U.S. Marine Song
United States Marine
Service Song
To be correct, says the U.S. Marine Corps Press website, the Marines do not have a song. Instead, they have a hymn. When played, Marines are expected to stand at attention.
The hymn had widespread use by the mid-1800s, which makes it the oldest official “song” of the U.S. Armed Forces. No one knows who wrote the music or the lyrics.
The Marine Hymn
Verse One
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country’s battles
On the land as on the 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.
Verse Two
Our flag’s unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev’ry 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
Verse Three
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.
