The lyrics are also in another thread in the Forum. See also a post by richr in this thread.

"Found 29 documents" for "Columbia the gem of the ocean" by the Levy collection search. "16 Items containing the exact words Columbia the gem of the ocean" by the American Memory Sheet Music collection search.

"Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean was copyrighted in the United States on April 24, 1843, by George Willig, 171 Chesnut [sic] St., Philadelphia, under the title Columbia the Land of the Brave. This edition probably contains the first printing of the melody: p. [1] has a drawing of an American flag with 26 stars and 25 [sic] stripes. 'Written & Composed by David T. Shaw ... Arranged by T.A. Beckett.' Sung by W.G. Plumer and D.T. Shaw. m. on pp. [1]-[3]. p. [4] blank. Engraved. [...] Interestingly, the words, 'Columbia, the Land of the Brave,' do not appear in the song. The title was changed to the present American title in 1844 in the edition published by Osbourn.... Thomas à Beckett, an English musician and actor, who had long been a resident of Philadelphia, later claimed to be the sole author of the song, but no early edition so states." (James J. Fuld, The Book of World-Famous Music, 4th ed., Dover, 1995, p. 177)

~Masato