U.S. Coast Guard March

Semper Paratus! – Always Ready!

By CAPT Francis Saltus Van Boskerck – U.S.C.G. ©1927

From Aztec shore to Arctic zone, to Europe and Far East.
The Flag is carried by our ships in times of war and peace;
And never have we struck it yet in spite of foe-men's might,
Who cheered our crews and cheered again for showing how to fight.

Chorus:
So here's the Coast Guard marching song, We sing on land or sea.
Through surf and storm and howling gale, High shall our purpose be.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide, Our fame, our glory too,
To fight to save or fight and die! Aye! Coast Guard we are for you!

 
Additional Verses:

Verse 2
"Surveyor" and "Narcissus," The "Eagle" and "Dispatch,"
The "Hudson" and the "Tampa," These names are hard to match;
From Barrow's shores to Paraguay, Great Lakes or Ocean's wave,
The Coast Guard fights through storms and winds, To punish or to save.

Verse 3
Aye! We've been "Always Ready"; To do, to fight, or die!
Write glory to the shield we wear In letters to the sky.
To sink the foe or save the maimed; Our mission and our pride.
We'll carry on 'til Kingdom Come, Ideals for which we've died.