The Voice of the Navy
Download scripts and audio files of The Watch, Sailor's Creed and Old Glory
14 July 2015
Ever had to put together a Navy retirement ceremony and wondered where to find the words for Old Glory or The Watch? Now you can just copy, paste, listen and even download all three.
Now that you have the scripts you just need to find someone with an epic voice. Well, look no further All Hands had a chance to hang out with Chief Musician's Mate Courtney Williams who recorded downloadable files just for you. Simply scroll down and click the button for any of the narrations. A new window will open and you'll just need to right click on the audio player then select download.
Wanna read more about the Voice of the Navy? Click Here
There are more than 600 musicians in the Navy but the Navy only hires about 25 musicians each year, most with bachelor's or master's degrees in music. The 11 active duty Navy bands perform military ceremonies and public concerts, support the Navy's public outreach and recruiting efforts. Navy Musicians participate in about 6,000 performances for live audiences totaling more than 15 million people, not including the 300 million people reached via broadcast. Auditions to become a Navy musician are by appointment only. Contact the Navy's audition coordinator at 901-874-4316 or toll free at 1-866-827-5672 or email the audition coordinator at MILL_NavyMusic@navy.mil.
For twenty years
This sailor has stood the watch
While some of us were in our bunks at night
This sailor stood the watch
While some of us were in school learning our trade
This shipmate stood the watch
Yes.. even before some of us were born into this world
This shipmate stood the watch
In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history
This shipmate stood the watch
Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there
Needing his guidance and help
Needing that hand to hold during those hard times
But he still stood the watch
He stood the watch for twenty years
He stood the watch so that we, our families and
Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety, Each and every night
Knowing that a sailor stood the watch
Today we are here to say
'Shipmate... the watch stands relieved
Relieved by those You have trained ,Guided, and Lead
Shipmate you stand relieved.. we have the watch..."
"Boatswain..Standby to pipe the side...Shipmate's going Ashore.."
"I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA;
MY NAME IS "OLD GLORY".
I FLY ATOP THE WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDINGS,
I STAND WATCH IN AMERICA'S HALLS OF JUSTICE,
I FLY MAJESTICALLY OVER GREAT INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING,
I STAND GUARD WITH THE GREATEST MILITARY POWER IN THE WORLD.
LOOK UP! AND SEE ME.
"I STAND FOR PEACE - HONOR - TRUTH AND JUSTICE.
I STAND FOR FREEDOM.
I AM CONFIDENT
I AM ARROGANT
I AM PROUD.
WHEN I AM FLOWN WITH MY FELLOW BANNERS,
MY HEAD IS A LITTLE HIGHER
MY COLORS A LITTLE TRUER
I BOW TO NO ONE!!!
I AM RECOGNIZED ALL OVER THE WORLD,
I AM WORSHIPPED - I AM SALUTED - I AM RESPECTED.
I AM REVERED - I AM LOVED AND I AM FEARED!
I HAVE FOUGHT IN EVERY BATTLE OF EVERY WAR FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS:
GETTYSBURG, SHILO, APPOMATTOX, SAN JUAN HILL, THE TRENCHES OF FRANCE, THE ARGONNE FOREST, ANZIO, ROME, THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY, GUAM,
OKINAWA, TARAWA, KOREA, VIETNAM, THE PERSIAN GULF AND A SCORES OF PLACES LONG FORGOTTEN BY ALL
EXCEPT BY THOSE WHO WERE THERE WITH ME,
I WAS THERE!!
I LED MY SAILORS AND MARINES
I FOLLOWED THEM
I WATCHED OVER THEM
THEY LOVED ME!
I WAS ON A SMALL HILL ON IWO JIMA,
I WAS DIRTY, BATTLE WORN AND TIRED
BUT MY SAILORS AND MARINES CHEERED ME!
AND I WAS PROUD!
I WAS AT GROUND ZERO IN NEW YORK CITY ON SEPTEMBER 11TH AS COWARDLY FANATICS ATTACKED AMERICA.
I WAS RAISED FROM THE ASHES OF ONCE PROUD BUILDINGS BY BRAVE FIREFIGHTERS.
HEROES, WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES TO SAVE OTHERS, SHOWING ALL THAT AMERICA, ALTHOUGH BLOODIED, WILL NEVER BE BEATEN.
THOSE WHO WOULD DESTROY ME CANNOT WIN
FOR I AM THE SYMBOL OF FREEDOM,
OF ONE NATION UNDER GOD
INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
I HAVE BEEN SOILED, BURNED, TORN AND TRAMPLED ON THE STREETS OF MY OWN COUNTRY
AND WHEN IT IS BY THOSE WHOM I HAVE SERVED WITH IN BATTLE, IT HURTS.
BUT I SHALL OVERCOME
FOR I AM STRONG!
I HAVE SLIPPED THE SURELY BONDS OF EARTH
AND FROM MY VANTAGE POINT ON THE MOON;
I STAND WATCH OVER THE UNCHARTED NEW FRONTIERS OF SPACE.
I HAVE BEEN A SILENT WITNESS
TO ALL OF AMERICA'S FINEST HOURS,
BUT MY FINEST HOUR COMES
WHEN I AM TORN IN STRIPS,
TO BE USED AS BANDAGES FOR MY WOUNDED COMRADES ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE
WHEN I FLY HALF MAST TO HONOR MY SOLDIERS,
AND WHEN I LIE IN THE TREMBLING ARMS OF A GRIEVING MOTHER,
AT THE GRAVE-SITE OF HER FALLEN SON OR DAUGHTER
I AM PROUD!
MY NAME IS "O L D G L O R Y"
LONG MAY I WAVE DEAR GOD
LONG MAY I WAVE.
I am a United States Sailor.
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.
I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.
I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.
I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.