Coast Guard Anthem/March (Semper Paratus)

Coast Guard Anthem/March (Semper Paratus)
Semper Paratus

Appropriate Use Of The Coast Guard Marching Song

1. As summer approaches, the number of ceremonies throughout the Coast Guard will increase. During many of these ceremonies our marching song, Semper Paratus, will be played. Since each ceremony is unique there are often questions concerning the proper use of Semper Paratus. This notice provides general guidelines to assist with ceremony planning. They are applicable at both fair and foul weather venues.

2. Appropriate and recommended use of Semper Paratus is as follows:

A. When Semper Paratus is played, Coast Guard personnel in uniform should stand at attention. Personnel not in uniform should also stand.

B. For ceremonies and official functions, Semper Paratus should be played when the official party is on the dais. Two examples of appropriate use would be immediately following the invocation or immediately preceding the departure of the official party.

C. During parades, personnel in formation can march to Semper Paratus. All other Coast Guard personnel, including those in reviewing stands and observers should stand as prescribed above.

D. Semper Paratus should not be used as martial music. This includes playing the song for inspections of honor platoons or during the departure of the official party from the ceremony site.

Message relayed by:
CWO4 (BOSN) Bob Flynn
Assistant Director / Operations Training Officer / District TCT Coordinator
District Seven Office of Auxiliary
5 June 2003

Semper Paratus (Always Ready)

Words and Music by Captain Francis ------------------------------------------------->Salutes Van Boskerck, USCG

Words and Music Copyright by Sam Fox Publishing Co , Inc.

(source <a      CHECK THIS OUT ----------> href="http://www.uscg.mil/sounds/sempara.html" target="_blank">http://www.uscg.mil/sounds/sempara.html</a> 09 Jun 03)

Current Version

Verse


From North and South and East and West,
The Coast Guard's in the fight.
Destroying subs and landing troops,
The Axis feels our might.
For we're the first invaders,
On every fighting field.
Afloat, ashore, on men and Spars,
You'll find the Coast Guard shield.

Chorus


We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through howling gale and shot and shell,
To win our victory.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our pledge, our motto, too.
We're "Always Ready," do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard, we fight for you.



Versions &amp; Changes
The original words and music were written by Captain Francis S. Van Boskerck, USCG in 1927.
The first line of each chorus was changed in 1969.


1st Verse (original, 1927 version)


From Aztec shore to Arctic zone,
To Europe and Far East.
The Flag is carried by our ships,
In times of war and peace.
And never have we struck it yet,
In spite of foe-men's might,
Who cheered our crews and cheered again,
For showing how to fight.

2nd Verse (original, 1927 version)

SURVEYOR and NARCISSUS,
The EAGLE and DISPATCH,
The HUDSON and the TAMPA
The names are hard to match;
From Barrow's shores to Paraguay,
Great Lakes or ocean's wave,
The Coast Guard fought through storms and winds
To punish or to save.

3rd Verse (original, 1927 version)

Aye, we've been "Always Ready"
To do, to fight, or die
Write glory to the shield we wear
In letters to the sky.
To sink the foe or save the maimed
Our mission and our pride
We'll carry on 'til Kingdom Come
Ideals for which we've died.

The current verse, and a second chorus, were written by Homer Smith, 3rd Naval District Coast Guard quartet, Chief Cole, others and LT Walton Butterfield USCGR in 1943.

1st chorus (original, 1927 version)

So here's the Coast Guard marching song,
We sing on land or sea.
Through surf and storm and howling gale,
High shall our purpose be.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our fame, our glory too.
To fight to save or fight to die,
Aye! Coast Guard, we are for you!

2nd chorus (added 1943)

So here's the Coast Guard battle song,
We fight on land or sea.
Through howling gale and shot and shell,
To win our victory.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our pledge, our motto too.
We're "Always Ready" do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard we are for you!

1st chorus (1969 change to 1927 original 1st chorus)

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through surf and storm and howling gale,
High shall our purpose be.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our fame, our glory too.
To fight to save or fight to die,
Aye! Coast Guard, we are for you!

2nd chorus (1969 change to 1943 2nd chorus)

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through howling gale and shot and shell,
To win our victory.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our pledge, our motto too.
We're "Always Ready" do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard we are for you!

Right click on the links below to save to your PC.
Coast Guard Anthem Clip (400K WAV file)

Coast Guard Anthem Clip(400K AU file)