Phile, Philip. (1734 - 1793)
Hail Columbia. A Favorite Patriotic Song.
New York: Firth & Hall, 358 Pearl Street. [ca. 1823]. 4to (12 ½ x 9 5/8 in.) printed from two engraved plates on pages [2] and [3] of a bifolium, removed from a bound volume of contemporary sheet music with pagination inscribed neatly in ink to the upper corners, modest toning, overall a very fine copy.An early New York printing of the American patriotic song "Hail, Columbia" which was considered, with several other songs, one of the unofficial national anthems of the United States until 1931, when "The Star-Spangled Banner" was officially named the national anthem. The music was composed by Philip Phile in 1789 for the first inauguration of George Washington and titled "The President's March." It became the song "Hail, Columbia" when arranged with lyrics by Joseph Hopkinson in 1798, who himself issued the first edition around that time. Columbia was a poetic name for the United States in use during the 18th century. (12554)
Printed Music Song