Semper Paratus is the title of the song and is also the U.S. Coast Guard's official motto. The precise origin of the phrase is obscure, although the U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office notes the first use was by the New Orleans Bee newspaper in 1836, in reference to the actions of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service during the Ingham incident.[2]
During the run of A Girl in Every Port (1928 film) at the Fox Theater in Washington D.C., a detachment of 50 Coast Guard officers appeared at the theater for the debut of "Semper Paratus", the official song of the U.S. Coast Guard. The officers appeared at each performance during the playing of the song.[5] Rear Admiral Frederick Billard was the Coast Guard commandant at the time.
Lyrical modifications
The current verse, as well as a second chorus, were written by Homer Smith, 3rd Naval District Coast Guard quartet; Chief Cole; and Lieutenant Walton Butterfield in 1943. In 1969, the first line of the chorus was changed from “So here's the Coast Guard marching song, We sing on land and sea.” to “We're always ready for the call, We place our trust in Thee.”[6]
Lyrics
"Semper Paratus" being performed in 1944 by the Boston Pops."Semper Paratus" being performed in the 1940s, during World War II."Semper Paratus" being played by the U.S. Navy Band in the 1990s."Semper Paratus" being played by the USCG Band at the 2009 U.S. presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C."Semper Paratus" being played by the USCG Band at a May 2010 parade in Torrance, California.
"Semper Paratus". Annotated Music. Library of Congress. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
Kroll, C. Douglas (2010). A Coast Guardsman's History of the U.S. Coast Guard. Annapolis, Maryland: U. S. Naval Institute Press. ISBN978-1-59114-433-5.
