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Preserve the legacy of military cadences, connecting veterans to powerful memories through archived songs. Discover the history, inspiration, and resources for cadences while supporting veterans in need. My Mission Preserve History Military cadences (AKA call-and-response, marching songs, Jodies, Jody calls) have been an integral part of US military drill and ceremony since World War 2. These songs have been handed down, generation-to-generation for decades, with lyrics often changing from unit-to-unit. My goal is to document and preserve this history in audible and written form so that they are not lost with future generations. Click here to learn about the history of cadence and how this mission started. Inspire, Motivate Veterans Every day, I get messages, emails, and letters requesting certain cadences be recorded; some of these jodies being much older than I am. I quickly realized why: music has a powerful effect on the mind. Many veterans have not heard these songs since their service; maybe even since bootcamp. Hearing cadences again for the first time in years takes them back to "day zero." They are reminded of the motivation, passion, and drive they had for their service. Since I started, I have received countless messages describing the fire that was re-kindled, stories of immense weight loss, and a renewed appreciation for their time in service. My prayer is that many more of our troops are touched by the memories brought back to them. Go back home for links to all the cadences, or go to the shop page to find CDs. Be a Resource When I entered AIT (tech school/MOS school) I googled "Army Cadences." I was hoping to find some new (or old) material to introduce to my platoon. To my surprise, there were no recordings of many of my favorite jodies. With the exception of some rare field recordings, it was very difficult to find any, and I was left out of luck. I later met Soldiers who had the same complaint - one particular buddy was going through BLC (our Basic Leadership Course for NCOs) where he was required to be able to lead troops in marches. He expressed the need for a cadence resource - somewhere he could turn to not only read lyrics, but hear cadences that he could introduce to his unit (they were quite burned out from the handful of cadences that they called on repeat). A few years later and I'm happy to say that I get reports of my YouTube channel being used all across the Army (Drill Sergeant school, BLC, etc.) to teach our leaders great cadence. Click here to search the cadence library. House Our Homeless Veterans One of my primary objectives is to pour back into the community that built me. I work as an ambassador for homeless veterans through a major U.S. Nonprofit, with the goal of eradicating veteran homelessness in the coming decades. As a regular volunteer and financial contributor, my hope and prayer is that my platform will serve as an effective way to both raise awareness and raise funds for the work being done for our veteran community. Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

Sitting on a mountain top beating my drum I beat it so hard that the MPs come I said, “MP, MP, don’t arrest me” Arrest that grunt behind the tree He stole the whiskey, I stole the wine All I ever do is double time Beating My Drum/ My Granny | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) PVT Duckworth's WWII innovation of cadences established the military's use of 120 and 180 BPM call-and-response songs for marching and running formations. A humorous and energetic cadence celebrating toughness and resilience. It follows the stories of a determined granny and fearless airborne rangers, mixing comedy with pride. The fast-paced rhythm keeps morale high and inspires determination. Lyrics Sitting on a mountain top beating my drum I beat it so hard that the MPs come I said, “MP, MP, don’t arrest me” Arrest that grunt behind the tree He stole the whiskey, I stole the wine All I ever do is double time Airborne ranger raving mad He’s got a tab that I wish I had Black and gold, in a half-moon shape Airborne ranger, he’s gone ape Jumping through windows, kicking down walls Airborne ranger’s having a ball So if there’s trouble in the world today Call on the men in the black berets I saw an old lady running down the street Had a chute on her back, jump boots on her feet I said “hey old lady, where you going to?” She said, “U.S. Army Airborne School”. Related Products New Granny Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 When my granny was 91 She did PT just for fun When my granny was 92 She did PT better than you When my granny was 93 She did PT better than me When my granny was 94 She did some PT more and more When my granny was 95 She did PT to stay alive When my granny was 96 She kept on doing flutter kicks When my granny was 97 She up and died and went to Heaven She met saint Peter at the gate Said,” Saint Peter, saint Peter, hope I’m not late!” Saint Peter said with a big ol’ grin “Get down granny, and knock out ten.” She replied with a big ol’ smile “Sorry Saint Peter, I’m on profile” One mile No sweat Two Mile Better yet Three mile Gotta run Four miles To the sun Five miles Better yet One, two, three, four, Hey! (x2) Listen to this cadence: Song Name: Beating My Drum/My Granny Album Name: Cadences Volume 3 by Jonathan Michael Fleming DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Lyrics Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

