The Stars And Stripes Forever (Sousa's Band)
Composer:
John Philip Sousa
Date Of Composition:
1896
Performed by:
U.S. Army Concert Band
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" is a patriotic American march widely considered to be the magnum opus of composer John Philip Sousa. By act of Congress, it is the National March of the United States of America.
In his autobiography, Marching Along, Sousa wrote that he composed the march on Christmas Day 1896.
He was on an ocean liner on his way home from a vacation with his wife in Europe and had just learned of the recent death of David Blakely,
the manager of the Sousa Band. He was often quoted as saying that "The Stars and Stripes Forever" was born of homesickness.
He composed the march in his head and committed the notes to paper on arrival in the United States.
It was first performed in Philadelphia on May 14, 1897, and was immediately greeted with enthusiasm.
The Stars And Stripes Forever (Sousa's Band)
Listen -- MP3 (Sousa's Band)
Listen -- MP3 (U.S. Marine Band)
Sousa was the greatest musical star of his era, combining the charisma and popularity of Leonard Bernstein and the Beatles. He was so popular that he left the Marine Band to start his own band in 1892. It toured the nation with unparalleled success.
For twenty-five years Sousa's Band played the march at almost every concert it held. Although the piece is always played as an instrumental, Sousa did set words -- somewhat triumphalistic by today's standards -- to it.
Let martial note in triumph float And liberty extend its mighty hand A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers, The banner of the Western land. The emblem of the brave and true Its folds protect no tyrant crew; The red and white and starry blue Is freedom's shield and hope. Other nations may deem their flags the best And cheer them with fervid elation But the flag of the North and South and West Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation. Hurrah for the flag of the free! May it wave as our standard forever, The gem of the land and the sea, The banner of the right. Let despots remember the day When our fathers with mighty endeavor Proclaimed as they marched to the fray That by their might and by their right It waves forever. Let eagle shriek from lofty peak The never-ending watchword of our land; Let summer breeze waft through the trees The echo of the chorus grand. Sing out for liberty and light, Sing out for freedom and the right. Sing out for Union and its might, O patriotic sons. Other nations may deem their flags the best And cheer them with fervid elation, But the flag of the North and South and West Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation. Hurrah for the flag of the free. May it wave as our standard forever The gem of the land and the sea, The banner of the right. Let despots remember the day When our fathers with might endeavor Proclaimed as they marched to the fray, That by their might and by their right It waves forever.
