“Anchors Aweigh” was originally composed as a fight song for the US Naval Academy’s football team! (It was credited with helping the Navy football team secure a legendary victory over the US Military Academy in the 1906 Army-Navy game.)
Midshipman 2nd Class Alfred H. Miles approached the academy’s bandleader, Charles A. Zimmermann, about composing a march for his graduating class. Zimmermann had been the academy’s bandleader since 1887 and was a beloved figure. He was known as “Zimmy” among the midshipmen. During his tenure, he composed a new piece of music for each graduating class!
Zimmermann agreed and he set about composing a rousing march. Midshipman Miles took Zimmy’s music and wrote two stanzas of lyrics in preparation for the Army-Navy game later that year. The completed “Anchors Aweigh” was first performed in public on December 1, 1906. The Army-Navy game was played before thirty thousand spectators. Navy had not won a game against West Point since 1900. That game ended in a shutout, with Navy winning 10-0. Touchdowns were worth 5 points in 1906.
In 1926 lyricist George Lottman revised the lyrics and added a verse that included the famous refrain “Anchors Aweigh”.
Below is the third verse of “Anchors Aweigh” that was revised by US Navy Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy in 1997.
Blue of the mighty deep:
Gold of God’s great sun.
Let these our colors be
Till all of time be done, done, done, done.
On seven seas we learn
Navy’s stern call:
Faith, courage, service, true,
With honor, over honor, over all.
