Hail to the Chief

Lore & Background

The song's playing accompanies the appearance of the president of the United States at many public events; it is also played at inauguration ceremonies, playing at the arrival of the incumbent president (outgoing or newly re-elected, as the case may be), and immediately after the president takes his oath of office. For a time, it was also played at the end of the ceremonies with the departure of the president. For major official occasions, the United States Marine Band and other military ensembles are generally the performers, so directives of the United States Department of Defense have, since 1954, been the main basis for according it official status. It is preceded by four ruffles and flourishes when played for the president. The song is also played during a former President's state funeral after the casket is removed from the hearse. Its age puts the song into the public domain.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights dimmed just enough to make the ice glow under the floodlights, but the air was already thick with the hum of twenty thousand voices. As the organist's keys struck the opening notes of "Hail to the Chief," a collective hush fell over Capital One Arena, broken only by the rhythmic clapping of fans standing in unison. In that moment, the rivalry and the score were secondary; it was simply Washington, D.C., honoring its home before the game began.

Reader's Guide

Verses from Walter Scott's 1810 narrative poem The Lady of the Lake were set to music around 1812 by James Sanderson (c. 1769 – c. 1841), a self-taught English violinist and the conductor of the Surrey Theatre, London. Sanderson also wrote many songs for local theatrical productions during the 1790s and the early years of the 19th century. The music was first associated with the President in 1815, when it was played under the name "Wreaths for the Chieftain" to honor both George Washington and the end of the War of 1812. On July 4, 1828, the U.S. Marine Band performed the song at a ceremony for the formal opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which was attended by President John Quincy Adams. Andrew Jackson was the first living President to have the song used to honor his position in 1829, and it was played at Martin Van Buren's inauguration in 1837. Julia Tyler, second wife of President John Tyler, requested its use to announce the arrival of the President. First lady Sarah Childress Polk encouraged its regular use to introduce the President after it was used at President James Polk's inauguration. During the American Civil War (1861–1865), the piece was also used to announce the arrival of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. President Chester A. Arthur did not like the song and asked John Philip Sousa to compose a new song entitled "Presidential Polonaise". After Arthur left office, the Marine Band resumed playing "Hail to the Chief" for public appearances by the President. In 1954, the Department of Defense made it the official tribute to the President. Gerald Ford did not use the song during his administration, preferring to be introduced with "The Victors", the fight song of his alma mater University of Michigan. President Jimmy Carter banned the playing of the song for a brief time during his tenure. The decision proved to be extremely unpopular among the American public, however, and Carter later reversed himself.

Did You Know?

• The song was first associated with the President in 1815, when it was played under the name "Wreaths for the Chieftain" to honor both George Washington and the end of the War of 1812.
• John Tyler was the first living President to have the song used to honor his position in 1845.
• President Chester A. Arthur disliked the song and asked John Philip Sousa to compose a new song entitled "Presidential Polonaise".
• President Jimmy Carter briefly banned the playing of the song, but reversed the decision after it proved extremely unpopular.