"Columbia, Gem of the Ocean" - Carmen Dragon arranger / conductor

Composed in the 1840s, this American patriotic song was long used as an unofficial national anthem of the United States. Conductor/arranger Carmen Dragon recorded over 30 LPs for 'Capitol' during the 1950s, firstly with the Hollywood Bowl Symphony and later with the Capitol Symphony Orchestra. All but four of these LPs were made in California but this track comes from one of the four that Carmen Dragon made on a visit to London in 1959. It is splendidly played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, though still listed as the Capitol Symphony on the sleeve, and comes from an LP entitled "Over the Waves." Carmen Dragon collectors will be pleased to know that all his 'Capitol' recordings have now been released on CD by 'Scribendum.'

[@DuffyWayne]

I'd love for this song to be our national anthem

[@ivansteinke6458]

Before 1931 it was

[@Am3rican_Empire]

@@ivansteinke6458it was unofficial, still this fits way better as a national anthem

[@phatgeezer1955]

Carmen Dragon's son Daryl Dragon once worked as a keyboardist for The Beach Boys, where he wore a naval officer's hat on stage, and adopted the satge name of "The Captain". Later he found more success as the male half of Captain and Tennille.

[@holtek86]

I never made that connection :O

[@monkeymanproductions8210]

This is my favorite version of the song

[@leona7522]

Superb rendition ✨💐

[@adam28xx]

Thanks for listening

[@donnrutkoff922]

I want a 180 gram vinyl of this album Over The Waves. The sound is great. Didn't know the RPO went under the name Capitol S O but hey, it is the music business. Rule Britannia, Blow the Man Down, etc.

[@JoshuaTreePark2002]

GLORIOUS!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@donnrutkoff922]

The whole album is great especially in mono, Over The Waves.

[@yoojinchoi5874]

God Bless America :)

[@user-me8kr6mv5l]

🎉🎉🎉🎉 very beautiful 🎵 utube john bavas crazy

[@herkload]

🇺🇸

[@user-uu3bj8ff3z]

Popeye's Victory Theme