Overview
Introduction
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" is a patriotic American march widely considered to be the magnum opus of composer John Philip Sousa. By a 1987 act of the U.S. Congress, it is the official National March of the United States of America.
History
In his autobiography, Marching Along, Sousa wrote that he composed the march on Christmas Day, 1896. He was on an ocean liner on his way home from a vacation with his wife in Europe and had just learned of the recent death of David Blakely, the manager of the Sousa Band. He composed the march in his head and committed the notes to paper on arrival in the United States.[2] A 1952 biographical film, Stars and Stripes Forever, gives an account of the composer's life and music. It was first performed at Willow Grove Park, just outside Philadelphia, on May 14, 1897, and was immediately greeted with enthusiasm.[3] Following an Act of Congress in 1987, it was officially adopted as the national march of the United States of America.[4]
Music
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" follows the standard American military march form. The march begins with a four-bar introduction, which is followed by the first strain and the second strain, which are repeated, the famous trio which is repeated with the obbligato piccolos, the break strain, the final strain, and then the break strain is repeated again. In the final repeat of the trio (grandioso), the low brass joins the piccolo players with a prominent countermelody.
Lyrics
[First Strain]
Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom's shield and hope.
[Second Strain]
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.
(repeats) Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.
[Trio]
Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
[Repeat of the First Strain]
Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.
[Grandioso]
Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
翻译如下：
[第一段]
让胜利的音符漂浮
自由扩展了它强大的手
一个旗帜出现在雷鸣般的欢呼声中，
西部的旗帜。
勇敢与真实的象征
它的褶皱保护没有暴君的船员；
红，白，蓝
是自由的盾牌和希望。
[第二段]
其他国家认为他们的旗帜是最好的
他们的喜悦和欢乐
但北境和南部和西部的国旗
国旗的旗帜，自由民族的旗帜。
（重复）其他国家可以认为他们的旗帜是最好的
他们的喜悦和欢乐，
但北境和南部和西部的国旗
国旗的旗帜，自由民族的旗帜。
[三]
对自由的旗帜欢呼！
愿它永远成为我们的标准，
陆地与海洋的宝石，
右边的旗帜。
让暴君还记得那一天
当我们的父亲以巨大的努力
他们游行到战斗时宣布
他们的权利和权利
它永远荡漾。
[重复第一段]
让鹰从高耸的山峰尖叫
永无止境的口号我们的土地；
让夏天的微风飘荡在树
合唱的回声。
为自由和光明歌唱，
为自由和权利歌唱。
为联盟和它的力量歌唱，
爱国的儿子。
[雄伟]
对自由的旗帜欢呼。
愿它永远成为我们的标准
陆地与海洋的宝石，
右边的旗帜。
让暴君还记得那一天
当我们的父亲以巨大的努力
他们游行到战斗时宣布，
他们的权利和权利
它永远荡漾。
