The Coast Guard – Semper Paratus
So here’s the Coast Guard marching song
We sing on land or sea
Through surf and storm and howling gale,
His shall our purpose be.
“Semper Paratus” is our guide,
Our fame, our glory, too,
To fight to save, or fight and die! Aye!
Coast Guard, we are for you.
FROM AZTEC SHORE TO ARCTIC ZONE,
TO EUROPE AND FAR EAST.
THE FLAG IS CARRIED BY OUR SHIPS
IN TIME OF WAR AND PEACE.
AND NEVER HAVE WE STRUCK IT YET
IN SPITE OF FOE-MEN’S MIGHT,
WHO CHEERED OUR CREWS,
AND CHEERED AGAIN,
FOR SHOWING HOW TO FIGHT.
WE’RE ALWAYS READY FOR THE CALL,
WE PLACE OUR TRUST IN THEE.
THROUGH SURF AND STORM
AND HOWLING GALE,
HIGH SHALL OUR PURPOSE BE.
“SEMPER PARATUS” IS OUR GUIDE,
OUR FAME, OUR GLORY TOO.
TO FIGHT TO SAVE, OR FIGHT TO DIE,
AYE! COAST GUARD WE ARE FOR YOU.
“SURVEYOR” AND “NARCISSUS,”
THE “EAGLE” AND “DISPATCH.”
THE “HUDSON” AND THE “TAMPA,”
THESE NAMES ARE HARD TO MATCH.
FROM BARROW’S SHORES TO PARAGUAY;
GREAT LAKES OR OCEAN’S WAVE,
THE COAST GUARD FIGHTS
THROUGH STORMS AND WINDS,
TO PUNISH OR TO SAVE.
AYE! WE’VE BEEN ALWAYS READY!
TO DO, TO FIGHT, OR DIE.
WRITE GLORY TO THE SHIELD WE WEAR,
IN LETTERS IN THE SKY.
TO SINK THE FOE OR SAVE THE MAIMED,
OUR MISSION AND OUR PRIDE.
WE’LL CARRY ON TIL KINGDOM COME,
IDEALS FOR WHICH WE’VE DIED.
