Back for more American history Dragon Lair Diva style? Today’s info came from a book previously featured on a Book Drop: The Camel Club by Baldacci. In it he gives some interesting information on the “Hail to the Chief” which is played whenever the President of the US formally enters a room or event.

First he states that the practice started with President James Polk (1795-1849) (served as the 11th U.S. president from 1845 to 1849. http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/james-polk). My research found that it was first played in association with the president in 1812 to honor George Washington, and several times later but that First Lady, Sarah Childress Polk, encouraged its regular use in this manner after it was used at James Polk’s inauguration. Baldacci states that Polk’s wife was furious that her “diminutive, homely husband was often totally ignored when making an entrance.” and that was her motivation. It did not however become official until “Under the term of Harry Truman the Department of Defense made it the official tribute to the President.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_to_the_Chief

His second bit of information seems startling. That the words to the music are Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem The Lady of the Lake which described the demise of a Scottish Chieftain who was betrayed and then executed by the king. It is part of the musings of Captain Jack, a terrorist who is planning a similar fate for a fictional leader. He quotes: “O who would wish to be thy king?”. However I did find one of many newer versions:

“Hail to the Chief” by Albert Gamse
Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation,
Hail to the Chief! We salute him, one and all.
Hail to the one we selected as commander,
Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief!

–and I don’t think anybody much remembers the old words, but it still gives a chill.

GOOGLE HAS LOTS OF HAIL

4 Double Old Fashioned Glasses, Air Force Gala 1990, Hail To The $12

Hail to The Chief Poster Movie $16

The Marine Corps Salutes Lyndon Baines Johnson Lp 1968 $20

George W. Bush Jack In The Box “hail To The Chief” $49 (you wouldn’t believe how many of these there are)

James K. Polk was a sickly child who suffered from gallstones until he was seventeen…(when) he had them surgically removed without anesthesia or sterilization. http://americanhistory.about.com/od/jameskpolk/tp/Top-10-Things-To-Know-About-James-K-Polk.htm

“We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it.”
Barack Obama

BYE BYE