"Theme of Exodus", also known as "This Land is Mine" through its chorus, is a song composed and performed by Ernest Gold. It serves as the main theme song to Otto Preminger's epic film Exodus, based on the 1958 novel of the same name by Leon Uris, which tells the story of founding of the modern State of Israel.
The song was released on the soundtrack album for the picture. All music was written by Gold, who won both Best Soundtrack Album and Song of the Year at the 1961 Grammy Awards for the soundtrack and theme to Exodus respectively. It is the only instrumental song to ever receive that award.
Following its initial film appearance, the theme has been recorded by many artists in both instrumental and vocal versions, and has also appeared in a number of subsequent films and television programs. Bob Marley incorporated portions of the theme into his song "Exodus".
An instrumental version of the song by Ferrante & Teicher made No. 3 in Canada in December 1960, No. 1 on the Cashbox Top 100 and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1961, No. 6 in the UK in April 1961 and No. 2 on the Australian Kent Music Report charts also in April 1961. It reached No. 1 in New Zealand.NZ Lever Hit Parade, 25 May 1961
A jazz arrangement by saxophonist Eddie Harris hit the pop Top 40 and R&B charts in 1961, the single coming from his debut album Exodus to Jazz.Huey, Steve. Allmusic Review accessed May 7, 2012
Swedish pop band the Hounds released a cover of "Theme of Exodus", retitled "Exodus". Initially released by record label Gazell on 14 July 1966 with "Sloop John B" as the B-side, it was re-issued on 6 October 1966 with "A Car, A Boat, A House, A Girl Like You" on the B-side. Their rendition reached No. 3 on Tio i Topp and No. 11 on Kvällstoppen in Sweden, becoming their first major hit single.
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