Sheet Music: Anchors Aweigh

TitleAnchors Aweigh
Alternate titlesAnchors Away
ComposerCharles A. Zimmerman (1861–1916)
InstrumentationFlute solo
KeyC major
RangeC4–E5
Time signature4/4
Tempo108 BPM
Performance time0:35
Difficulty leveleasy
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (43 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (292 kB)
Date added2009-10-07
Last updated2009-10-07
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 1.0 (average)
Categories
Marches, Military music, Patriotic, Sports music

Performances

  • Heather — Flute and backing track.

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Wednesday 7 October 2009

Tune of the Day: Anchors Aweigh

Navy Service Song by Lieut. Charles A. Zimmermann

“Anchors Aweigh” is the fight song of the United States Naval Academy, and strongly associated with the United States Navy. It was composed in 1906 by Lieutenant Charles A. Zimmerman, a bandmaster of the United States Naval Academy Band. The song was first played the same year during the Army-Navy football game at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Before a crowd in excess of 30,000 Navy won the game 10–0, their first win in the match up since 1900.

“Anchors Aweigh” is unusual for a college fight song in that it refers, specifically and repeatedly, to a particular opponent (the Army) which may not even be present at the event at which the song is sung. Nonetheless, the song has been gradually adopted as the song of the U.S. Navy. Although there is even a pending proposal to make it the official song, and to incorporate protocol into Navy regulations for its performance, its status remains unofficial.

As regards the etymology, the word “weigh” in this sense comes from the archaic word meaning to heave, hoist or raise. “Aweigh” means that that action has been completed, so the anchor is aweigh when it is pulled from the bottom.