The Army Goes Rolling Along
Encyclopedia
"The Army Goes Rolling Along" is the official song of the United States Army
and is typically called "The Army Song."
Song" written by field artillery
First Lieutenant
(later Brigadier General
) Edmund L. Gruber
, Lieutenant William Bryden, and Lieutenant (later Major General) Robert Danford while stationed at Fort Stotsenburg
in the Philippines in March 1908. The tune quickly became popular in field artillery units. In 1917 the Secretary of the Navy
and Army Lieutenant George Friedlander of the 306th Field Artillery asked John Philip Sousa
to create a march
using the "Caisson Song." Sousa changed the key, harmony, and rhythm and renamed it "U.S. Field Artillery." The recording sold 750,000 copies. Sousa didn't know who had written the song and had been told that it dated back to the Civil War
. Although an Army magazine claims that Sousa passed on his royalties
to Gruber., other sources state that Gruber became involved in a prolonged legal battle to recover the rights to music he had written and that had been lifted (unknowingly or not) by Sousa and widely sold by sheet music publishers who reaped profits while Gruber received nothing. The music became so popular that it was also used in radio ads by firms such as the Hoover Vacuum Company. Gruber lost his battle in the courts. They ruled that he had waited too long to complain and that his music was by that time in the public domain.
"The Caisson Song" was never designated as the official U.S.Army song likely because the lyrics were too closely identified with the field artillery and not the entire army. The official song retains Gruber's music, but with re-written lyrics.
, Marine Corps
, Air Force
, and Coast Guard
had already adopted official songs, the Army was anxious to find a song of its own. In 1948, the Army conducted a contest to find an official song (Tom Lehrer
claims to have submitted "It Makes a Fellow Proud to Be a Soldier" in this contest), but no entry received much popular support. In 1952, Secretary of the Army Frank Pace
asked the music industry to submit songs and received over 800 submissions. "The Army's Always There" by Sam Stept won the contest, and an Army band
performed it at President
Dwight D. Eisenhower's
inaugural parade on January 20, 1953. However, many thought that the tune was too similar to "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts
," so the Army decided to keep Gruber's melody from the "Caisson Song" but with new lyrics. A submission of lyrics by Harold W. Arberg, a music advisor to the Adjutant General
, was accepted. Secretary of the Army Wilber Marion Brucker
dedicated the music on Veterans Day
, November 11, 1956. The song is played at the conclusion of most U.S. Army ceremonies, and all soldiers are expected to stand at attention and sing. When more than one service song is played, they are played in the order specified by Army regulations: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
As the caissons go rolling along.
Up and down, in and out, Countermarch and right about,
And our caissons go rolling along.
For it's hi-hi-hee in the Field Artillery,
Shout out the number loud and strong.
Till our final ride, It will always be our pride
To keep those caissons a rolling along.
(Keep them rolling - keep them rolling)*
Keep those caissons a rolling along.
(B-a-t-t-e-r-y H-a-l-t!)*
Verse:
Refrain:
Verse:
Refrain:
Verse:
Refrain:
Intro:
Verse:
Refrain:
Verse:
Verse:
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and is typically called "The Army Song."
The Caisson Song
The song is based on the "CaissonCaisson (military)
A limber is a two-wheeled cart designed to support the trail of an artillery piece, or the stock of a field carriage such as a caisson or traveling forge, allowing it to be towed. A caisson is a two-wheeled cart designed to carry artillery ammunition...
Song" written by field artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
(later Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
) Edmund L. Gruber
Edmund L. Gruber
Edmund Louis "Snitz" Gruber was an artillery officer and general in the United States Army who also gained popularity as composer of military music. He served as Commandant of the Command and General Staff College from October 1940 to May 1941.-Life and career:Edmund Louis Gruber was born in...
