GAF Songbook

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

There isn't an army anywhere that doesn't have its repertoire of songs.  Even today soldiers are coming up with new songs.  I know most of the songs sung by Canadian soldiers in WW II and Korea.  But how about the US army that served in the West that GAF perpetuates. The only song that I know from that time and place was the 7CAVR "Garryowen";

http://www.us7thcavalry.com/legend.htm

So lets build on this theme and create a GAF songbook!

[cpt dan blodgett]

We do have the "Minstrel Boy" as a regimental song.
Garry Owen is impossible for most people to sing, it moves so fast.  There was a nice rendition by a lady in "The Rough Riders"

We could adopt "Suzie Q" as re written by a couple of my army buds in Cambodia in 70, but am afraid it would get 3 X.
Was catchy thou crude and profain.

There are many classics like "Lily Marlene" "Sky Pilot" "Over There" "Bonny Blue Flag" 'Dixie' "Battle Hymn of the Republic, All the service songs.  The flip side of Ballad of the Green Berets - This letter is postmarked Vietnam was a tear jerker.

[Delmonico]

There was a nice rendition by a lady in "The Rough Riders"

That lady was John Milius wife Elan.  And she does do a good version.

[Trailrider]

I have a couple of albums of CW and IW songs, including "Fiddler's Green", "It's Old Arizona Again" (3rd or 6th or 8th Cav), "In the Regular Army-Oh!" and some others. Not sure how I'd put them on the net, but they do exist. Also got a 45 RPM single with "Garry Owen" on one side and "In the Valley of Montana All Alone" on the other. That one came from the LBH museum, but it's been a few years, so I'm not sure if they are still available.

[FTrooper]

I have an original 1874 dated sheet music for "In the Regular Army-Oh!"  

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

[Pitspitr]

1874? There are references to Crook's horse meat march in it.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I found this UK site that has lyrics and music.  This is the board for traditional American songs.  Not allVERY FEW will be military but it might jog some memories.

http://www.ukmagic.co.uk/songs_america.htm

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq.]

There are a number of lyric sites.  Here are some of my favorites:

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/traditional-music/

http://www.sailorsongs.com/lyrics.html

http://www.mudcat.org/

You'll find fairly few purely military songs, but lots of period pieces that I'm sure would have been popular in barracks (either in the original form or "modified" as "barracks songs").   

I suspect that if GAF wanted a song book it could be created.  But there would also have to be suppliments.  I'm sure they would be classified CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, TOP SECRET, AND TIPPY TIPPY TOP SECRET NOFORN LIMDIS CANUKUS EYES ONLY BURN BEFORE READING AND THEN COMMIT SUICIDE.  That last category would include such dittys as "The Maid From Amsterdam," "Bang Away LuLu," and "The North Atlantic Squadron."   

Oscar Brand has put out several albums in the past.  I've not looked to see if he did any older songs, but has done sea shanties and aviation songs (most of which are PG or more).

Intesting topic, what?!?!   

SQQ

[Ol Gabe]

Don't forget 'I'm Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines'.
A Google search shows the lyrics and music along with a note about the time frame.
Best regards and good singing!
'Ol Gabe

[Pitspitr]

Nobody's mentioned The Girl I left Behind.

Most of these songs are available on I-Tunes. I've downloaded a few.

[cpt dan blodgett]

What have I been thinking, no "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" either or did I miss it.

[Delmonico]

The night before the 7th left the Yellowstone encampment it is said/recorded some of the officers sany songs around the campfire, I remember Annie Laurie and The Doxology being mentioned.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

1 of my favorites.


"4 & 20 Virgins came down from Inverness...."

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/jim+croce/ball+of+kerrymuir_20156096.html

[Calico Kirby]

The night before the 7th left the Yellowstone encampment it is said/recorded some of the officers sany songs around the campfire, I remember Annie Laurie and The Doxology being mentioned.

Delmonico is spot on with this comment.  They sang four or five songs (and now I can't remember all of them).  They were going to end with the Doxology, but after it was over they felt it ended on too much of a somber note, so they finished with "He's A Jolly Good Fellow."
I know Even Connell lists all the songs in his Son of the Morning Star book, but I don't remember the chapter and page.