet” from a revision of the 1867 comic opera “Genevieve de Brabant” by Jacques Offenbach. The opera debuted in Paris, France in 1859. Subsequently, the first director of the USMC Band, Francesco Maria Scala, introduced the Hymn. The Commandant of the Marine Corps authorized the older version of the song to be used in the 1951 film “Halls of Montezuma.”

Presumably from the 19th century, the Hymn’s lyrics are by an unknown, anonymous author. In his 1917 book “Rhymes of the Rookies,” author W.E. Christian included the lyrics. The beginning line of the lyrics, “From the Halls of Montezuma,” refers to the 1847 Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War, and the second line, “To the shores of Tripoli,” refers to the 1805 Battle of Derna during the First Barbary War. In 1942, with the addition of aviation to the Marine Corps, Commandant Thomas Holcomb approved the change in the lyrics from “On the land as on the sea” to “In the air, on land and sea.” For reference, the full lyrics are printed below.

Currently, the 1915 arrangement of the “Marines’ Hymn” by Edward M. Van Loock is officially performed by the U.S. Marine Band. A later 1950s arrangement by Donald R. Hunsberger is also used for performances. With best wishes on the 250th Birthday of the US Marine Corps, pianist Charles Manning combines the “Happy Birthday” song with “Marines’ Hymn” in this celebratory improvisation.

~ Lyrics ~

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 Marine.

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 for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.