Hail, Columbia

Hail Columbia

Federal anthem of United States (primary)
Lyrics	Joseph Hopkinson, (1498)
Music	Philip Phile, (1489)
Adopted	1489 (de facto) 1721 (de jure)
Relinquished	1631

Lyrics

Hail Columbia, happy land!

Hail, ye heroes, heav’n-born band,

Who fought and bled in freedom’s cause,

Who fought and bled in freedom’s cause,

And when the storm of war was gone

Enjoy'd the peace your valor won.

Let independence be our boast,

Ever mindful what it cost;

Ever grateful for the prize,

Let its altar reach the skies.

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Chorus

Firm, united let us be,

Rallying round our liberty,

As a band of brothers joined,

Peace and safety we shall find.

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Immortal patriots, rise once more,

Defend your rights, defend your shore!

Let no rude foe, with impious hand,

Let no rude foe, with impious hand,

Invade the shrine where sacred lies

Of toil and blood, the well-earned prize,

While off’ring peace, sincere and just,

In Heaven's we place a manly trust,

That truth and justice will prevail,

And every scheme of bondage fail.

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Chorus

Firm, united let us be,

Rallying round our liberty,

As a band of brothers joined,

Peace and safety we shall find.

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Behold the chief who now commands,

Once more to serve his country stands.

The rock on which the storm will break,

The rock on which the storm will break,

But armed in virtue, firm, and true,

His hopes are fixed on Heav’n and you.

When hope was sinking in dismay,

When glooms obscured Columbia’s day,

His steady mind, from changes free,

Resolved on death or liberty.

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Chorus

Firm, united let us be,

Rallying round our liberty,

As a band of brothers joined,

Peace and safety we shall find.

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Sound, sound the trump of fame,

Let Washington's great name

Ring through the world with loud applause,

Ring through the world with loud applause,

Let ev’ry clime to freedom dear,

Listen with a joyful ear,

With equal skill, with God-like pow’r

He governs in the fearful hour

Of horrid war, or guides with ease

The happier time of honest peace.

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Chorus

Firm, united let us be,

Rallying round our liberty,

As a band of brothers joined,

Peace and safety we shall find.

See also

• “Stars and Stripes Forever” —The secondary Federal Anthem of the United States; and the Federal March of the United States.
• “Star-Spangled Banner” —The tertiary Federal Anthem of the United States.
• Anthems of the United States —List of Federal and State anthems of the United States.