Navy — Armed Forces Week

The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) salutes the United States Navy during the 2023 Armed Forces Week. Each branch of the Armed Forces has its own song, which many have heard combined in the famous version of the Armed Forces Medley. What many may not realize is that the words to each song portray its branch’s core values and beliefs.

In honor of the U.S. Navy, we want to publish the 1997 version of “Anchors Aweigh”, the original of which debuted at the 1906 Army-Navy game, designed by its writer, Midshipman First Class Alfred Hart Miles, and its composer, Lieutenant Charles A. Zimmermann, to be a “a piece of music that would be inspiring, one with a swing to it so that it could be used as a football marching song, and one that would live forever.” The Midshipmen won the game 10–0. The words were later changed to make it more inclusive of the Navy rather than just the Naval Academy.

Verse 1

Stand Navy out to sea,

Fight our battle cry;

We’ll never change our course,

So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y.

Roll out the TNT,

Anchors Aweigh.

Sail on to victory

And sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!

Verse 2

Anchors Aweigh, my boys,

Anchors Aweigh.

Farewell to foreign shores,

We sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.

Through our last night ashore,

Drink to the foam,

Until we meet once more.

Here’s wishing you a happy voyage home.

Verse 3

Blue of the mighty deep:

Gold of God’s great sun.

Let these our colors be

Till all of time be done, done, done, done.

On seven seas we learn

Navy’s stern call:

Faith, courage, service true,

With honor, over honor, over all.

The VLB wishes a Happy Armed Forces Week to the United States Navy and all who have served as Sailors! We are grateful for your choices and sacrifices to own the sea and protect our country.

The VLB is happy to provide any needed help for these American heroes. The mission for the VLB is “to ensure that we offer the very best package of Veterans benefits in the country and those of us who work for the VLB strive to meet those goals every day. For more than 70 years, we have had the honor to serve Veterans, Military Members and their families in Texas, and we look forward to keeping that promise in the years to come.” Call 1–800–252–8387, email VLBinfo@glo.texas.gov, or visit vlb.texas.gov to see the different benefits available.

If you are a Veteran, thank you for your service. Click Here to Sign Up to stay informed on your benefits with the Texas Veterans Land Board.