'HAIL TO THE CHIEF!'

"I like to see a man proud

of the place in which he lives.

I like to see a man live

so that his place will be proud of him. "

~Abraham Lincoln

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

by Albert Gamse

Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation,

Hail to the Chief!

We salute him, one and all.

Hail to the Chief, as we pledge co-operation

In proud fulfillment of a great, noble call.

Yours is the aim to make this grand country grander,

This you will do, that's our strong, firm belief.

Hail to the one we selected as commander,

Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief!

~ A composite of those who have walked before
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The first time "Hail to the Chief" was played to honor a U.S. President was in 1815 during the commemoration of George Washington's birthday. On July 4, 1828, the song was performed by the United States Marine Band for President John Quincy Adams (served from 1825 to 1829) during the opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
The song is believed to have been played at the White House during the leadership of President Andrew Jackson (served from 1829 to 1837) and President Martin Van Buren (served from 1837 to 1841). It is also believed that Julia Gardiner, first lady and wife of President John Tyler (served from 1841-1845), requested the Marine Band to play "Hail to the Chief" during President Tyler's inauguration. Another first lady, Sarah Polk, wife of President James K. Polk (served from 1845 to 1849), asked the band to play the same song to announce her husband's arrival at formal gatherings.
However, President Chester Arthur, the 21st President of the United States, didn't like the song and instead asked bandleader/composer John Philip Sousa to write a different tune. The result is a song titled "Presidential Polonaise" which proved not as popular as "Hail to the Chief."
A short intro called “Ruffles and Flourishes” was added during William McKinley's presidency (served from 1897 to 1901). This short piece is played by a combination of drums (ruffles) and bugles (flourishes) and is played four times for the president before "Hail to the Chief" is performed.
In 1954, the Department of Defense made this song the official tune to announce the arrival of a U.S. President during official events and ceremonies..
Indeed, "Hail to the Chief" is deeply etched in history and has been played for many U.S. Presidents; from Abraham Lincoln's inauguration on March 4, 1861, to George W. Bush' inaugural oath in 2005.

~ About.com: Music Education

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Our hearts where they rocked our cradle,
Our love where we spent our toil,
And our faith, and our hope, and our honor,
We pledge to our native soil.
God gave all men all earth to love,
But since our hearts are small,
Ordained for each one spot should prove
Beloved over all.

~ Rudyard Kipling