Marine Hymn Lyrics & Sheet Music

Marine Hymn lyrics and sheet music in three keys.

This free lead sheet of the Marine's Hymn has three verses of lyrics, and chords.

Marine hymn lyrics and sheet music

Please scroll down the page for the download links.

Plain block chords and chord inversions work well with this lead sheet, because it sounds good with a thick and vigorous texture.  

For an example of what I mean, look at the "Key of C" PDF, downloadable on the "12 Major Scales and Chords" page of my site.  See the top line of the printout, with the I-IV-V chords and inversions.

The history of the Marine's Hymn

Wikipedia has quite a bit of Marine Corps History, including information about this song:

"The 'Marines' Hymn' is the official hymn of the United States Marine Corps. It is the oldest official song in the United States military. The 'Marines' Hymn' is typically sung at the position of attention as a gesture of respect. However, the third verse is also used as a toast during formal events, such as the birthday ball and other ceremonies."

Watch and listen:

Here is a link to a good version of the US Marine Corps Band playing this song (thanks, Jasper!). 

And look at this really great video of a little guy trying on his dad's uniform, interspersed with scenes of his dad & other Marines.

And I really like this short and unusual version of The Marine's Hymn, sung by men (the best way to hear this song!): 

The Marines are "the toughest"

My father was a Marine in the Korean War. He said when the war started, he didn't wait to get drafted, but joined up -- and joined the Marines "because they were the toughest."

Well, my dad was pretty tough all right! Sometimes he'd sing these Marine Hymn lyrics to me and my brothers and sisters, though he never really wanted to talk about his time in Korea as an artillery gunner and instructor. The older he got, the more he wished to reconnect with old comrades-in-arms.

Guarding the streets of Heaven!

I know there were special bonds between him and those other Marines, though he couldn't - or wouldn't - put it into words.

I love the last phrases of the third verse of the Marine's Hymn - you can't help but smile:

"If the Army and the Navy

Ever look on Heaven’s scenes;

They will find the streets are guarded

By United States Marines!"




The links to the music sheets:



Download Marine's Hymn in Bb



Download Marine Hymn lyrics and music in C 



Download Marine's Hymn in D 


See all the free patriotic songs on my site!


America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)



America the Beautiful



Anchors Aweigh



Army Theme



Marine's Hymn



Star-Spangled Banner



Taps


Interested in songs from the Bible for your students or church?  Check out my other website, SingTheBibleStory.com!

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About the Author

Dana Thynes

Hi, I'm Dana!  (Say that like "Anna".)  I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.

Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.

You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.