Jump to content

Semper Supra (march)

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mdnavman (talk | contribs) at 11:21, 23 September 2022 (→External links: Typo.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Semper Supra
English: Always Above
Organizational anthem of the United States Space Force
LyricsJames Teachenor, 2022
MusicJames Teachenor and Sean Nelson, 2022
Adopted2022; 3 years ago (2022)

"Semper Supra" (Latin for "Always Above") is the official march of the United States Space Force, composed in 2022 by James Teachenor and Sean Nelson

Etymology

"Semper Supra" is named after the U.S. Space Force's official motto, Semper Supra.[1] After the creation of the U.S. Space Force on 20 December 2019, United States Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Sanchez — who researched the mottos of other military branches and chose "Semper Supra" because of both its ease of pronunciation and the alliteration of both the Latin phrase and its English translation "Always Above" — proposed the motto,[2] and the U.S. Space Force officially adopted it on 22 July 2020.[3]

History

Singer-songwriter James Teachenor, a former member of the United States Air Force Band band at the United States Air Force Academy, wrote the lyrics and composed the melody for Semper Supra.[1][4] Upon the creation of the Space Force in December 2019, he began working with the Chief of Space Operations, General John W. "Jay" Raymond, to start the process of writing the song.[1] He explained, "The song was a long work in progress because I wanted it to encompass all the capabilities that the Space Force offers and its vision."[1][4]

Teachenor sent the melody and lyrics to various U.S. military bands for them to suggest arrangements and finishing touches,[1][4] and the bands submitted 12 different arrangements for consideration.[1] Teachenor then collaborated with Chief Musician Sean Nelson, a trombonist and staff arranger with the United States Coast Guard Band.[1][4] Nelson completed the song with harmonies and orchestration, adding more than 30 instrumental parts.[1] "I became familiar with the other branches' songs, but I wanted this one to have its own modern spin to reflect what the Space Force is — modern, new and very advanced," Nelson said.[1][4] The U.S. Coast Guard Band recorded Nelson's arrangement of the song for review by the Space Force.[1] After months of coordination between the Space Force and Coast Guard Band to further develop and revise the song and variations of it, the Space Force chose the final version of "Semper Supra."[1]

The song was unveiled in a public performance by members of the U.S. Air Force Band on 20 September 2022 during a speech Raymond gave at the 2022 Air & Space Forces Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Maryland.[5] In announcing the Space Force's adoption of the song as its service anthem, Raymond explained, "We wanted a song that spoke to our guardians [the Space Force's term for its personnel], that brought to life our motto, 'Semper Supra.' And it all comes together into something that I hope guardians around the world will be proud of.”[6] Raymond added, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to establish a Space Force song that will be part of our culture and heritage for years to come. Our traditions are part of the fabric that weave us all together as we execute our missions side-by-side;[1][4] I will be proud to sing 'Semper Supra' alongside my fellow Guardians."[1]

In announcing the selection of the song, the United States Department of the Air Force stated, "It was created to capture the esprit de corps of both current and future Guardians, and intends to bring together service members by giving them a sense of pride."[1]

Lyrics

We’re the mighty watchful eye,
Guardians beyond the blue,
The invisible front line,
Warfighters brave and true.

Boldly reaching into space,
There's no limit to our sky.
Standing guard both night and day,
We’re the Space Force from on high.[4]

Teachenor and Nelson gifted "Semper Supra" and the copyright to its music and lyrics to the U.S. Department of the Air Force, which is the exclusive owner of the copyright.[1]

See also

Notes

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, "Space Force reveals official song: "Semper Supra"," Space Force News, September 20, 2022 Accessed 22 September 2022
  2. ^ Staff reporting, "Meet the airman behind the Space Force motto 'Semper Supra'," ksby.com, February 2, 2022 Accessed 22 September 2022
  3. ^ Cohen, Rachel S. (2020-07-22). "Space Force Debuts New Delta Logo, Motto". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Kaufman, Ellie, "Space Force releases official song 'Semper Supra'," cnn.com, September 20, 2022 Accessed 22 September 2022
  5. ^ Brodeur, Michael Andor, "With new official anthem, the Space Force hopes to land on your radar," washingtonpost.com, September 20, 2022 Accessed 22 September 2022
  6. ^ Simkins, John, "Space Force debuts its official service song ‘Semper Supra’," Defense News, September 20, 2022 Accessed 22 September 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Semper_Supra_(march)&oldid=1111872018"