Patriotic Music: Columbia The Gem Of The Ocean

America is a tune. It must be sung together. ~Gerald Stanley Lee, Crowds

Columbia The Gem Of The Ocean

O, Columbia! the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to thee.
Thy mandates make heroes assemble
When Liberty's form stands in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble

When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!
Thy banners make tyranny tremble
When borne by the Red, White and Blue!

The wine cup, the wine cup bring hither,
And fill you it true to the brim!
May the wreaths they have won never wither,
Nor the star of their glory grow dim!
May the service united ne'er sever,
But they to their colors prove true!


The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
The Army and Navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue
 

About This Music

Written in 1843 and extremely popular during the Lincoln years, "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" was usually included among the patriotic songs played by the Marine Band for the President's ceremonial gatherings.

"Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" is a United States patriotic song which was popular in the 19th and early 20th century . It was used on occasion as an unofficial national anthem in competition with " Hail, Columbia " and " The Star-Spangled Banner " until the latter's formal adoption as the national anthem of the United States in 1931 . For many years, Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean's melody was used as the Voice of America's interval signal.

"Columbia" was commonly understood as a poetic name for the United States of America at the time. The song , as such, was first published in 1843 , credited to T. Becket & D. Shaw. It was apparently a rewrite of a well known British tune entitled "Red, White, and Blue."