|
The Stars And Stripes Forever
|
|
|
John Philip Sousa was America's premier bandmaster and
composer (1854-1932). His father, a Portuguese immigrant to the United States,
taught his son to play all the wind instruments and gave him a sound musical
education. In his youth Sousa played in various theater orchestras in Washington,
D.C., and at the early age of twenty-six became conductor of the United States
Marine Band.
When Sousa formed his own band in 1892, he entirely
changed the normal composition of the brass band by decreasing the number of brass
and percussion instruments and increasing the number of wood winds; he also
introduced a harp. He built up a body of musicians capable of executing
programs almost as varied as those of a symphony orchestra. His band's world
tours were received with immense acclaim. In all he composed over two hundred
works, and also published a book on military band instruments and an
autobiography entitled Marching Along.
Sousa, John Philip
(s´z, –s) (KEY) , 1854–1932, American bandmaster and composer, b. Washington, D.C. He studied violin and harmony in his native city and learned band instruments as an apprentice to the U.S. Marine Band, in which his father played the trombone. Early in his career he conducted theater orchestras, and he played in Offenbach’s orchestra in its American tour (1876–77). Sousa was leader of the U.S. Marine Band from 1880 until 1892, when he formed his own band. He toured the United States, Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world with great success. Sousa composed more than 100 marches, many of which became immensely popular, including “Semper fidelis” (1888), “The Washington Post March” (1889), “The Stars and Stripes Forever” (1897), and “Hands across the Sea” (1899). He also wrote several comic operettas, among them El Capitán (1896), The Bride Elect (1898), The Free Lance (1906), and The Glass Blowers (1913), and some orchestral music. In the development of the concert band he was the successor of Patrick S. Gilmore and did much to improve the instrumentation and quality of band music. 1
See his autobiography, Marching Along (1928); biographies by A. M. Lingg (1954), K. Berger (1957), and P. E. Bierley (1973). 2
-- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2003 Columbia University Press.
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.
Note: Most MIDI
files are downloadable... ~ CLICK HERE ~!
Want to buy sheet music, songbooks or guitar tabs?
They have over a quarter million titles to choose from, and you can order online.
If the Ol'Kunnel doesn't have the answer...
Give the Answer Box a go....
Please use Freefind below to search for items of your interest!
[Tip: K.I.S.S. Use a single keyword!]
Or Use This...
