alternate titles:
Britannia Pride of the Ocean
The Red White and Blue
The authorship of this 1840's patriotic tune is
uncertain. Similar versions were published in America
and England by different people each of whom claimed to
have been the composer. Which version was written
first is unclear.
The American version of the song was first published
1843 by David Shaw, an actor from Philadelphia. Shaw
had asked a fellow actor Thomas Becket to write a
patriotic song for him. But Shaw then published the
song claiming to have composed it himself. Becket su...(+)
The authorship of this 1840's patriotic tune is
uncertain. Similar versions were published in America
and England by different people each of whom claimed to
have been the composer. Which version was written
first is unclear.
The American version of the song was first published
1843 by David Shaw, an actor from Philadelphia. Shaw
had asked a fellow actor Thomas Becket to write a
patriotic song for him. But Shaw then published the
song claiming to have composed it himself. Becket sued
to reclaim the rights to the song and won the case.
The British version was published in the 1852. The
words are from a poem by Stephen J. Meany and may date
back to 1842. The tune was credited to Thomas E.
Williams.
