Title: The Army Song
Informant info: Informant name is Jason Laackmann. Jason is twenty-eight years old and attends Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH as a United States Army Veteran. Jason served in the Army for five years in active duty and continues to serve in the Minnesota National Guard. The locations in which he has served are Fort Bend, Georgia, Fort Riley, Kansas, and overseas in Eastern Afghanistan.
Type of lore: Verbal Folklore, Songs, Lyrics
Language: English
Country of Origin: USA
Social / Cultural Context: Jason was interviewed at Dartmouth College. Jason was asked if he remembered any songs that they would sing during his training or time in the Army. He was asked to sing these songs out loud, but was too shy and sent the lyrics to me via email instead.
Associated File: There is no recorded video as Jason has sent me these lyrics via email.
Transcript: [I have recorded the item exactly how it was sent to me in the email]:
Below are a few running/marching cadences. Also listed are the army song and the first infantry doctors song, which we sang every morning. Let me know if you need more.
The army song:
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 cadence loud and strong (TWO! THREE!)
For where e’er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.
Informant’s comments: Jason mentioned that he has sung this song various times during his time in the Army, and stated it was hard to ever forget the lyrics.
Collector’s comments: Although Jason was hesitant to sing the songs out loud, he was more than willing to provide the lyrics and share this song with me.