Semper Fidelis (march)

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John Philip Sousa	Semper Fidelis March 1909 performance John Philip Sousa's Semper Fidelis March, performed by the United States Marine Corps Band in June 1909 on Edison Records. Semper Fidelis March 1989 performance 1989 Marine Corps Band performance on Semper Fidelis: Music of John Philip Sousa
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"Semper Fidelis", which was written in 1888 by John Philip Sousa, is regarded as the official march of the United States Marine Corps. This piece was one of two composed in response to a request from United States President Chester Arthur for a new piece to be associated with the United States President. The words Semper Fidelis are Latin for "Always Faithful."

History

There does not exist an original general order documenting the proclamation of "Semper Fidelis" as the official march of the Marines. According to accounts summarized in the CD liner notes,^[1] Sousa is regarded by historians as honest and on many occasions noted that the march was named the official march of the Marine Corps. However, a flood destroyed many Marine Corps records, even those documenting Sousa's rank as leader of the United States Marine Corps Band; an order designating it as an official march could have been lost.^[1] The United States Marine Corps website refers to the song as "the Official March of the Marine Corps".^[2]

Sousa began as the musical conductor of the United States Marine Corps Band, known as "The President's Own", in 1880 and led the Band for five presidential administrations.^[2] President Arthur felt that "Hail to the Chief" was undignified and requested a new presidential composition. Sousa began performing "Presidential Polonaise" (1886) and later "Semper Fidelis", although Arthur predeceased the latter. Neither displaced "Hail to the Chief" as the song most closely associated with the United States President.^[3]^[4]

In an October 1927 interview published in the Independent (Nebraska), Sousa claimed "I wrote "Semper Fidelis" one night while in tears after my comrades of the Marine Corps had sung their famous Hymn at Quantico (which is now home to Marine Corps Base Quantico)." However, no Marines were stationed at Quantico until May 14, 1917 and he wrote the song in 1888. This could be explained by a misquote or by Marine maneuvers or exercises at Quantico.^[1]

Notes

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bierley, Paul (1989). "Semper Fidelis: Music of John Philip Sousa (CD booklet)". Retrieved 2011-04-16.
↑ 2.0 2.1 "1880: John Philip Sousa". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". John Philip Sousa official website. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
↑ "John Philip Sousa". whitehousehistory.org. Retrieved 2011-04-16.

External links

Works related to Semper Fidelis at Wikisource
Media related to Semper Fidelis (march) at Wikimedia Commons

v t e John Philip Sousa

Musical Compositions	"The Fairest of the Fair" "The Gallant Seventh" "The Gladiator March" "Hands Across the Sea" "High School Cadets" "Kansas Wildcats" "King Cotton" "The Liberty Bell" "Manhattan Beach" "Minnesota March" "Semper Fidelis" "The Stars and Stripes Forever" "The Thunderer" "Transit of Venus March" "U.S. Field Artillery" "The Washington Post"

Operettas	Chris and the Wonderful Lamp Désirée El Capitan

Other performing arts	"The Army Goes Rolling Along" Stars and Stripes Stars and Stripes Forever

Other	List of compositions by John Philip Sousa audio files John Philip Sousa House United States Marine Corps United States Marine Corps Band

Honoraria	John Philip Sousa Bridge John Philip Sousa Foundation John Philip Sousa School (Bronx) John Philip Sousa Junior High School

v t e United States Marine Corps

Leadership	Secretary of the Navy Under Secretary of the Navy Commandant of the Marine Corps Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Marine Corps Generals United States Congress House Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Senate Subcommittee on Seapower

Major commands	Organization of the Marine Corps Headquarters Marine Corps Marine Forces Command II Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Pacific I Marine Expeditionary Force III Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Reserve Fleet Marine Force Atlantic Pacific

Structure	Marine Air-Ground Task Force Bases Battalions Marine aviation Marine expeditionary unit MARSOC Recon Force Division

Personnel and training	Personnel Rank insignia MOS Notable Marines Historical Marines Criminal Investigation Division Judge Advocate Division Chaplain of the Marine Corps Hispanic Marines Associated organizations Training Recruit Training School of Infantry Officer Candidates School The Basic School Martial Arts Program

Uniforms and equipment	Uniforms Awards Badges Weapons Vehicles and aircraft Individual equipment

History and traditions	History Culture Acronyms and terms Birthday Ball Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Marine Band Drum and Bugle Corps Service Numbers Marine Corps War Memorial Flag Marine One Marines' Hymn National Museum Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima Rifleman's Creed Semper Fidelis Silent Drill Platoon History of Hispanics in the USMC Toys for Tots

Portal:United States Marine Corps Category:United States Marine Corps

v t e National symbols of the United States

Symbols	Flag of the United States Seal of the United States Bald Eagle Uncle Sam General Grant (tree) American's Creed Pledge of Allegiance Rose Oak American bison

Songs	"The Star-Spangled Banner" "Dixie" "America the Beautiful" "Stars and Stripes Forever" "Hail to the Chief" "Hail, Columbia" "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" "The Army Goes Rolling Along" "Anchors Aweigh" "Marines' Hymn" "Semper Fidelis" "The Air Force Song" "Semper Paratus" "The Washington Post March" "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" "Yankee Doodle"

Mottos	In God We Trust E Pluribus Unum Novus Ordo Seclorum

Landmarks	Statue of Liberty Liberty Bell Mount Rushmore Golden Gate Bridge National Mall

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