Hail to the Chief is a song that has become synonymous with the President of the United States of America since it is played during his official appearances. The music was composed by James Sanderson around 1812. The lyrics are based on a poem by Sir Walter Scott called "The Lady of the Lake".
Games
Bad Dudes vs. Dragonninja (ARC)
Hail to the Chief plays as the ending music of Bad Dudes vs. Dragonninja after you save Ronald Regan and he thanks you. The song continues through the scrolling credits. It is rendered on the game's YM3812.
Bad Dudes (NES)
The NES port uses the music in the same way. The song loops several times, but is preset to end as the credits finish rolling. Since each loop is about 22 seconds, the song will be heard 5 times fully, but it cuts out a few seconds into the sixth loop.
The song is track 6 in the NSF file.
Other Ports
The Amiga port features all of the original songs, except this tune. The Amstrad, C64, and Spectrum ports have different soundtracks that don't include this song. The Apple II, DOS, and MSX ports do not have music.
Sheet Music
Lyrics
This song has lyrics, though no games actually use them.
Hail to the chief, who in triumph advances,
Honour'd and blest be the evergreen pine!
Long may the tree in his banner that glances,
Flourish the shelter and grace of our line.
Heaven send it happy dew,
Earth lend it sap anew,
Gaily to bourgeon and broadly to grow;
While every highland glen,
Sends our shout back agen,
"Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho! i-e-roe!"
Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain,
Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade;
When the whirlwind has stript every leaf on the mountain,
The more shall Clan Alpine exult in her shade.
Moor'd in the lifted rock,
Proof to the tempest's shock,
Firmer he roots him, the ruder it blow:
Menteith and Breadalbane, then,
Echo his praise agen,
"Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho! i-e-roe!"
Proudly our pibroch has thrill'd in Glen Fruin,
And Blanochar's groans to our slogan replied,
Glen Luss and Ross Dhu, they are smoking in ruin,
And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on our side.
Widow and Saxon maid,
long shall lament our rade,
Think of Clan Alpine with fear and with wo.
Lenox and Levon Glen,
Shake when they hear agen
"Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho!i-e-roe!"
Row, vassals, row for the pride of the Highlands!
Stretch to your oars for the evergreen pine!
O, that the rosebud that graces yon islands,
Were wreath'd in a garland around him to twine.
O, that some seedling gem,
Worthy such noble stem,
Honour'd and blest in their shadow might grow;
Loud should Clan Alpine then,
Ring from her deepmost glen,
"Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho! i-e-roe!"
Links
