Anchors Aweigh History and Lyrics

Throughout history, the military, regardless of the branch, have adopted battle songs as a means to solidify the camaraderie among the men. Similarly many sports teams will use the same kind of incentive to signify team spirit.

It was the US Naval Academy's Football team who originally inspired the battle cry song known as Anchor's Aweigh. The term itself means that the Anchor has been pulled from the bottom and the vessel is launched and features predominately in the song. The music for Anchor's Aweigh was composed by Lieut. Charles A. Zimmermann with lyrics by Midshipman First Class Alfred Hart Miles in 1906. Its debut was at the Army-Navy football game in December 1906.which the Navy won after several seasons of losses. The third verse was added in 1926, when it was penned by Royal Lovell.

The song is taught during Naval training but the Navy has yet to officially adopt the song. Discussions continue as to the protocols for the use of Anchor's Aweigh during official Naval events. Another revision to the tune was made in 1950 with a slight change to the melody and changes to the lyrics. The 1950 changes by George Lottman, were spurred by an effort to make the song more relevant to the Navy servicemen with references to the Naval academy having been dropped from the lyrics.


Anchors Aweigh
Stand Navy out to sea, Fight our Battle Cry;
We'll never change our course, So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y.
Roll out the TNT, Anchors Aweigh. Sail on to Victory
And sink their bones to Davy Jones, Hooray!

Anchors Away, my boys, Anchors Aweigh.
Farewell to foreign shores, We sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.
Through our last night on shore, Drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more. Here's wishing you a happy voyage home.

Blue of the Mighty Deep; Gold of God's Sun
Let these colors be till all of time be done, done, done,
On seven seas we learn Navy's stern call:
Faith, Courage, Service true, with Honor, Over Honor, Over All.

George Lottman Lyrics

Stand Navy out to sea
Fight our battle cry:
We'll never change our course
So vicious foes steer shy-y-y-y
Roll out the T. N. T.
Anchors Aweigh
Sail on to victory
And sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!
Chorus
Yo ho there shipmate
Take the fighting to the far off seas
Yo ho there messmate
Hear the wailing of the wild banshees
All hands, fire brands
Let's Blast them as we go. So

Anchors Aweigh my boys
Anchors Aweigh
Farewell to college joys (or "Farewell to foreign shores")
We sail at break of day day day day
Through our last night ashore
Drink to the foam
Until we meet once more
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home!

Chorus
Heave a ho there sailor
Everybody drink up while you may
Heave a ho there sailor
For your gonna sail at break of day
Drink away, Drink away,
For you sail at break of day, Hey!

Blue of the Mighty Deep
Gold of God’s Sun
Let these our colors be
Till all time be done
On seven seas we learn
Navy’s stern call
Faith, Courage, Service True
With Honor Over, Honor Over All.