Origins:
* Melody: The melody is attributed to Charles Ziehrer, an Austrian composer who wrote a piece called "Auf der Reeperbahn nachts um halb eins" in 1897.
* Lyrics: The lyrics were written much later by Alfred F. Hart in 1906. He was a member of the United States Naval Academy's Glee Club and penned the words for the song.
Motivation:
* Boosting Morale: Hart's intention was to create a spirited song to raise morale within the Naval Academy. The lyrics celebrate the camaraderie, traditions, and spirit of the Naval Academy.
* Honoring the Navy: The song became a popular anthem for the U.S. Navy, though not officially adopted as such.
Evolution:
* The original version of the lyrics contained a few lines that were considered insensitive and later removed. These included verses that referred to "darkies" and "chinks."
In summary, "Anchors Aweigh" was written to create a lively and inspiring song for the U.S. Naval Academy, and it has since become a popular anthem for the Navy as a whole.