1945 Duckworth Chant

1945 Duckworth Chant - The Original Unit

On a cold spring evening in May 1944, the divisional training center was returning from a long tedious march through swamps and rough country, a chant broke the stillness of the night. Upon investigation, it was found that a negro soldier by the name of Willie Duckworth, on detached service with the Provisional Training Center Fort Slocum, was chanting to build up the spirits of his weary comrades. It was not long before the infectious rhythm was spreading through the ranks. Foot-weary soldiers started to pack up their steps in cadence with a growing chorus of hearty male voices. Instead of a down-trodden, fatigued company, here marched 200 soldiers, with heads up, a spring to their step, and happy smiles on their faces. This transformation occurred with the beginning of the Duckworth Chant. Upon returning to Fort Slocum, Private Duckworth, with the aid of the Provisional Training Center instructors, composed a series of verses and choruses to be used with the marching cadence. Since that eventful evening, the Duckworth Chant has been made a part of the drill at Fort Slocum, as it has proved to be not only a tremendous morale factor, while marching, but also coordinated a movement of close-order drill with true precision.

Horeward: HARCH!
Hup-hoop-hip-horp
The heads are up, the chests are out
The arms are swinging; in cadence, count:

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

Eeny meeny miney moe
Let's go back and count some mo'

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

We will march to beat the band
And we'll never bite The Hand,

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

I had a good home but I left (you're right!)
I had a good home but I left (you're right!)
Jody was there when you left (you're right!)
Jody was there when you left (you're right!)

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

It won't get by if it ain't GI
It won't get by if it ain't GI

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

We will march with a broken leg
So we can get that Golden Egg

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

The Second Platoon is just like Krauts
They're all afflicted with the gout

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

The Third Platoon can't stand the [gaffe?]
Tryin' to get ol' [on? Blennett's staff?]

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

If I get shot in a combat zone
Just box me up and send me home,

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

I had a good home but I left (you're right!)
You had a good home but you left (you're right!)
Jody was there when you left (you're right!)
Jody was there when you left (you're right!)

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

I don't mind to take a hike
If I could take along a bike

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

I don't mind a bivouac
If I could take along a WAC

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

I don't mind if I get dirty
As long as the Brow gets Gravel Gertie

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

The WACs and WAVEs will win the war
So tell us what we're fighting for

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

I had a good home but I left (you're right!)
I had a good home but I left (you're right!)
Jody was there when you left (you're right!)
Jody was there when you left (you're right!)

Sound off (one, two!)
Sound off (three, four!)
Cadence count (one, two, three, four, one, two -- threefour!)

Gump'knee, HALT!