 The precise origin of the phrase is obscure, although the U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office notes the first use was by the "New Orleans Bee" newspaper in 1836, in reference to the actions of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service during the "Ingham" incident.The original lyrics (seen below) were written by Captain Francis Saltus Van Boskerck in 1922, at the cabin of in Savannah, Georgia; he wrote the music in 1927, on a "beat-up old piano" in Unalaska, Alaska.The current verse, as well as a second chorus, were written by Homer Smith, 3rd Naval District Coast Guard quartet; Chief Cole; and Lieutenant Walton Butterfield in 1943.