The Army and Navy Hymnal/Secular/O Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean

Historical sources generally agree that in the autumn of 1843 an actor named David T. Shaw wanted a new patriotic song to sing at a benefit performance. He gained the assistance of a fellow performer, Thomas á Becket, Sr. (1808-1890), who wrote the lyrics and melody for him. Evidently, Shaw published the song under his own name, but Becket was able to prove his authorship by means of his original handwritten composition. There remains some disagreement as to whether other versions of the song predated Becket's composition or followed it.

1736676The Army and Navy Hymnal — O Columbia, the Gem of the OceanHenry Augustine SmithThomas à Becket

2 O Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean
(The Red, White and Blue)
David T. Shaw
 
1 O Columbia, the gem of the ocean, The home of the brave and the free, The shrine of each patriot's devotion, A world offers homage to thee! Thy mandates make heroes assemble, When Liberty's form stands in view ; Thy banners make tyranny tremble, When borne by the Red, White and Blue, When borne by the Red, White and Blue, When borne by the Red, White and Blue, Thy banners make tyranny tremble, When borne by the Red, White and Blue. 2 When war winged its wide desolation, And threatened the land to deform, The ark then of freedom's foundation, Columbia rode safe through the storm : stars cease to shine on the brave. With the garlands of victory around her When so proudly she bore her brave crew, Withher flag proudly floating before her The boast of the Red, White and Blue, The boast of the Red, White and Blue, The boast of the Red, White and Blue, With her flag proudlyfloating before her, The boast of the Red, White and Blue. 3 The starspangled banner bring hither, O'er Columbia's true sons let it wave ; May the wreaths they have won never wither, Nor its stars cease to shine on the brave. May the service united ne'er sever, But hold to their colors so true;The army and navy forever ! Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue, Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue, Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue, The army and navy forever ! Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue !

O Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean