National Emblem

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National Emblem is a march written around 1906 by Edwin Eugene Bagley.

Bagley resided for many years in Keene, New Hampshire and directed the band there.

Early in its score, it incorporates the first 12 notes or so of The Star-Spangled Banner.

A well-known theme of this march is popularly sung in the US with the words "and the monkey wrapped his tail around the flagpole". In Britain, the same theme is sometimes sung with the words, "have you ever caught your bollocks in a mangle". Puerto Rican comedian José Miguel Agrelot constantly scat-sang this section in his public appearances whenever he referred to military topics or personnel.

The US military uses the trio section when presenting and retiring the colors.

John Philip Sousa was once asked to list the three most effective street marches ever written. Not surprisingly, Sousa listed two of his own compositions, but for the third, he selected "National Emblem".

Jazz players in the 1920s sometimes "quoted" the third (trio) strain because it fit over the chords in the solo strain of Tiger Rag.

The Tubachristmas arrangement of "Jingle Bells" incorporates the "trio" section before returning to the holiday tune.

The Indiana Hoosiers marching band plays the first eight bars of the trio section every time the Hoosiers make a first down during home football games. The Crimson Crew student section pumps their fist in the air during the song and then points the direction the Hoosiers are marching at the end of the song.