Francis Hopkinson
Artistic and literary, more than a patriot brave,
Hopkinson--the way to freedom he helped pave.
Francis Hopkinson was identified as an Episcopalian by the Dictionary of American Biography, published in 1936, and was vestryman and organist of Christ Church, Philadelphia, as well as reorganizer of the post revolutionary church. http://www.flagguys.com/hop.html#williams Ian Dorion, "Table of the Religious Affiliations of American Founders," 1997. He was secretary of the organizing convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church. http://www.geocities.com/peterroberts.geo/Relig-Politics/FHopkinson.html
Francis was born of English parents in Philadelphia. His mother was the daughter of the Bishop of Worcester and, like her husband, was well educated. He worked for the Crown, and the couple moved amongst the elite of England. They maintained their royal standing in Philadelphia with him filling several offices under his native government. Through common interests, he soon became a friend of Benjamin Franklin. B. J. Lossing, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, George F. Cooledge & Brother: New York (1848) [reprinted in Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, WallBuilder Press: Aledo, Texas (1995)], page 85.
When her husband died, Mrs. Hopkinson, knowing her son had indications of genius, made every effort despite her limited income to give him a superior education. Ben Franklin saw him through the College of Philadelphia whereby her son became a successful lawyer.
During his busy public career, Hopkinson left a legacy in the fields of music, art, and literature. In art, he was noted particularly for his crayon portraits and his work on heraldic emblems. My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free is contained in a collection of Hopkinson's manuscripts, dating 1759-60, and housed in the Music Division of the Library of Congress. "The song posses a charming, graceful melody, which is often punctuated by a repeated passing-note, resulting in a somewhat syncopated effect. A brief postlude concludes the piece." Library of Congress
He began to play the harpsichord at age 17. By the 1760's he was good enough on the harpsichord to play with professional musicians in concerts. He also played organ at Philadelphia's Christ Church in 1770. In the 1780's, Hopkinson modified a glass harmonica to be played with a keyboard and invented the Bellarmonic, an instrument that utilized the tones of metal balls. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Hopkinson
Between 1757 and 1773, Hopkinson contributed numerous poems and satirical essays for various periodicals. The following year, he began advancing the patriot cause with pamphlets, essays, and letters that ridiculed the British and the Loyalists. He outlined colonial grievances which encouraged the colonists to want freedom. The Prophecy, an allegory that likened royal government to a certain tree planted by the king in America, predicted America's independence.
His eldest son Joseph wrote 'Hail Columbia.'
Life and Works of Francis Hopkinson. Contributors: George Everett Hastings, author. Publisher: University of Chicago Press. Chicago. Publication Year: 1926.
Rev. Charles A. Goodrich Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence. New York: William Reed & Co., 1856. Pages 222-225.
"Columbia" referred to the New World discovered by Christopher Columbus and, by the time of the revolution, evolved into a term for the American identity. It symbolized liberty, progress, republican values, and female republican virtue. "Hail, Columbia" served as the nation's first anthem to emphasize American independence, unity, and separation from European affairs.
It was first played at Trenton when Washington was on his way to New York to be inaugurated president.
Hail Columbia, happy land!
Hail, ye heroes, heav'n-born band,
Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,
Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,
And when the storm of war was gone,
Enjoy'd the peace your valor won.
Let independence be our boast,
Ever mindful what it cost;
Ever grateful for the prize,
Let its altar reach the skies.
Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.
Immortal patriots, rise once more,
Defend your rights, defend your shore!
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Invade the shrine where sacred lies
Of toil and blood, the well-earned prize,
While off'ring peace, sincere and just,
In Heaven's we place a manly trust,
That truth and justice will prevail,
And every scheme of bondage fail.
Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.
Behold the chief who now commands,
Once more to serve his country stands.
The rock on which the storm will break,
The rock on which the storm will break,
But armed in virtue, firm, and true,
His hopes are fixed on Heav'n and you.
When hope was sinking in dismay,
When glooms obscured Columbia's day,
His steady mind, from changes free,
Resolved on death or liberty.
Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.
Sound, sound the trump of fame,
Let Washington's great fame
Ring through the world with loud applause,Ring through the world with loud applause,
Let ev'ry clime to freedom dear,
Listen with a joyful ear,
With equal skill, with God-like pow'r
He governs in the fearful hour
Of horrid war, or guides with ease
The happier time of honest peace.
Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.
Music composed by Philip Phile
Words by Joseph Hopkinson in 1798; © 1999 AmeriMusic, Inc.
http://ingeb.org/songs/hailcolu.html
Oh unfading glory!
Oh immortal joy!
In furrows of pain
Good is already germinating.
The fearful night came to an end,
Liberty sublime
Is spreading the dawns
Of its invincible light.
The whole of humanity,
Which is groaning under chains,
Understands the words
Of the One who died on the Cross.
"Independence" cries
The American world;
In heroes' blood is bathing
The Land of Columbus.
But this great principle:
"The King is not sovereign",
Resounds, and those who suffer
Praise the passion in it.
The words to Colombia's anthem was first performed in 1887 and was officially adopted in 1946. Eleven verses in total, "Oh! Gloria inmarcesible!" (Oh Unfading Glory!)
My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free
October 2, 1991
By mayor of the District of Columbia
WHEREAS, those citizens whose contributions
have redefined the course of this great nation's history are worthy of public
praise and recognition; and
WHEREAS, Francis Hopkinson is one such citizen who merits the esteem of his
fellow man and woman as a result of his achievements in the realm of heraldry
and through designing our Nation's flag; and
WHEREAS, Francis Hopkinson, born in 1737 and died in 1791, the District of
Columbia's year of establishment, designed the first official United States flag
in 1777 and is also credited with the designs leading up to the current Great
Seal of the United States of America, State Seal of New Jersey, Admiralty Board
Seal, Board of War and Ordinance Seal and the Seal of the University of
Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Taking the "unofficial" American flag, which contained the British
Union Jack in the Upper left-hand corner, Francis Hopkinson replaced the Union
Jack with a constellation of thirteen stars representative of the emerging
United States of America:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, do hereby proclaim
October 2, 1991, as "FRANCIS HOPKINSON DAY" in Washington, D.C. and, during this
our Bicentennial year, call upon all the residents of our great city to join me
in saluting the historical legacy of Francis Hopkinson.
Signed By: Sharon Pratt Dixon, Mayor of Washington, D.C.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psalm 37:7
Department of State