, Lieutenant William Bryden, and Lieutenant (later Major General) Robert Danford while stationed at Fort Stotsenburg
Fort Stotsenburg
Fort Stotsenburg, during the World War II era, was the location of the Philippine Department's 26th Cavalry Regiment, 86th Field Artillery Regiment, and 88th Field Artillery Regiment; along with the Philippine Division's 23rd and 24th Field Artillery Regiments...
in the Philippines in March 1908. The tune quickly became popular in field artillery units. In 1917 the Secretary of the Navy
United States Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America is the head of the Department of the Navy, a component organization of the Department of Defense...
and Army Lieutenant George Friedlander of the 306th Field Artillery asked John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era, known particularly for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition, he is known as "The March King" or the "American March King" due to his British counterpart Kenneth J....
to create a march
March (music)
A march, as a musical genre, is a piece of music with a strong regular rhythm which in origin was expressly written for marching to and most frequently performed by a military band. In mood, marches range from the moving death march in Wagner's Götterdämmerung to the brisk military marches of John...
using the "Caisson Song." Sousa changed the key, harmony, and rhythm and renamed it "U.S. Field Artillery." The recording sold 750,000 copies. Sousa didn't know who had written the song and had been told that it dated back to the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Although an Army magazine claims that Sousa passed on his royalties
Royalties
Royalties are usage-based payments made by one party to another for the right to ongoing use of an asset, sometimes an intellectual property...
to Gruber., other sources state that Gruber became involved in a prolonged legal battle to recover the rights to music he had written and that had been lifted (unknowingly or not) by Sousa and widely sold by sheet music publishers who reaped profits while Gruber received nothing. The music became so popular that it was also used in radio ads by firms such as the Hoover Vacuum Company. Gruber lost his battle in the courts. They ruled that he had waited too long to complain and that his music was by that time in the public domain.
"The Caisson Song" was never designated as the official U.S.Army song likely because the lyrics were too closely identified with the field artillery and not the entire army. The official song retains Gruber's music, but with re-written lyrics.
Search for an Official Song
As the NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, and Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
had already adopted official songs, the Army was anxious to find a song of its own. In 1948, the Army conducted a contest to find an official song (Tom Lehrer
Tom Lehrer
Thomas Andrew "Tom" Lehrer is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, mathematician and polymath. He has lectured on mathematics and musical theater...
claims to have submitted "It Makes a Fellow Proud to Be a Soldier" in this contest), but no entry received much popular support. In 1952, Secretary of the Army Frank Pace
Frank Pace
Frank Pace, Jr. was a the 3rd United States Secretary of the Army and business executive.-Biography:Pace was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and attended The Hill School, Pottstown, Pennsylvania...
asked the music industry to submit songs and received over 800 submissions. "The Army's Always There" by Sam Stept won the contest, and an Army band
United States military bands
There are many military bands in the United States military. Some are assigned to specific military bases or units. There are also bands associated with each of the service academies....
performed it at President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Dwight D. Eisenhower's
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
inaugural parade on January 20, 1953. However, many thought that the tune was too similar to "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts
I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts
"I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" is a novelty song composed in 1944 by Fred Heatherton, an English songwriter. It celebrates the coconut shy at funfairs....
," so the Army decided to keep Gruber's melody from the "Caisson Song" but with new lyrics. A submission of lyrics by Harold W. Arberg, a music advisor to the Adjutant General
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
, was accepted. Secretary of the Army Wilber Marion Brucker
Wilber Marion Brucker
Wilber Marion Brucker was an American Republican politician. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, he served as the 32nd Governor of Michigan from 1931 to 1933 and as the United States Secretary of the Army between July 21, 1955 and January 19, 1961.-Early life:Brucker was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the son...
dedicated the music on Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
, November 11, 1956. The song is played at the conclusion of most U.S. Army ceremonies, and all soldiers are expected to stand at attention and sing. When more than one service song is played, they are played in the order specified by Army regulations: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
Caisson Song (1908, original version)
Over hill over dale we will hit the dusty trailAs the caissons go rolling along.
Up and down, in and out, Countermarch and right about,
And our caissons go rolling along.
For it's hi-hi-hee in the Field Artillery,
Shout out the number loud and strong.
Till our final ride, It will always be our pride
To keep those caissons a rolling along.
(Keep them rolling - keep them rolling)*
Keep those caissons a rolling along.
