Hail, Columbia
Hail, Columbia ("Heil Dir, Columbia") is a patriotic song of the United States of America , which was composed in 1789 under the title The President's March by Philipp Phile for the inauguration of George Washington . In 1798 Joseph Hopkinson provided the melody with a text.
Hail, Columbia fulfilled the - albeit unofficial - function of a national anthem of the USA as the most important representational song throughout the 19th century, but alongside other songs such as My Country, 'Tis of Thee in particular . After the American military bands had received instructions from President Woodrow Wilson as early as 1916 to play the song The Star-Spangled Banner on official occasions , its popularity declined in favor of other representative songs after the First World War , until The Star-Spangled Banner officially became the national anthem in 1931 the USA was declared.
However, it still serves today - along with four drum rolls and fanfares (ruffles and flourishes) - as the presidential salute for the Vice President of the United States , who accompanies him on his public appearances.
"Columbia" does not refer to Colombia (English Colombia ), but is a poetic name for the USA , as it is also used in the name of the District of Columbia .
text
English
Hail, Columbia, happy land,
Hail, ye heroes, heav'n 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 done,
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.
Refrain :
Firm, united let us be,
Ral'ying '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-earned prize.
While off'ring peace, sincere and just,
In heav'n we place a manly trust,
That truth and justice may prevail,
And ev'ry scheme of bondage fail.
Beloved the Chief who now commands,
Once more to serve his country stands,
The rock on which the storm will beat,
The rock on which the storm will beat,
But arm'd in virtue firm and true,
His hopes are fix'd on heav'n and you.
When hope was sinking in dismay,
When glooms obscured Columbia's day,
His steady mind from changes free
Resolv'd on death or Liberty.
Sound, sound the trump of fame,
Let Washington's great fame
Ring through the world with loud applause,
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.
German translation
Heil dir, Columbia, Happy Land!
Hail, you heroes, heaven-born covenant!
You who fought and bleed for the cause of freedom,
You who fought and bleed for the cause of freedom,
And you who, when the storm of war had passed,
enjoyed the peace that your heroism had won.
Let our freedom be our pride,
Always remembering what it cost,
Always thankful for the prize,
Let its altar grow to heaven.
Refrain :
Let us be strong and united,
And rally for our freedom,
As a covenant of united brothers
we shall find peace and security.
Immortal patriots, rise up again,
defend your rights, defend your bank,
let no impudent enemy with impudent hand
let no impudent enemy with impudent hand
penetrate the shrine, where
sanctifiedby effort and bloodlies the well-deserved prize.
As we offer just, sincere peace,
we manly trust Heaven,
That truth and justice prevail,
And every system of oppression perish.
Beloved be the leader who now commands us
once more to serve the cause of his country,
The rock exposed to the storm,
The rock exposed to the storm,
Yet endowed with valor, strong and faithful.
His hope is on heaven - and on you.
When hope sank in horror,
When the gloom darkened Columbia's day,
His enduring sense held
still for death or freedom.
Let the trumpet of glory sound,
Let Washington’s great famering
through the world
with great applause,
Let the world joyfully
listen to the dear freedom,
With the same mind, with godlike power, He
guides the hour of Danger of
terrible war, or calmly directs the
happier times to honorable peace.