Lyr Req: Were You with the Marines (Hermes Nye)

Subject: Lyr Req: WERE YOU WITH THE MARINES
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 02:19 AM

Lyrics and introductory note copied from the liner notes to the album "Soldier Songs" which can be downloaded as a PDF file from the Smithsonian Folkways web site:


WERE YOU WITH THE MARINES

World War II and Korea. PFC Paul Kelso, Camp Wolters, Mineral Wells, Texas. When a song gets to be pretty well known in one war, it goes on to the next one, as this one did with the "re-tread" soldiers of 1941 and 1954. PFC Kelso says this one came from his uncle. He didn't say which uncle, and that his uncle "heard some of the guys singing it." He didn't say where or when. You can see this incident, or one like it, in the great film "Battlecry." By the way, there wasn't any sea-wall at Guadalcanal; that was on Tulagi, or was it Tarawa?

Were you with the Marines on Guadalcanal, hiding in the sand,
Crouching behind the seawall thinkin' 'bout the Promised Land,

Dreaming about our homes and wives: would we see them any more?
Fanatic white and yellow men fighting for what they adore.

Trapped down in a machine-gun nest, surrounded on all sides,
Al Schmidt and the Captain, fighting for their lives.

Bodies stacked up nineteen deep, like shells in a bomb-bay,
Many a white and yellow man lost his life that day.

They fought on through the cruel dark night and into the next day,
When Dugout Doug called to them from away across the bay.

The Captain says, "I'm paralyzed, and Al Schmidt he is blind,
But I tell him where to fire the gun as though we had one mind."

Dugout Doug lifted them up, says, "You'll get a medal this night."
"Yes," said Al Schmidt, "but will the Corps give back my sight?"

"Yes," said the Captain, "will I ever move again?"
And Dugout Doug turned to hide his tears from the men.

Subject: RE: Lyric for Nye War Ballad???
From: Oslek
Date: 09 May 04 - 06:54 AM

Thanks, Q.
I ordered the CD from the Smithsonian.

Subject: RE: Lyric for Nye War Ballad???
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 May 04 - 09:56 PM

This site: Mustang Grey
says the 1977 title at Smithsonian Folkways is "Soldier Songs" and that theu will burn a custom cd for $19.95. I tried it on the website I gave above (click) and yes, it is listed as 05249, Soldier Songs.

Subject: RE: Lyric for Nye War Ballad???
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 May 04 - 09:24 PM

Tried the Smithsonian website, but I either am Folkways challenged or they don't have it in their catalogue.

Someone here may have Nye's recordings.

Subject: RE: Lyric for Nye War Ballad???
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 May 04 - 09:10 PM

The song was re(?)issued in 1977 on Folkways F 5249, Hermes Nye, "War Ballads, USA."

I am guessing that it originally appeared in a Folkways album, 195?, "War Songs USA," but the website has no details.
Hermes Nye Discography

I believe that these recordings are available from the Smithsonian on custom cds or tapes, for a reasonable price. Go to their website: Smithsonian Folkways

Subject: RE: Lyric for Nye War Ballad???
From: Deckman
Date: 08 May 04 - 09:01 PM

I remember the song, but I'll leave to others better than I to locate it for you. Bob

Subject: Lyric for Nye War Ballad???
From: Oslek
Date: 08 May 04 - 07:48 PM

Almost fifty years ago I was something of a protege of Hermes Nye in Dallas. I contributed a song he recorded on his War Ballads USA album.

I am hoping that someone can point me to the lyrics for "Were You With The Marines."

I misplaced my copy of the MS and the recording decades ago, and as I now live in Japan, am at a loss as to how to recover them.

Thanks -