Verses from Sir Walter Scott's 1810 narrative poem The Lady of the Lake, including "The Boat Song" ("Hail to the Chief") with which clan oarsmen announce the arrival by boat of their chieftain Roderick Dhu at Ellen's Isle in Loch Katrine, were set to music around 1812 by the songwriter James Sanderson (c. 1769 – c. 1841); a self-taught English violinist and the conductor of the Surrey Theatre, London, who wrote many songs for local theatrical productions during the 1790s and the early years of the 19th century:[4] Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances!

In November 1810, Scott wrote to a friend that The Lady of the Lake was being made into a play by Martin and Reynolds in London and by a Mr. Siddons in Edinburgh.

About the same time, Scott received a letter from a friend and army officer who ended his note with a copy of the music of the Boat Song, "Hail to the Chief."

[6]Association with the president first occurred in 1815, when it was played to honor both George Washington and the end of the War of 1812 (under the name "Wreaths for the Chieftain").

[4] On July 4, 1828, the U.S. Marine Band performed the song at a ceremony for the formal opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which was attended by President John Quincy Adams.

After Arthur left office, the Marine Band resumed playing "Hail to the Chief" for public appearances by the president.

[4][10] The 1969 hit anti-Vietnam war single, "Fortunate Son", by the American rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival, specifically named "Hail to the Chief" when referring to patriots and jingoists.

[11] In his 1990 Broadway musical Assassins, composer Stephen Sondheim uses variations on "Hail To The Chief", most notably in the opening of the show where he switched it from its "traditional march beat into 3/4 time, a carnival waltz" to emphasise "its more sinister elements".

Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade; When the whirlwind has stript every leaf on the mountain, The more shall Clan Alpine exult in her shade.

Moor'd in the lifted rock, Proof to the tempest's shock, Firmer he roots him, the ruder it blow: Menteith and Breadalbane, then, Echo his praise agen, "Roderigh Vich Alpine Dhu, ho!