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Patriotic Music Fun Facts
I love learning neat tid-bits of information that I can randomly drop into a conversation, and with such a historic holiday weekend upon us I couldn't help but wonder what neat Patriotic music fun facts I might discover. I'm sure during this 4th of July weekend you will be able to use at least one or more of these interesting facts.
Dixie by Daniel D. Emmett
It was the national anthem of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
It was one of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite songs.
The Marine Hymn author unknown
The melody may actually came from a French opera.
The line “From the halls of Montezuma (1847) to the shores of Tripoli(1805)” is aesthetically pleasing, but chronologically inaccurate.
Wild Blue Yonder (U.S. Air Force Song) by Robert Howard
Robert Howard unanimously won the U.S. Air Force’s song writing competition.
In 1939 the English Oxford Dictionary added an extra definition to the word “yonder” meaning “the far and trackless distance."
Other popular tunes (“Over the Rainbow” and “Pomp and Circumstance”) were influenced by the beginning phrase of the song “Off we go.”
Anchors Away (U.S. Navy Song) by Charles A. Zimmerman
Originally written as an inspiring football march in 1906.
Lieut. Zimmerman is thought to have sat at the Naval Academy Chapel organ while he composed the song.
God Of Our Fathers by George William Warren
Protestant hymn written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
You're a Grand Old Flag by George M. Cohan
Written in 1906 inspired by a Civil War vet pride in a tattered old flag.
Yankee Doodle Dandy Folksong
Originally sung by British troops making fun of American Colonial troops who were allied with the British in the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
It is most associated with the American Revolutionary War.
Battle Hymn Of the Republic lyrics by Julia Ward Howe
American Civil War song of the Union.
Uses the tune of "John Brown's Body". (If you haven't listend to this intersting song, I've posted a link to youtube)
The song was a favorite of the great United Kingdom Prime Minster, Sir Winston Churchill.
It was performed at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and at St Paul's Cathedral in London to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
This Is My Country by Al Jacobs and Don Raye
Written during the great depression
The Stars And Stripes Forever by John Phillip Sousa
Penned just before the outbreak of The Spanish-American War
It’s now our national march.
“America” a.k.a My Country Tis of Thee lyrics by Samuel Francis Smith
It has the same melody of the United Kingdom song God Save The Queen/King.
God Bless America by Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was a Jewish/Russian immigrant .
The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key
It was named the official National Anthem in 1931.
And my personal favorite. . .
Our nation anthem was originally a British pub drinking song! (Makes sense. Francis Scoot Key was aboard a British ship during the battle.
So, hopefully during your wonderful 4th of July weekend, (while you're enjoying a free concert, of course) you will be able to impress one of your friends by dropping a lovely musical fun fact into your conversation.
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