After the war with the Barbary Pirates in 1805,which the capture of Dernes took place in,during which Lieutenant P.N. O'Bannon and his small force of Marines took part in and hoisted the American flag for the first time over a fortress of the Old World, the Colors of the Corps was inscribed with: "To the Shores of Tripoli." After they participated in the capture of Mexico city and the Castle of Capultepec, otherwise known as the " Halls of Montezuma." The words on the flag were changed to say: " From the Shores of Tripoli to the Halls of Montezuma." But for the sake of euphony, and unknown author rewrote the first two lines of the hymn to say: "From the Halls of Montezuma, To the Shores of Tripoli." The melody is not in the exact form of the Marine Hymn, but the tune of the hymn can be found in the opera "Genevieve de Brabant

 
From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, 
We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea. 
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean; 
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun. 
We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gun. 
In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes, 
You will find us always on the job,The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps which we are proud to serve. 
In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve. 
If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, 
they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.

 
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