413. Veterans Day

I have often written of the United States veterans in my life, most specifically of my grandfather Dan Hockensmith. I have a great deal of respect for those who don the uniform of any branch of the military of our Republic, irrespective of whatever else they have or haven't done with their lives. I count among the several failures of my forty-eight plus years of not doing a stint of service when I was younger. I could have used the discipline. A few of my high school friends left from Broadbent Arena on graduation day in 1978 and went and signed up for Uncle Sam. Two of them made a career of it, retiring after twenty years of service at the age of 38, ten years ago. At my 30th high school reunion a few weeks ago I caught up with two more classmates who eventually made their way into the service and both are still serving in some capacity and I think that is a great and noble thing.

So, as if there is a soundtrack attached to the blog, which there probably could be but isn't, below you will find the lyrics to several service hymns or anthems. I can play all of them on the piano and do so from time to time. Although my piano is in my mother's living room, and thus not here, I may try to find one tomorrow to tickle out a few of these songs. If you know them, sing along. If not, take the time to learn them. At the end is a link to a United States Navy Band website where you can listen to all of them and much more.

*****

The United States Navy - Anchors Away

Stand Navy out to sea
Fight our battle cry
We’ll never change our course
So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y
Roll out the T.N.T.
Anchors Aweigh
Sail on to victory and
Sink their bones to Davy Jones hooray!

Yo ho there shipmate
Take the fighting to the far off sea
Hear the wailing of the wild banshees
All hands, fire brands Let’s blast them as we go, so

Anchors Aweigh my boys
Anchors Aweigh
It is farewell to foreign shores (or farewell to college joys,)
We sail at break of day day day day
Through our last night on shore
Drink to the foam
Until we meet once more
Here’s wishing you a happy voyage home!

Heave a ho there sailor
Everybody drink up while you may
Heave a ho there sailor
For your gonna sail a break of day
Drink away, Drink away,
For you sail at break of day, hey!

Anchors Aweigh my boys
Anchors Aweigh
Farewell to college joys
We sail at break of day day day day
Through our last night on shore
Drink to the foam
Until we meet once more
Here’s wishing you a happy voyage home!

The United States Army - The Army Goes Rolling Along

Over hill, over dale
We have hit the dusty trail,
And the Caissons go rolling along.
In and out, hear them shout,
Counter march and right about,
And the Army goes rolling along.

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 Army goes rolling along.

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.

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.

The United States Marines - The Marine's Hymn

From the halls of Montezuma,
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From the dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And have never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

The United States Air Force - The Air Force Song

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one hell of a roar!*
We live in fame or go down in flame.
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
Keep the wings level and true;
If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue! (Out of the blue, boy!)
Flying men, guarding the nation's border,
We'll be there, followed by more!
In echelon we carry on.
Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!

The United States Coast Guard - Semper Paratus

From Aztec Shore to Arctic Zone,
To Europe and Far East,
The Flag is carried by our ships
In times of war and peace;
And never have we struck it yet,
In spite of foemen's might,
Who cheered our crews and cheered again
For showing how to fight.

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through surf and storm and howling gale,
High shall our purpose be,
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our fame, our glory, too.
To fight to save or fight and die!
Aye! Coast Guard, we are for you.

And finally, for my grandfather, a member of the United States Navy 114th Construction Batallion Maintenance Unit - We're The Seabees of the Navy

We're the Seabees of the Navy
We can build and we can fight
We'll pave the way to victory
And guard it day and night

And we promise that we remember
The "Seventh of December"
We're the Seabees of the Navy
Bees of the Seven Seas

The Navy wanted men
That's where we came in
Mister Brown and Mister Jones
The Owens, the Cohens and Flynn

The Navy wanted more
Of Uncle Sammy's kin
So we all joined up
And brother we're in to win

(Unofficial third verse)

We're the Seabees of the Navy
The "Can Do" Bees in green
In war or peace you'll find us
ready on the scene.

And no matter what our mission
we'll uphold our proud tradition
We're the Seabees of the Navy
Bees of the Seven Seas.
*****

Happy Veterans Day.

http://www.navyband.navy.mil/anthems/service_songs.htm