'Semper Fidelis', being Latin for 'Faithful Always', and a rousing song by … Read Full Bio ↴'Semper Fidelis', being Latin for 'Faithful Always', and a rousing song by Sousa, became the motto of the US Marines in 1883. This Sousa tune was written in 1889 first to become a replacement for "Hail To the Chief" but was rejected. It remains their proud code and motto to this day.
Which, incidentally, they live up to.
Which, incidentally, they live up to.
Semper Fidelis
John Philip Sousa Lyrics
* Instrumental *
Contributed by Alaina R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@gymnastix
Although I never served in the United States Marines (nor in any branch of the U.S. military), I do have reverence for the Marines, as I do for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. And I have been a fan of John Philip Sousa marches, as well other patriotic anthems and marches ("The Star-Spangled Banner," "Hail to the Chief," etc.) since I was a boy. Like yourself, I find the majesty of military ceremonies impressive--the neatly worn uniforms and displays of flags, as well I have an awe of and respect for discipline and regimentation. It is a privilege to lead, but an honor to serve.
By the way, Mr. Hunter, did you ever see the 1952 20th Century Fox film "The Stars and Stripes Forever," a biopic about John Phillip Sousa which starred the late Clifton Webb as Sousa and co-starred Robert Wagner as a Marine private who became one of the Sousa Band members? If not, since I now know of your appreciation of Sousa and march music, I wholeheartedly recommend the film. It may seem a bit corny by today's' standards, but still very well-acted and inspirational (and full of Sousa's music). I first watched the film when I was about 10 years old, in an elementary school assembly (to screen feature films) my school presented on Fridays, usually before a school vacation as I recall.
When I was a Cub Scout (my only experience in a fraternity uniform), one day each week I would wear my uniform to school and proudly salute the flag (military-style) during our beginning-of-schoolday exercises each morning which included the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of one patriotic anthem (either "America," "America the Beautiful," or "The Star-Spangled Banner" a.k.a "The National Anthem). I remember how honored I was to be able to salute the flag military-style one day per week instead of the usual hand-over-the-heart salute given by my "civilian" classmates, as was also my custom the other four days of the school week. In my youth, membership in the Boy Scouts of the U.S.A (of which the Cub Scouts is a division) was regarded as quasi-military, especially in a public school with no junior R.O.T.C program. In fact, as much as I loved my elementary school, I wish now in junior high school my father had enrolled me in a military school, where I think I would have been happier and instilled with greater discipline to have, perhaps, eluded some of the bad habits I encountered in adolescence. (although, even military guys often took up smoking in those days). I also regret I stopped my service in the Boy Scouts at the Cub Scout level, that I didn't follow through to the highest level of Eagle Scout.
Why I never joined the military (the military draft had ceased one year before my 18th birthday), I don't know? I was certainly very patriotic when I was a young boy. Perhaps the general sentiment perpetuated by the mainstream media (which I now realize is corrupt itself) about the so-called "immorality" of the wars in Southeast Asia, the lower respect for the U.S. presidency on account of the so-called Watergate affair, or whatever, I had lost some of my verve for patriotism by high school years. But for several years now I have regained my boyhood patriotism, even as I have disapproved two (William J. Clinton and Barrack H. Obama) of the last three men who have been elected as U.S. president in the past quarter century. Perhaps because I have had such low regard for a few of the recent presidents and for politicians in general, that situation has made me respect the U.S. military all the more.
All that said, I also disapprove of some more recent policies forced upon the military by civilian political actions, such as women serving in integrated forces with male sailors and soldiers, as well allowing openly homosexual men and women to serve in the armed forces. I think these policies have lowered military morale (as career military officers warned they would), and were deliberately instituted by the political left for just such a purpose, to weaken U.S. military resolve. Of course I also wonder whether Cub Scouts at my old elementary school are still permitted to wear their uniforms in school and salute the flag of the United States on Fridays, and whether my old school is even still allowed to hold opening-of-schoolday exercises anymore, with the attitude of so-called "political correctness:" which has, seemingly, prevailed the past few decades in our world. Even with the new administration hopefully still being inaugurated this upcoming January, the nation and the world is in a sorry state of affairs, a few generations now of young citizens brainwashed by a communist educational system and mainstream media. I truly fear for our nation and our world.
