Mel Bay's Creative Keyboard® Webzine | Gail Smith - Music fit for a President

Music fit for a President

The stirring "Washington's March" was composed for President George Washington. In 1799, to celebrate his return to the army, new words were set to "Washington's March' which was published together with Francis Hopkinson's 1778 tribute to George Washington, titled "A Toast". Benjamin Carr published the sheet music and apparently changed his mind about the price of the publication after it was printed from thirty-two cents to thirty seven cents. This wasn't the first piece composed for our first President. Many songs were written for him including "Hail Columbia" which was composed for him when he was appointed lieutenant general and commander-in-chief of the American armies by President Adams in May 1798. President Washington wanted to retire to Mt. Vernon but he understood the situation at hand with the war against France. Even with the army's famous, illustrious commander- in- chief, recruitment was slow. To stimulate interest, new words were written for the tune, "Yankee Doodle".

The words adapted to the recruiting service were:

Come ye Lads who wish to shine
Bright in future story
Haste to arms, and form the line
That leads on Martial glory!

Chorus
Beat the drum, the trumpet sound,
Manly and United,
Danger face, maintain your ground,
And see your country righted.

When George Washington died many songs were written and dedicated to him. President Adams officially proclaimed Washington's birthday, February 22nd, a day of National mourning. A dramatized mourning for George Washington was produced in theatres and churches. At the New Theatre in Philadelphia a popular mourning production was presented around a "Monody" composed by Alexander Reinagle and Raynor Taylor. It is described in J. Russell's Gazette (January 9, 1800)

...The house which, was "full to overflowing," displayed a scene calculated to impress the mind with the utmost solemnity and sorrow. The pillars supporting the boxes were incircled with black crepe, the chandeliers were decorated with the insignia of woe, and the audience, particularly the Female part, appeared covered with the badges of mourning. About 7 o'clock the band struck up "Washington's March," after which, a solemn dirge was played, when the curtain slowly rising, discovered a Tomb in the centre of the stage in the Grecian style of Architecture. . . In the center was a portrait of the General, incircled by a wreath of oaken leaves; under the portrait a sword, shield and helmet and the colours of the United States. The top was in the form of a Pyramid, in the front of which appeared the American Eagle, weeping tears of blood for the loss of her General, and holding in her beak a scroll, on which was inscribed, "a nation's tears."

On President's Day 2007 why not play "Washington's March" and be thankful for our freedom and pray for peace in the world.

"Washington's March" is included in the new book of Patriotic music titled, "Patriotic Piano Solos" (MB20736) Available March 2007.

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