They Say that In the Army
One of the most well-known and longest military cadences. Each verse humorously complains about a different aspect of army life, from food to pay to shoes.
- Video
- Lyrics
They say that in the Army, the chicken’s mighty fine
One jumped off the table and started marking timeOh, no I wanna go
But they won’t let me go
homeThey say that in the Army, the pay is mighty fine
They give you a hundred dollars and take back ninety-nineThey say that in the Army, the coffee’s mighty fine
It looks like muddy water, and tastes like turpentineThey say that in the Army, the biscuits are mighty fine
One rolled off the table and killed a friend of mineThey say that in the Army, the meat is mighty fine
Last night we had ten puppies, this morning only nineThey say that in the Army, the shoes are mighty fine
You ask for size eleven, they give you size nineThey say that in the Army, the pancakes are mighty fine
You can try to chew them, but you’re only wasting timeThey say that in the Army, the bed’s are mighty fine
But how would I know, I’ve never slept in mineThey say that in the Army, the mail is so great
Today I got a letter dated 1948They say that in the Army, the hours are just right
Start early in the morning and work on through the nightThey say that in the Army, the buses are mighty fine
One went round the corner, and left three wheels behindThey say that in the Army, the coffee’s mighty fine
It’s good for cuts and bruises and tastes like iodineThey say that in the Army, the chicken’s mighty fine
One jumped off the table and killed a friend of mineThey say that in the army, the toilets are mighty fine
You flush them up at seven, they come back up at nine.They say that in the army, the tents are waterproof
You wake up in the morning and you’re floating on the roof.
This song has dozens of possible verses. Units often create their own custom verses to match their specific experiences. The ones listed here are the most common.