In any event, Mr. Hunter, had I to live my life over again, one of the few things I would have done differently is
I would have volunteered for military service. And I wish that military service (not merely registration for U.S. Selective Service) was still compulsory for all U.S. males who attain the age of 18 years old. I think it would have made a more positive difference in my life, and that military service instills discipline and respect all through life in most who have served (at least this is my belief based on those I have known who served, and from what I have read). And most definitely the branch I would have chosen would have been the United States Marines.
I am too old now to volunteer, and with my health issues would not be approved for service anyway, as I could no longer endure boot camp training. Too bad, as I would still love to serve, even if only for one year in a clerical position stateside. But I still honor those who had the resolve to do what I didn't, and salute and thank YOU for your service, Sir.
@sung-gyungkim1327
μμ(Sousa)λ λ―Έν΄λ³ κ΅°μ λμ§νκ΄μ νλ€μ§μ? 100κ³‘μ΄ λκ² κ·Έκ° μ곑ν νμ§κ³‘ μ€μ λμμμ λ€λ¦¬λ The Stars and Stripes Foreverκ° μκ³ μ.
μμ λ Ήμ κΈ°μ μ΄ μλ 19μΈκΈ°κΉμ§λ ν΄λ³λκ° κ±°λ¦¬μμ μ°μ£Όνλ©° νμ§νλ κ±Έ λ£λ κ²μ μμ νμ μμ λ‘κ² κ°λ³Ό μ μλ λ§μ κ΅λ―Όλ€μ΄
μ’μ μμ μ°μ£Όλ₯Ό μ§μ λ£λ λ§€μ° κ·ν κΈ°νμλ€κ³ νλμ΄λ€. λ―Έκ΅μΈλ€μ κ΅°μ λ μ€μμλ μ μκΉμ U.S. Marine Bandλ₯Ό μ μΌ μ¬λνλ€λ€μ.
μμ μ μΌλ‘λ μ°μ£Όκ° νμνλ΅λλ€.
John Phillip SOUSA was the conductor of the U.S. Marine Band. Among more than 100 pieces of marching music he composed is
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" that we now hear from this video. Up until the 19th century when we had no technology and skills to
record music, the ordinary American people could not afford to enjoy going to the theaters to listen to the real-time musical performances or
other shows. However, when the Marine Band marched through the streets, it used to be a very rare chance for the people to hear the
real-time musical performances. Americans have loved the Marine Band more than any other military bands. Its performances are said
to be artistically excellent, too.
@bigdmarine
My God, I can never forget hearing this on graduation day. The proudest day in my life was the day I became a United States Marine! It is the greatest feeling ini the world to be a Marine!
@richardwarner746
SEMPER FI, MAC!!! GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES MARINES!!!
@robertkoth4022
MARINE CORPS is so specifically the great combat troops in the world I love the CORPS I'm from a family of MARINE CORPS i rather b called a MARINE that president of the United states Semper fi my brothers
@darrinwebber4077
Yep
@robertkoth4022
Semper Fi brother
@shaunbarlett9108
@@robertkoth4022 Oorah
Semper Fi
@acricucci6188
Iβm a 74-year-old lady, have never known a Marine; yet for me, all someone has to do is say Sousa, and this is the march that springs to my head, start to finish. Thank you, Marines & all US military, for your service.
@Raul61233
As a wartime Navy Corpsman I took care of wounded Marines.Β One of them was headed to be assigned to the Band and invited me toΒ a concert.Β Β To really hear the Marine Band you have to be there.Β They are excellent.
@timbarnes3581
Thank you for your service Doc. All Marines have a special bond and affection for the Doc. Semper Fi from a brother.
@stefan00123
As a Dutch trumpetist i was honoured to play this piece god bless America!
We will never forget the liberation and sacrifices of the US Canadian and British forces in the netherlands in 1944-1945