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"The Army Goes Rolling Along" The Official Song of The United States Army
The song was originally written by field artillery First Lieutenant [later
Brigadier General] Edmund L. Gruber, while stationed in the Philippines in 1908 as the
"Caisson Song." The original lyrics reflect routine activities in a
horse-drawn field artillery battery. The song was transformed into a march by John Philip Sousa in 1917 and
renamed "The Field Artillery Song."
It was adopted in 1956 as the official song of the Army and
retitled, "The Army Goes Rolling Along." The current lyrics tell the story
of our past, our present, and our future. For more on the history of "The Army
Goes Rolling Along," click on A Soldier's
Song.
The "Army Goes Rolling Along" is played at the
conclusion of every U.S. Army ceremony and all soldiers are expected to stand and sing.
The three selections below can be downloaded and used for this purpose when
a U.S. Army band
is not available.
Verse: |
March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free.
Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory.
Were the Army and proud of our name!
Were the Army and proudly proclaim: |
First Chorus: |
First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nations might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along.
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battles won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along. |
Refrain: |
Then its hi! hi! hey!
The Armys on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong;
For whereer we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along. |
Second Chorus: |
Valley Forge, Custers ranks,
San Juan Hill and Pattons tanks,
And the Army went rolling along.
Minute men, from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along. |
Refrain: |
(same as above) |
Third Chorus: |
(slower, more freely)
Men in rags, men who froze,
Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along.
Faith in God, then were right,
And well fight with all our might,
As the Army keeps rolling along. |
Refrain: |
Then its hi! hi! hey!
The Armys on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong; (two! three!)
For whereer we go,
You will always know
That THE ARMY GOES ROLLING ALONG! (keep it rolling!)
And THE ARMY GOES ROLLING ALONG!
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The Army Song |
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Outstanding Military Musician Award |
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