The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MILITARY CADENCE

AROUND HER HAIR SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON.
(TROOPS ECHO)
SHE WORE IT IN THE SPRINGTIME, IN THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY.
(ECHO)
AND IF YOU ASKED HER WHY THE HELL SHE WORE IT.
(ECHO)
SHE WORE IT FOR HER SOLDIER, WHO WAS FAR, FAR AWAY.
(ECHO) MM
(CHORUS) FAR AWAY.
(ECHO)
FAR AWAY.
(ECHO)
(SUNG BY ALL) SHE WORE IT FOR HER SOLDIER WHO WAS FAR, FAR
AWAY. MM
AROUND THE PARK SHE PUSHED A BABY CARRIAGE.
(ECHO)
SHE PUSHED IT IN THE SPRINGTIME, IN THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY.
(ECHO)
AND IF YOU ASKED HER WHY THE HELL SHE PUSHED IT.
(ECHO)
SHE PUSHED IT FOR HER SOLDIER, WHO WAS FAR, FAR AWAY.
(ECHO) MM
(CHORUS) FAR AWAY.
(ECHO)
FAR AWAY.
(ECHO)
(SUNG BY ALL) SHE PUSHED IT FOR HER SOLDIER, WHO WAS FAR,
FAR AWAY. MM
BEHIND THE DOOR HER FATHER KEPT A SHOTGUN.
(ECHO)
HE KEPT IT IN THE SPRINGTIME, IN THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY.
(ECHO)
AND IF YOU ASKED HIM WHY THE HELL HE KEPT IT.
(ECHO)
HE KEPT IT FOR THAT SOLDIER, WHO WAS FAR, FAR AWAY.
(ECHO) MM
(CHORUS) FAR AWAY.
(ECHO)
FAR AWAY.
(ECHO)
(SUNG BY ALL) HE KEPT IT FOR THAT SOLDIER, WHO WAS FAR,
FAR AWAY. MM
DOWN AT KNOX THERE LIVES A PROUD SOLDIER.
(ECHO)
HE LIVES THERE IN THE SPRINGTIME, IN THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY.
(ECHO)
AND IF YOU ASK HIM WHY THE HELL HE LIVES THERE.
(ECHO)
HE LIVES THERE 'CAUSE THAT SHOTGUN IS SO FAR, FAR AWAY.
(ECHO) MM
(CHORUS) FAR AWAY.
(ECHO)
FAR AWAY.
(ECHO)
(SUNG BY ALL) HE LIVES THERE 'CAUSE THAT SHOTGUN IS SO FAR,
FAR AWAY.
(ECHO)

Submitter comment: THIS IS A MARCHING CADENCE THAT I HEARD OFTEN DURING BASIC
TRAINING AT FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY IN 1980. THE CADENCE
IS, OF COURSE, INITIATED BY THE DRILL SERGEANT, AND ECHOED
BY THE TROOPS. THE TRADITIONAL IDEA IS THAT A RECRUIT IS
IN THE SERVICE IN ORDER TO ESCAPE FROM TROUBLE "BACK HOME."
THUS, ONE HAS BEEN FORCED INTO THE ARMY BY A STERN JUDGE,
OR BY WOMAN TROUBLES, OR IN THIS CASE BY THE NOT-TOO-
UNDERSTANDING FATHER OF A TOO-TRUSTING DAUGHTER. AND WHILE
CADENCES DECLARING SUCH MACHISMO STILL EXIST IN THE MILITARY,
ENLIGHTENED ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN SEEM TO BE HASTENING THE
DEMISE OF SUCH SONGS.

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; FORT KNOX

Date learned: 08-00-1980