Lyr Req: Re-Enlistment Blues

Subject: Lyr Req: re-enlistment blues
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 03:35 PM

Looking for the lyrics to a song called Re-enlistment Blues that was featured in the movie From Here to Eternity. Thanks in advance, Neil (Your friendly neighborhood Irish Sergeant)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: re-enlistment blues
From: Mark Clark
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 03:50 PM

The legendary Merle Travis performed that Robert Wells tune in the film. I'll look around and see if I can come up with anything.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: re-enlistment blues
From: Joe_F
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 06:24 PM

It's in the book.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: re-enlistment blues
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 02:07 PM

Michael Parks did a version of this way back, on my vinyl collection. Mostly a recitation, as I recall.

Lin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: re-enlistment blues
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 04:50 PM

Thanks all! I'll have to see if I can find the book anyway but. Hey, it's a great little ditty. Neil

Subject: Lyr Add: THE RE-ENLISTMENT BLUES
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 05:50 PM

reenlist

---

THE RE-ENLISTMENT BLUES
(from From Here to Eternity)

Got paid out on Monday
Not a dog soldier no more
They gimme all that money
So much my pockets is sore
More dough than I can use. Re-enlistment Blues.

Took my ghelt to town on Tuesday
Got a room and a big double bed
Find a job tomorrow
Tonight you may be dead
Ain't no time to lose. Re-enlistment Blues.

Hit the bars on Wednesday
My friends put me up on a throne
Found a hapa-Chinee baby
Swore she never would leave me alone
Did I give her a bruise? Re-enlistment Blues!

Woke up sick on Thursday
Feelin' like my head took a dare
Looked down at my trousers
All my pockets was bare
That gal had blown my fuse. Re-enlistment Blues.

Went back around on Friday
Asked for a free glass of beer
My friends had disappeared
Barman say, "Take off, you queer!"
What I done then ain't news. Re-enlistment Blues.

That jail was cold all Sa'day
Standin' up on a bench lookin' down
Through them bars I watched the people
All happy and out on the town
Looked like time for me to choose, them Re-enlistment Blues.

Slept in the park that Sunday
Seen all the folks goin' to church
Your belly feels so empty
When you're left in the lurch
Dog soldiers don't own pews. Re-enlistment Blues.

So I re-upped on Monday
A little sad and sick at my heart
All my fine plans was with my money
In the poke of a scheming tart
Guy always seems to lose. Re-enlistment Blues.

So you short-timers, let me tell you
Don't get yourself throwed in the can
You might as well be dead
Or a Thirty-Year-Man
Recruitin' crews give me the blues, old Re-enlistment Blues.

---

Lyrics copy-pasted from the link cited above.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: re-enlistment blues
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 06:22 PM

James Jones wrote the lyrics in the book. Found chords by Merle Travis here: Re-enlist

Surprise, Surprise! The lyrics are not the same as those written in the book by Jones.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: re-enlistment blues
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 03:23 PM

Q:
I got both sets of lyrics and chords! Thanks much. Have a great weekend and hopefully with in the next few weeks I'll not only know the tune on the guitar but will have parody lyrics as well for my re-enactor friends as well. Neil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: re-enlistment blues
From: Mr Happy
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 10:21 AM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj4wzDQEdoo