U.S. Army
United States Army
Service Song
The song for the Army was written by First Lieutenant Edmund L. Gruber, who later became a Brigadier General, while he was stationed in the Philippines in 1908 and was originally known as the “Caisson Song.” The words go like this…
The Caissons Go Rolling Along
Verse One
Over hill, over dale
As we hit the dusty trail,
And the Caissons go rolling along.
In and out, hear them shout,
(Counter march! and right about!)
Hear those wagon soldiers shout
While those Caissons go rolling along.
Refrain
Then it’s hi! hi! hee!
In the field artillery,
Shout out your numbers loud and strong,
For where’er you go,
You will always know
That the Caissons go rolling along.
Verse Two
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)
Verse Three Was it high, was it low,
Where the heck 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)
In 1956, the song was renamed “The Army Goes Rolling Along” and adopted as the official song of the Army. The lyrics have been changed to reflect the story of the Army’s past, present and future.
Here are the current lyrics as posted on the U.S. Army Bands website:
The Army Goes Rolling Along
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 One
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.
Verse Two
Valley Forge, Custer’s ranks,
San Juan Hill and Patton’s tanks,
And the Army went rolling along
Minute men, from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.
(refrain)
Verse Three
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.
(refrain)
