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America Triumphant

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/986edaf0-e466-0135-4ad8-0050569601ca-6
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NoC-US

Descriptive Information

Title
America Triumphant
Composer
Demarest, Clifford  
Lyricist
Holmes, John Haynes  
Publisher
A.P. Schmidt Company  
Place of Publication
Boston (Mass.)  
Year of Publication
1915  
Date of Copyright
1915-10-11
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1-2], 3-7, [1] p.)
Comment
  • This setting was in widespread use among amateur and church musicians for over two decades. It was extensively promoted and arranged for a variety of ensembles.
  • A.P. Schmidt Company.
  • 120 Boylston St.
Historical Note
  • Holmes's text was written in 1912 and sung as a hymn to existing tunes; it appears in many hymnals from 1914 onwards. Demarest was the organist at Holmes's church; his setting was first performed there on March 14, 1915, three months before copyright was registered.
  • This is one of two versions of an arrangement for solo voice and piano. The music was originally scored for mixed voices and piano, copyrighted June 15, 1915, the first of a total of seven arrangements. There were no recordings or piano rolls made.
Musical Note
Originally conceived as a hymn and then an anthem to be sung in church, the arrangement for solo voice is in effect a high-class ballad, though the vocal writing is not especially demanding and is modest in compass. The first, third, and fifth stanzas are, essentially, march ballads ("alla marcia"), in the home key; the second and fourth stanzas modulate to different keys and are in different tempos.
Dedication
Dedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Patriotic music  
Subject - Geographic
United States  
Subject - Temporal
1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] America triumphant! / Brave land of pioneers! / On mountain peak and prairie / Their winding trail appears. / The wilderness is planted; / The deserts bloom and sing; / On coast and plain the cities / Their smoky banners fling.
  • [verse 2] America triumphant! / New shrine of pilgrim feet! / The poor and lost and hunted / Before thine altars meet. / From sword of czar and sultan, / From ban of king and peer / To thee, o'er trackless waters, / They come in hope and fear.
  • [verse 3] America triumphant! / Dear homeland of the free! / Thy sons have fought and fallen / To win release for thee. / They broke the chains of empire; / They smote the wrongs of state / And lies of law and custom / They blasted with their hate. /
  • [verse 4] America triumphant! / Grasp firm thy sword and shield! / Nor yet have all thy foeman / Been driven from the field. / They lurk by forge and market, / They hide in mine and mill; / And bold with greed of conquest / They flout thy blessed will.
  • [verse 5] America, America, / Triumphant thou shalt be! / Thy hills and vales shall echo / The shouts of liberty. / Thy bards shall sing thy glory, / Thy prophets tell thy praise, / And all thy sons and daughters / Acclaim thy golden days.
  • [coda] America, America, / Triumphant thou shalt be! / America, America, / America triumphant!
Musical Genre
High-class ballad
Repository
Newberry Library
Rights
NoC-US
Rights Description
The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.
Cover Description
  • Text only, in frame with stylized vines. Blue and red on white; unsigned.
  • Cover, below title: Patriotic Song
  • Cover, bottom: Price 50 Cents.
Back Cover Description
Text advertisements, in simple frame, for two collections: Lyric fancies (© 1912 09 03 and 1913 12 29) and Schmidt's collection of sacred songs (1912).
Interior Description
  • p. 3, bottom: Orchestral Parts may be obtained from the Publisher.
  • p. 3, BL, with asterisk referring to Rev. John Haynes Holmes: By permission
  • Plate numbers: pp. 3–7, BL: A.P.S. 10720-5
Performance Medium
Voice and piano.  
Original Location
Box 163
Local Identifier
nda163_064
Collection Title
James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
Collection
World War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
TitleAmerica Triumphant
ComposerDemarest, Clifford  
LyricistHolmes, John Haynes  
PublisherA.P. Schmidt Company  
Place of PublicationBoston (Mass.)  
Year of Publication1915  
Date of Copyright1915-10-11
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1-2], 3-7, [1] p.)
Comment
  • This setting was in widespread use among amateur and church musicians for over two decades. It was extensively promoted and arranged for a variety of ensembles.
  • A.P. Schmidt Company.
  • 120 Boylston St.
Historical Note
  • Holmes's text was written in 1912 and sung as a hymn to existing tunes; it appears in many hymnals from 1914 onwards. Demarest was the organist at Holmes's church; his setting was first performed there on March 14, 1915, three months before copyright was registered.
  • This is one of two versions of an arrangement for solo voice and piano. The music was originally scored for mixed voices and piano, copyrighted June 15, 1915, the first of a total of seven arrangements. There were no recordings or piano rolls made.
Musical NoteOriginally conceived as a hymn and then an anthem to be sung in church, the arrangement for solo voice is in effect a high-class ballad, though the vocal writing is not especially demanding and is modest in compass. The first, third, and fifth stanzas are, essentially, march ballads ("alla marcia"), in the home key; the second and fourth stanzas modulate to different keys and are in different tempos.
DedicationDedication
Subject - Topic
  • World War, 1914-1918  
  • Songs and music  
  • Popular music  
  • Patriotic music  
Subject - GeographicUnited States  
Subject - Temporal1911-1920  
Lyrics
  • [verse 1] America triumphant! / Brave land of pioneers! / On mountain peak and prairie / Their winding trail appears. / The wilderness is planted; / The deserts bloom and sing; / On coast and plain the cities / Their smoky banners fling.
  • [verse 2] America triumphant! / New shrine of pilgrim feet! / The poor and lost and hunted / Before thine altars meet. / From sword of czar and sultan, / From ban of king and peer / To thee, o'er trackless waters, / They come in hope and fear.
  • [verse 3] America triumphant! / Dear homeland of the free! / Thy sons have fought and fallen / To win release for thee. / They broke the chains of empire; / They smote the wrongs of state / And lies of law and custom / They blasted with their hate. /
  • [verse 4] America triumphant! / Grasp firm thy sword and shield! / Nor yet have all thy foeman / Been driven from the field. / They lurk by forge and market, / They hide in mine and mill; / And bold with greed of conquest / They flout thy blessed will.
  • [verse 5] America, America, / Triumphant thou shalt be! / Thy hills and vales shall echo / The shouts of liberty. / Thy bards shall sing thy glory, / Thy prophets tell thy praise, / And all thy sons and daughters / Acclaim thy golden days.
  • [coda] America, America, / Triumphant thou shalt be! / America, America, / America triumphant!
Musical GenreHigh-class ballad
RepositoryNewberry Library
RightsNoC-US
Rights DescriptionThe organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.
Cover Description
  • Text only, in frame with stylized vines. Blue and red on white; unsigned.
  • Cover, below title: Patriotic Song
  • Cover, bottom: Price 50 Cents.
Back Cover DescriptionText advertisements, in simple frame, for two collections: Lyric fancies (© 1912 09 03 and 1913 12 29) and Schmidt's collection of sacred songs (1912).
Interior Description
  • p. 3, bottom: Orchestral Parts may be obtained from the Publisher.
  • p. 3, BL, with asterisk referring to Rev. John Haynes Holmes: By permission
  • Plate numbers: pp. 3–7, BL: A.P.S. 10720-5
Performance MediumVoice and piano.  
Original LocationBox 163
Local Identifiernda163_064
Collection TitleJames Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music
CollectionWorld War I Sheet Music from the James Francis Driscoll Collection of American Sheet Music

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