Hail, Pennsylvania!

"Hail, Pennsylvania!" is a song written by Edgar M. Dilley (Class of 1897) as a submission to a University of Pennsylvania alumni committee-sponsored contest to write a song to the tune of "God Save the Tsar!", the national anthem of Imperial Russia, by Alexei Fyodorovich Lvov. Dilley was awarded $25 for creating it.[1] It served as the regional anthem of Pennsylvania until 1990 and now serves as the municipal anthem of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Hail, Pennsylvania!
Former regional anthem of Pennsylvania
Municipal anthem of Scranton, Pennsylvania
LyricsEdgar M. Dilley, 1894
MusicAlexei Fyodorovich Lvov
Adopted1895 (by Pennsylvania)
Relinquished1990 (by Pennsylvania)
Succeeded by"Pennsylvania" (by Pennsylvania)
Audio sample
"Hail, Pennsylvania!" (music box)
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History

Dilley was an assistant director with The University of Pennsylvania Glee Club. The piece was first performed by his group at its annual concert at the Academy of Music in 1895.[1] For many years, the song was performed at Franklin Field, when the football team suffered a loss. Today, the song is still performed at University functions and sporting events by The University of Pennsylvania Band and The University of Pennsylvania Glee Club.

Aside from becoming the alma mater of the University of Pennsylvania, the song also serves as the official song of Lackawanna County. Also, until 1990, the song served as the official song for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Lyrics
Hail! Pennsylvania!
Noble and strong;
To thee with loyal hearts,
We raise our song.
Swelling to Heaven loud,
Our praises ring;
Hail! Pennsylvania,
Of thee we sing!
Majesty as a crown
Rests on thy brow;
Pride, Honor, Glory, Love,
Before thee bow.
Ne'er can thy spirit die,
Thy walls decay;
Hail! Pennsylvania,
For thee we pray!
Hail! Pennsylvania!
Guide of our youth;
Lead thou thy children on
To light and truth;
Thee, when death summons us,
Others shall praise,
Hail! Pennsylvania,
Thro' endless days![2]

References
  1. George Nitzsche - Pennsylvania in Song and Music: Origin of Some of the Classics - Franklin Field Illustrated Volume 25: Number 3 October 19th 1940
  2. Songs of the University of Pennsylvania: Brought under one cover by William Otto Miller '04. Fourth edition revised by the Musical Club and published by the Houston Club of the University of Pennsylvania. The Press of the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: 1923.

Further reading
  • Cheney, Edward Potts. History of the University of Pennsylvania, 1740-1940. (1940.)
  • George Nitzsche - Pennsylvania in Song and Music: Origin of Some of the Classics - Franklin Field Illustrated Volume 25: Number 3 October 19, 1940
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