Born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Boone is a direct descendant of the American pioneer Daniel Boone. He grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, attended David Lipscomb College and began recording in 1954 for Republic Records. His 1955 version of "Ain't That a Shame" was a huge hit, selling far better than Fats Domino's original version. This set the stage for the early part of Boone's career, which focused on covering R&B songs by black artists for a white market. Previously, rock 'n' roll had had only limited exposure outside of the African American community. Pat Boone's pale covers gave attention to the more authentic original artists, such as Little Richard and Fats Domino and to rhythm and blues in general. In addition, the songwriters and copyright holders benefited even when individual artists did not.
In fact, only six of Boone's many hit singles were R&B covers, and only four of those were rockers. All were released in the first two years of his long career. These were "Ain't That a Shame" by Fats Domino and "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard, and "At My Front Door (Crazy Little Mama)" by the El Dorados. The other two R&B covers were well-chosen blues ballads, "I Almost Lost My Mind" by Ivory Joe Hunter and "Chains of Love," a hit for Big Joe Turner and later B.B. King that had been written by Ahmet Ertegun. By 1957, Boone was concentrating on the middle-of-the-road music that dominated his career. He never recorded another R&B cover.
Known as "The Kid in White Buck Shoes", Boone sported a clean-cut image that appealed to white [teens]] and parents. His singing style, a rich baritone, followed in the tradition of his idol, Bing Crosby. Preferring to carry on in the Crosby tradition, he soon began turning more and more to ballads. Some of his biggest hits included "Love Letters in the Sand" (with the instrumental break featuring Boone's whistling), "April Love", "Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)", and "Don't Forbid Me".
His teen idol popularity in the late 1950s was second only to that of Elvis Presley, and, like Presley, he soon tried his hand at acting. Boone's pictures included 1960's Journey to the Center of the Earth alongside Hollywood notable James Mason.
His recording of the theme song from the 1957 film April Love topped the charts for six weeks and was nominated for an Academy Award. Pat also wrote the theme song for the movie Exodus.
A devout born-again Christian, he was raised in the conservative Church of Christ, but has been a member of a Pentecostal church for more than thirty years. Boone has refused both songs and movie roles that he felt might compromise his standards, including a role opposite the decade's reigning sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe. Among his other achievements, he hosted a TV series in the late 1950s and began writing in the early 1960s, a series of self-help books for adolescents, including Twixt Twelve and Twenty.
The British Invasion effectively ended Boone's career as a hitmaker, though he continued recording throughout the 1960s. In the 1970s, he switched to gospel and country, and he continued performing in other media as well, most importantly radio. He is currently working as the disc jockey of a popular oldies radio show and runs his own record company which provides a much-welcomed outlet for new recordings by 1950s greats who can no longer find a place with the major labels.
Boone married Shirley Lee Foley, daughter of country music great Red Foley and singer Judy Martin, in 1953 and they had four daughters: Cherry, Lindy, Debby, and Laury. In the 1960s and 1970s the Boone family toured as gospel singers and made gospel albums, such as The Pat Boone Family and The Family Who Prays.
In the early 1990s, Boone joined Amway and spoke at many motivational seminars. He was also a distributor. He never reached the coveted Amway rank of Diamond.
In 1997, Boone released In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy, a collection of heavy metal covers revamped to fit his style. To promote the album, he appeared at the American Music Awards in black leather, shocking audiences and losing his respectability among his largest constituency, conservative Christians. He was then fired from Gospel America, a TV show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. About a year later, the controversy died down and many fans, including Jack Hayford, accepted his explanation of the leather outfit being a "parody of himself". He was re-hired by Trinity Broadcasting and Gospel America was brought back.
In 2003, the Gospel Music Association of Nashville, Tennessee recognized his gospel recording work by inducting him into its Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Boone and his wife live in Los Angeles, California. They are members of The Church on the Way in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley. His one-time neighbor was Ozzy Osbourne and his family. Boone's cover of Osborne's song "Crazy Train" became the theme song for The Osbornes. (It appears on The Osbornes Soundrack.) Osborne said that Boone "never complained once" about living next door to his less-than-traditional family.
Boone once claimed to use his own surname in lieu of curse words when upset.
In 2006, Boone penned an article for WorldNetDaily in which he argued that Democrats and others who are against the Iraq War cannot, under any circumstances, be considered patriotic. He also recently was interviewed by Neil Cavuto on Fox News, where he expressed his outrage against the opponents of George W. Bush (namely the Dixie Chicks) that their criticisms of the President showed they did not "respect their elders". Another article defended Mel Gibson after the actor was recorded making an anti-Semitic rant. Despite their differing political views, Pat Boone is friends with the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
The Marine's Hymn
Pat Boone Lyrics
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To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
On the land as on the sea
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honour clean
We are proud to claim
The title of United States Marine
From dawn to setting sun
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines.
"The Marine's Hymn" is a song that represents the pride and honor of the United States Marine Corps. The lyrics begin by referencing two significant battles in American history: the halls of Montezuma, referencing the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War in 1847, and the shores of Tripoli, referencing the First Barbary War in 1801. The lyrics state that Marines fight for their country both on land and sea, and are the first to fight for right and freedom. They hold their honor high by being strong, brave, and committed always. They take pride in being called United States Marines.
The lyrics also detail the places where Marines have fought, emphasizing that they have been ready to take up arms in any condition or any land, from the cold lands of the north to the tropical scenes of the south. The final lines of the song reinforce the idea that the Marines are always ready and willing to fight for their country and enjoy doing what they do best.
Overall, "The Marine's Hymn" is a proud and rousing song that pays tribute to the United States Marine Corps and their brave and selfless service to their country.
Line by Line Meaning
From the halls of Montezuma
We start our journey from the place where we prepare ourselves to be courageous and strong like Montezuma.
To the shores of Tripoli
We are ready to go to any length to protect and defend our country's interests, even if it involves going to faraway lands like Tripoli.
We fight our country's battles
We are ready to fight for our country's rights and values, no matter where the battle may be.
On the land as on the sea
We are trained to fight in any terrain or condition, whether it is on land or on sea.
First to fight for right and freedom
We are always at the front lines when it comes to fighting for what is right and just, and for the freedom of our people.
And to keep our honour clean
We place great importance on maintaining the highest levels of honor and integrity in all of our actions and decisions.
We are proud to claim
We take great pride in being a part of the United States Marine Corps, and all that it represents.
The title of United States Marine
We hold the distinguished title of being a United States Marine, and all that comes with it - honor, courage, and commitment.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
We proudly display our flag in all conditions, showing our dedication and loyalty to our country.
From dawn to setting sun
We are always ready to serve and defend our country, from the earliest hours of the day until the sun sets.
We have fought in every clime and place
We have fought in many different conditions and locations, demonstrating our adaptability and versatility.
Where we could take a gun
We are ready to take up arms and defend our country wherever and whenever the need arises.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
We have fought in extremely cold and harsh conditions in faraway lands, displaying our tenacity and resilience.
And in sunny tropic scenes
We have also fought in hot and humid conditions in tropical locations, showing our endurance and determination.
You will find us always on the job
We are always ready and willing to fulfill our duties and responsibilities as United States Marines, no matter what the circumstances may be.
The United States Marines.
These are the men and women who make up the esteemed United States Marine Corps, and who are always ready to serve and defend.
Writer(s): Jacques Offenbach
Contributed by Leo C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.