This edition was prepared by Ashley Etzkorn — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean
Staff Notation • Secular, Folk songs, Patriotic music
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Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean by Thomas à Becket — Lyrics
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!
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 thro’ the storm:
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About Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean
This stirring unison setting of Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean celebrates American patriotism and liberty. The text paints a vivid scene of the nation as a beacon of freedom, a 'shrine of each patriot's devotion,' whose banners strike fear into the hearts of tyrants. It recounts how Columbia, personified as a triumphant vessel, navigated through the storms of war, guided by the proud colours of the red, white, and blue. The song's message is one of resilience and the unwavering spirit of a nation founded on brave ideals. This piece is a powerful evocation of national pride and a fitting choice for occasions demanding a robust expression of patriotic sentiment.
