Heaven Watch The Philippines: Irving Berlin song dedicated to Gen. Douglas C. MacArthur

Legendary American composer Irving Berlin wrote a song in 1945 dedicated to Gen. Douglas C. MacArthur in commemoration of his liberation of the Philippines. The song is Heaven Watch The Philippines, the notes and lyrics of which are reproduced in this column.

The music sheet is illustrated by boy scouts while camping, drawn by no less than Fernando Amorsolo, later (in the ‘70s) named National Artist for Painting.

The Boys Scouts of the Philippines owns the local copyright to the song.

Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos recalls that as a young girl in Tacloban she sang Heaven Watch The Philippines in the presence of the composer, General MacArthur and other VIPs the Romualdez family entertained.

Irving Berlin wrote the very popular White Christmas, used as the theme of the 1954 movie of the same title. His other compositions include Putting on the Ritz, Mammy, Top Hat, On the Avenue, Alexander Ragtime Band, Blue Skies, Easter Parade, Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam, There’s No Business Like Show Business.

The lyrics of the song:

Heaven watch the Philippines.

Keep her safe from harm.

Guard her sons and their precious ones

In the city and on the farm.

Friendly with America.

Let her always be.

Heaven watch the Philippines.

And keep her forever free.                —RKC