Following the war with the Barbary Pirates in 1805, when the American flag was hoisted for the first time over a fortress of the Old World, the Colors of the Marine Corps was inscribed with the words: "To the Shores of Tripoli". After the Marines had participated in the capture and occupation of Mexico City and the Castle of Chapultepec, otherwise known as the "Halls of Montezuma", the words on the Colors were changed to read: "From the Shores of Tripoli to the Halls of Montezuma".
Apparently, the melody of the "Halls of Montezuma" was taken from Jacques Offenbach's (1819-1880) comic opera (an opera-bouffe, a farcical form of opera, generally termed musical comedy), "Genevieve de Brabant", that was presented at the Theatre de Bouffes Parisiens, Paris, on November 19, 1859. The melody is not in the exact form of the "Marine Hymn", but is undoubtedly the aria from which it was taken (the aria could be related to a Spanish folk song).
Copyright ownership of the Marines' Hymn was vested in the US Marine Corps per certificate of registration dated August 19, 1891 but is now in the public domain; the composition has been sung and played in all of the four corners of the earth and today is recognized as one of the foremost service songs.
"From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country's battles, in the air, on land, and sea. First to fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean, we are proud to claim the title of United States Marine. Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun. We have fought in every clime and place where we could take a gun. In the snow of far-off Northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes, you will find us always on the job—The United States Marines. Here's health to you and to our Corps, which we are proud to serve. In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve. If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines."
See: "The History of The Marines' Hymn." See also: "History of The Marines' Hymn" (excerpt from "Warrior Culture of the U.S. Marines", 2001, Marion F. Sturkey)
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