(Syndicated, 1957)
[Episodes of this series about the U.S. Naval Submarine service
during World War II were introduced by a retired Rear Admiral
Thomas M. Dykers;
Although the stories were dramatizations, they were based upon
true events; in fact at the end of each episode an actual
participant was interviewed about the events; NBC Films
got the full cooperation of the U.S. Navy in filming the
series which lasted for 78 episodes (3 seasons)]
[aka: "Melita";
aka: "Silent Service Cues" arranged by Dave Kahn;
The official Navy Hymn "Eternal Father, Strong To Save"
was sung by a mens chorus;
The words of this ode were originally written in 1860 by a
Church of England Clergyman -- William Whiting -- after
he survived a stormy perilous voyage on the Mediterranean
Sea; In 1861 the words were found to have the same meter,
and were set to a previous hymn, composed by the Episcopal
Clergyman J. B. Dykes -- a hymn tune he had called "Melita"
(the ancient name for the Island of Malta);
Dykes was also co-composer of a number of famous Christian
hymns including "Holy, Holy, Holy", "Lead Kindly Light",
"Jesus, Lover of My Soul" and "Nearer, My God, to Thee";
In 1879 the choir director of the mens chorus at the Naval
Academy at Annapolis initiated the practice of beginning
each service by singing the first chorus of this hymn; and
so began a Navy tradition;
Although the words have been changed over the years since
it first was published in Protestant hymnals, it has been
a familiar traditional hymn for decades.
Omar Music Company was the publisher of the cues for this
series, which presumably contained any adaptation of the
THEME that was used.
Composers: music by Rev. John Bacchus ("J. B.") Dykes (predates ASCAP & BMI) and
lyric by William Whiting (predates ASCAP & BMI)
1978 Publisher: Omar Music Co. (ASCAP)
2001 Publisher: Omar Music Company (ASCAP),
of New York, NY
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recording: