NationMaster - Encyclopedia: The Army Goes Rolling Along

The song was originally written by field artillery First Lieutenant (later Brigadier General) Edmund L. Gruber, while stationed in the Philippines in 1908 as the "Caisson Song." The original lyrics reflect routine activities in a horse-drawn field artillery battery. The song was transformed into a march by John Philip Sousa in 1917 and renamed "The Field Artillery Song." Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... In military context, caisson is a carrier of artillery ammunition. ...

It was later adapted by The Hoover Company in vacuum radio advertisements during the 1940s. [1]. The Hoover Company is an American vacuum and floor cleaner manufacturer based in North Canton, Ohio. ...

It was adopted in 1952 as the official song of the US Army after a contest by the Adjutant General and retitled, "The Army Goes Rolling Along." The current lyrics tell the story of the US Army's past, present, and future. The "Army Goes Rolling Along" is played at the conclusion of every U.S. Army ceremony and all soldiers are expected to stand and sing. The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... An adjutant general is the chief administrative officer to a military general. ...

Caisson/Artillery version

Verse: 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,

And the Caissons go rolling along.

Refrain: Then it's hi! hi! hee!

In the field artillery,

Shout out your numbers loud and strong,

For where e'er you go,

You will always know

That the Caissons go rolling along.

Verse: 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: Was it high, was it low,

Where the hell 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)

Army version

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.

Verse: 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: 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)

Army version

See also