(B-a-t-t-e-r-y H-a-l-t!)*
U.S. Field Artillery (1917)
(by Gruber, arranged by Sousa, copyright and published by Carl Fischer)Verse:
- Over hill, over dale
- We have hit the dusty trail,
- And the Caissons go rolling along.
- In and out, hear them shout,
- Counter marching and right about,
- And those Caissons go rolling along.
Refrain:
- For it's hi! hi! hee!
- In the field artillery,
- count out your numbers loud and strong,two three for hut two three
- And where e'er you go,
- You will always know
- That the Caissons go rolling along.
Verse:
- In the storm, in the night,
- Action left or action right
- See those Caissons go rolling along
- Limber front, limber rear,
- Prepare to mount your cannoneer
- And those Caissons go rolling along.
Refrain:
- For it's hi! hi! hee!
- In the field artillery,
- Shout out your numbers loud and strong,
- And where e'er you go,
- You will always know
- That the Caissons go rolling along.
Verse:
- Was it high, was it low,
- Tell me where did that one go?
- As those Caissons go rolling along
- Was it left, was it right,
- Now we won't get home tonight
- And those Caissons go rolling along.
Refrain:
- For it's hi! hi! hee!
- In the field artillery,
- Shout out your numbers loud and strong,
- And where e'er you go,
- You will always know
- That the Caissons go rolling along.
The Army Goes Rolling Along (1956, current official version)
typically only the first verse and refrain are sung (not including the intro)Intro:
- March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free
- Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory
- We're the Army and proud of our name
- We're the Army and proudly proclaim
Verse:
- First to fight for the right,
- And to build the Nation’s might,
- And The Army Goes Rolling Along
- Proud of all we have done,
- Fighting till the battle’s won,
- And the Army Goes Rolling Along.
Refrain:
- Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey!
- The Army's on its way.
- Count off the cadenceMilitary cadenceIn the armed services, a military cadence or cadence call is a traditional call-and-response work song sung by military personnel while running or marching...
loud and strong* - * "Two! Three!" is typically sung here but is not an official part of the song
- For where e’er we go,
- You will always know
- That The Army Goes Rolling Along.
Verse:
- Valley ForgeValley ForgeValley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
, Custer'sGeorge Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
ranks, - San Juan HillBattle of San Juan HillThe Battle of San Juan Hill , also known as the battle for the San Juan Heights, was a decisive battle of the Spanish-American War. The San Juan heights was a north-south running elevation about two kilometers east of Santiago de Cuba. The names San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill were names given by the...
and Patton's tanks, - And the Army went rolling along
- Minute menMinutemenMinutemen were members of teams of select men from the American colonial partisan militia during the American Revolutionary War. They provided a highly mobile, rapidly deployed force that allowed the colonies to respond immediately to war threats, hence the name.The minutemen were among the first...
, from the startContinental ArmyThe Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
, - Always fighting from the heart,
- And the Army keeps rolling along.
Verse:
- Men in rags, men who froze,
- Still that Army met its foes,
- And the Army went rolling along.
- Faith in God, then we're right,
- And we'll fight with all our might,
- As the Army keeps rolling along.
See also
- Marines' HymnMarines' HymnThe "Marines' Hymn" is the official hymn of the United States Marine Corps. It is the oldest official song in the United States military. The "Marines' Hymn" is typically sung at the position of attention as a gesture of respect...
- The U.S. Air Force (song)The U.S. Air Force (song)The U.S. Air Force is the official song of the United States Air Force. Written in 1939, it is known informally as "The Air Force Song," and is often referred to informally as "Into the Wild Blue Yonder", "Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder," or simply "Wild Blue Yonder."Originally, the song was...
- Anchors AweighAnchors Aweigh"Anchors Aweigh" is the fight song of the United States Naval Academy, and strongly associated with the United States Navy, composed in 1906 by Charles A. Zimmerman with lyrics by Alfred Hart Miles. Zimmerman was at the time a Lieutenant, and had been bandmaster of the United States Naval Academy...
- Semper Paratus (march)Semper Paratus (march)"Semper Paratus" is the official march of the United States Coast Guard.Semper Paratus is also the official Coast Guard motto...