Summary
"We Say Mabuhay" (sometimes called the "Mabuhay March") is the common name for "Mabuhay, My Philippines", a march used as the honors music for the president of the Philippines. It was composed by Tirso Cruz, with lyrics by James King Steele.
| We Say Mabuhay | |
|---|---|
| Honors music by Tirso Cruz | |
| Genre | Swing / March |
| Written | 1931 |
| Text | James King Steele |
History edit
Tirso Cruz penned the melody to "We Say Mabuhay", with lyrics by James King Steele, sometime during the 1930s.[1] Various dates have been attributed to the original composition of "We Say Mabuhay" ranging from 1931 to 1940.[1][2] According to The Philippine Star, however, it was first performed May 16, 1931 at the Manila Hotel.[2]
During World War II, U.S. government broadcasters used the melody of the song for their radio program The Philippine Hour, which was transmitted from relay stations in Australia and San Francisco to the Japanese-occupied archipelago.[1] The lyrics and music to the song were also printed in a 1945 issue of the U.S. Army propaganda leaflet Free Philippines, which was covertly distributed in the country.[1] In that version of the song, the original lyrics "under our blue sky" were substituted with "under the blue sky", a version that has remained as the one most commonly used in the Philippines since.[1]
As the honors music for the President of the Philippines, "We Say Mabuhay" is traditionally performed at the Philippine presidential inauguration following the oath of office of the incoming president, as well as at other times during the entrance or approach of a sitting President of the Philippines.[3][2] In keeping with the American custom, it is traditionally preceded by four ruffles and flourishes by a military band, but in parades the formation on the parade ground just stands at attention and everyone stands as the song is played.[3]
The word "Mabuhay", which forms part of the song's title and features prominently in its lyrics, is a Tagalog greeting meaning "long live".[4]
Lyrics:
- We say Mabuhay!
- We say Mabuhay!
- Under the blue skies,
- Where our friends sit by!
- A greeting of farewell!
- A toast that will wear well!
- We raise our voices and say Mabuhay!
Composer and lyricist edit
Tirso Cruz was a prominent Filipino bandmaster in the 1930s and 1940s who helped popularize jazz in the Philippines.[1] He is remembered for his longtime leadership of the Mabuhay Orchestra, the house band at the Manila Hotel.[1]
James King Steele was an American public relations executive who, during the 1930s, was retained to promote tourism to the Philippines and would later fill a similar role for Nevadans Unlimited, a tourism trade group in the United States state of Nevada.[5][6][7]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Walsh, Thomas (2013). Tin Pan Alley and the Philippines: American Songs of War And Love, 1898-1946, A Resource Guide. Scarecrow Press. pp. 272–273. ISBN 978-0810886094.
- ^ a b c "Tirso Cruz: Composer of Mabuhay — My Philippines". Philippine Star. October 28, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ a b Rockell, Kim (January 2013). "The Philippine Rondalla: A Gift of Musical Heritage in a Migrant Contex". International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies. 9 (1): 116.
- ^ Tann, Avianne (June 25, 2015). "26 Filipino Words Now Officially Part Of The English Language". BuzzFeed. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ "State Advertising Plans of Nevadans Unlimited are Outlined by New Director". Reno Gazette-Journal. September 8, 1937. Retrieved June 30, 2018.(subscription required)
- ^ "Globe Trotter Tells of Philippine Wonders". Detroit Free Press. October 12, 1930. Retrieved June 30, 2018.(subscription required)
- ^ Defeo, Reuben (June 16, 2003). "Mabuhay Joya!". Philippine Star. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
External links edit
- "We Say Mabuhay" is performed following Rodrigo Roa Duterte's inaugural oath of office in 2016
- "We Say Mabuhay" is performed in 2014 as Benigno Aquino III exits Malacañang Palace with Barack Obama
- Vocal performance of "We Say Mabuhay" by the Philippine Marine Corps
- Photo of Tirso Cruz with his band at the Manila Hotel in the 1930s