Semper Fidelis (march)
Encyclopedia
"Semper Fidelis", which was written in 1888 by John Philip Sousa
, is regarded as the official march
of the United States Marine Corps
. This piece was one of two composed in response to a request from United States President Chester Arthur for a new piece to be associated with the United States President.
documenting the proclamation of "Semper Fidelis" as the official march of the Marines. According to accounts summarized in the CD liner notes
, Sousa is regarded by historians as honest and on many occasions noted that the march was named the official march of the Marine Corps. However, a flood destroyed many Marine Corps records, even those documenting Sousa's rank as leader of the United States Marine Corps Band; an order designating it as an official march could have been lost. The United States Marine Corps website refers to the song as "the Official March of the Marine Corps".
Sousa began as the musical conductor of the United States Marine Corps Band, known as "The President's Own", in 1880 and led the Band for five presidential administrations. President Arthur felt that "Hail to the Chief
" was undignified and requested a new presidential composition. Sousa began performing "Presidential Polonaise
" (1886) and later "Semper Fidelis", although Arthur predeceased the latter. Neither displaced "Hail to the Chief" as the song most closely associated with the United States President.
In an October 1927 interview published in the Independent (Nebraska), Sousa claimed "I wrote "Semper Fidelis" one night while in tears after my comrades of the Marine Corps had sung their famous Hymn at Quantico
(which is now home to Marine Corps Base Quantico
)." However, no Marines were stationed at Quantico until May 14, 1917 and he wrote the song in 1888. This could be explained by a misquote or by Marine maneuvers or exercises at Quantico.
John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era, known particularly for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition, he is known as "The March King" or the "American March King" due to his British counterpart Kenneth J....
, is regarded as the official march
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...
of the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. This piece was one of two composed in response to a request from United States President Chester Arthur for a new piece to be associated with the United States President.
History
There does not exist an original general orderGeneral order
In militaries, a general order is a published directive, originated by a commander, and binding upon all personnel under his command, the purpose of which is to enforce a policy or procedure unique to his unit's situation which is not otherwise addressed in applicable service regulations, military...
documenting the proclamation of "Semper Fidelis" as the official march of the Marines. According to accounts summarized in the CD liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
, Sousa is regarded by historians as honest and on many occasions noted that the march was named the official march of the Marine Corps. However, a flood destroyed many Marine Corps records, even those documenting Sousa's rank as leader of the United States Marine Corps Band; an order designating it as an official march could have been lost. The United States Marine Corps website refers to the song as "the Official March of the Marine Corps".
Sousa began as the musical conductor of the United States Marine Corps Band, known as "The President's Own", in 1880 and led the Band for five presidential administrations. President Arthur felt that "Hail to the Chief
Hail to the Chief
"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...
" was undignified and requested a new presidential composition. Sousa began performing "Presidential Polonaise
Polonaise
The polonaise is a slow dance of Polish origin, in 3/4 time. Its name is French for "Polish."The polonaise had a rhythm quite close to that of the Swedish semiquaver or sixteenth-note polska, and the two dances have a common origin....
" (1886) and later "Semper Fidelis", although Arthur predeceased the latter. Neither displaced "Hail to the Chief" as the song most closely associated with the United States President.
In an October 1927 interview published in the Independent (Nebraska), Sousa claimed "I wrote "Semper Fidelis" one night while in tears after my comrades of the Marine Corps had sung their famous Hymn at Quantico
Quantico, Virginia
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there are 561 people, 295 households, and 107 families living in the town. The population density is . There are 359 housing units at an average density of .-Racial composition:...
(which is now home to Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
)." However, no Marines were stationed at Quantico until May 14, 1917 and he wrote the song in 1888. This could be explained by a misquote or by Marine maneuvers or exercises at Quantico.