This week I am going to cover some Navy traditions. The first one will be the Navies un-official theme song, “Anchors Aweigh.”

Although the Navy was founded in 1775 the Navies theme song was not written until 1906 by Charles A. Zimmerman, composer, with lyrics by Alfred Hart Miles. Miles was a midshipman first class and wanted to use the song for use as a football march. Zimmerman was director of the Naval Academy band at the time. The some was first played at the Army-Navy football game in 1906. The original lyrics follow.

Stand Navy down the field, sails set to the sky.
We'll never change our course, so Army you steer shy-y-y-y.
Roll up the score, Navy, Anchors Aweigh.
Sail Navy down the field and sink the Army, sink the Army Grey.
Get underway, Navy, Decks cleared for the fray,

We'll hoist true Navy Blue So Army down your Grey-y-y-y.
Full speed ahead, Navy; Army heave to,
Furl Black and Grey and Gold and hoist the
Navy, hoist the Navy Blue


Navy won that game against Army, 10-0. It was their first win in the annual game since 1900. Later on Royal Lovell, class of 1926, wrote a third verse to the song.

Blue of the Seven Seas; Gold of God's great sun
Let these our colors be till all of time be done-n-n-ne,
By Severn shore we learn Navy's stern call:
Faith, courage, service true with honor over, honor over all.

The song has been played at many a Navy function since then, but it is not the official Navy some. The process to make it the official Navy song has been on going for some time now. If officially adopted there will be a set of protocols for how, where, and when the song maybe played. As of now it is the un-official/official Navy Theme.
It was rewritten in 1950 by the team of George D. Lottman and Domenico Savino. This was done to make the some fit more of the Navy as a whole and not just the Academy. This version contained two verses and one bridge. The version sung today has three verses and two bridges.
Here is today’s version

Stand Navy out to sea
Fight our battle cry:
We'll never change our course
So vicious foes steer shy-y-y-y
Roll out the T. N. T.
Anchors Aweigh
Sail on to victory
And sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!

Bridge

Yo ho there shipmate
Take the fighting to the far off seas
Yo ho there messmate
Hear the wailing of the wild banshees
All hands, fire brands
Let's Blast them as we go. So

Verse 2

Anchors Aweigh my boys
Anchors Aweigh
Farewell to college joys (or "Farewell to foreign shores")
We sail at break of day day day day
Through our last night ashore
Drink to the foam
Until we meet once more
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home!

Bridge

Heave a ho there sailor
Everybody drink up while you may
Heave a ho there sailor
For your gonna sail at break of day
Drink away, Drink away,
For you sail at break of day, Hey!

Verse 3

Blue of the Mighty Deep
Gold of God’s Sun
Let these our colors be
Till all time be done
On seven seas we learn
Navy’s stern call
Faith, Courage, Service True
With Honor Over, Honor Over All.

Due to the popularity of the song several high schools in the US and Canada has adopted it for their fight song. Most of the time the lyrics are changed around to fit the specific school.

Also today I would like to take this time to wish all of our Jewish members a Happy Hanukkah.