Keyword Analysis & Research: marine corps band playing marine corps hymn

“Hoorah” is a battle cry used by the Marines since the mid-20th century and is now used frequently as a greeting between Marines. What does a Marine mean when he shouts “Oorah”? Like “Hoorah,” it’s a battle cry used during training or operations. This phrase is used almost exclusively by the Marine Corps.

The Marines’ Hymn is the most recognizable military hymn and the oldest official song in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Marines’ Hymn is a reminder of the sacrifice and courage that Marines have shown on the battlefield. It is an important part of Marine Corps culture — every Marine can recite its three stanzas by heart.

To honor Navajo Code Talkers Day, listen to Pfc. Joe Hosteen Kellwood sing the Marines’ Hymn in Navajo Video Player is loading. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. End of dialog window. This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

“The Marines’ Hymn” melody was clearly taken from Geneviève de Brabant, an opera written by the German-born, Jewish-French composer Jacques Offenbach and first performed in 1859. There is evidence, however, that the song was a popular Spanish folk tune even before that. This classic American fighting song is truly a cross-cultural creation.