U.S. Virgin Islands Territory Song

"Virgin Islands March"

Music: Sam Williams and Alton Augustus Adams

Lyrics: Sam Williams and Alton Augustus Adams

Adopted: 1963

HISTORY

Co-written and composed by Alton Adams and Sam Williams in the 1920s, this march is more in the style of a popular song. Adams was a Virgin Island native who became the first black bandmaster in the United States Navy in 1917. He went on to write and compose many other marches and popular songs. Alton was a piccolo player, so many of his works include woodwinds. The song served as the unofficial anthem of the U.S. Virgin Islands for many years until the islands’ legislature recognized it in 1963, although it didn't become the official territorial anthem until 1982.  -World Trade Press

LYRICS

All hail our Virgin Islands.
Em'ralds of the sea,
Where beaches bright with coral sand
And trade winds bless our native land.
All hail our Virgin Islands,
Bathed in waters blue,
We give our loyalty,
Full to thee,
And pledge allegiance forever true.

To thee our Virgin Islands,
Loving voices raise
A song in praise of brotherhood,
Where right makes might to fight for good.
To thee our Virgin Islands,
Haven of the free,
We sing our love to thee,
Joyously,
Our own fair islands of liberty.

March on oh Virgin Islands,
In the joyful throng,
Uphold the right and right the wrong
Where only peace and love belong.
March on oh Virgin Islands,
Democratic land.
Together hand in hand,
Take your stand,
Forever soldiers in freedom's band.

God bless our Virgin Islands,
Humbly now we pray,
Where all mankind can join today
In friendly warmth of work and play.
God bless our Virgin Islands,
Beautiful and tall.
Beneath a sunny sky,
Hilltops high
Hold out a welcome for one and all.