My girl’s a vegetable She lives in a hospital And I would do anything To keep her alive My girl’s got no arms or legs Fallen Soldiers (Rock Version) | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) "Jodies," the U.S. Military’s call-and-response chants, are a powerful tradition . They not only keep troops in sync but also boost morale and embody the spirit of camaraderie essential to military life. I wrote this cadence back in 2021 when a live video of my cadence-calling went viral. This jody took the internet by storm and quickly garnered the attention of several big-name musicians in the military space like The Marine Rapper, Topher, D.Cure, MJ Hanks, and more. One individual in particular stood out to me, and was willing to put his reputation as an artist on the line to help me produce and record Fallen Soldiers, now as a radio-ready rock song. His name is Mick Blankenship, and you can even hear his vocals in the cadence ‘response.’ Fallen Soldiers ultimately made the top 10 iTunes Rock chart and received millions of views and streams. This was only made possible because of artists who believed in me and shared my song, along with the millions of American patriots who have listened and supported the song since. Lyrics Out on the battlefield covered in blood There’s an Airborne Sapper dying in the mud The enemy came closing in until the Soldier fell So with one final magazine he sent ‘em all to hell Fallen Soldiers We stand on your shoulders We carry your legacy ‘Cause no one said that freedom’s free Fallen soldiers We stand on your shoulders I’ll carry your legacy Till some day they remember me Out in a foxhole, shaking in his boots There’s a brand new private too afraid to shoot The Soldier to his left jumped on a hand grenade And the gruesome price of war he paid Related Products New Fallen Soldiers Merch Quick View Fallen Soldiers - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 Quick View "Fallen Soldiers" Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Listen to this cadence: Song Name: Fallen Soldiers (Rock Version) Single by Jonathan Michael Fleming Fallen soldiers We stand on your shoulders We carry your legacy ‘Cause no one said that freedom’s free Fallen soldiers We stand on your shoulders I’ll carry your legacy Till some day they remember me Fallen soldiers We stand on your shoulders We carry your legacy ‘Cause no one said that freedom’s free Fallen soldiers We stand on your shoulders I’ll carry your legacy Till some day they remember me DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Lyrics Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

No limit to the limit, I thought I told ya You don’t wanna go to war with a soldier OH, AH I wanna slap somebody No limit to the limit, I thought I told ya... War With a Soldier | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) The US military has been known for their tradition of singing while marching since WW2. Originating with the Army in 1944, the custom of calling cadence, or singing "jodies" has been a staple in training, PT, and drill in all branches. The style came from African work songs, introduced by PVT Willie Lee Duckworth, a black soldier from Georgia who used the call-and-response style to motivate his fellow-soldiers after long days of work. Through the years, cadences have evolved to include a shocking and sometimes offensive tone. The violent nature of some cadences has been used to mentally prepare new trainees for the realities of their work. The following cadence "War With a Soldier" boasts about the reasons why soldiers should not be tested. Lyrics No limit to the limit, I thought I told ya You don’t wanna go to war with a soldier Ooh, ah, I wanna kill somebody Ooh, ah, I wanna bury their body Motivated, dedicated, I thought I told ya You don’t wanna go to war with a soldier No limit to the limit, I thought I told ya You don’t wanna go to war with a soldier Ooh, ah, I wanna slap somebody No limit to the limit, I thought I told ya You don’t wanna go to war with a solider Ooh, ah, I wanna hurt somebody Ooh, ah, I wanna leave them bloody Related Products New Cadence Merch Quick View "When I Was 1" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Signed Copies Quick View Cadences Vol. 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bundle (CDs) - AUTOGRAPHED Regular Price $64.99 Sale Price $59.99 New Granny Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Fallen Soldiers Merch Quick View Fallen Soldiers - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 Quick View "Fallen Soldiers" Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View JMF "Dad Hat" - Camo Pattern with JMF USA Flag Patch Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “What a Way to Die" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "1776 Problems" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Patriotic Merch Quick View "1776 Problems" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “I Left My Home" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "Sound Off" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "Keep Marching" - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $29.99 Sale Price $27.49 New Merch Quick View "Stars Spangled and Enemies Mangled" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Listen to this cadence: Song Name: War With a Soldier Album Name: Cadences Volume 2 by Jonathan Michael Fleming DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Lyrics Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

They say that in the Army the chow is mighty fine A chicken jumped off the table and started marking time O Lord, I wanna go But they won’t let me go (Home, hey!) They Say That In The Army | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) The United States Military uses call-and-response songs, known as cadences or Jodies, which are led by a Drill Sergeant or Instructor and provide rhythm for marching and running while building unit cohesion. A humorous take on military life, this cadence pokes fun at the daily struggles of soldiers. From tasteless food to low pay, it captures the ups and downs of service with humor and sarcasm. Its catchy lyrics make it a staple for marching drills and morale boosts. Lyrics They say that in the Army the chow is mighty fine A chicken jumped off the table and started marking time O Lord, I wanna go But they won’t let me go (Home, hey!) They say that in the Army the biscuits are mighty fine One rolled off the table and killed a friend of mine O Lord, I wanna go But they won’t let me go (Home, hey!) Related Products New Cadence Merch Quick View "When I Was 1" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Signed Copies Quick View Cadences Vol. 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bundle (CDs) - AUTOGRAPHED Regular Price $64.99 Sale Price $59.99 New Granny Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Fallen Soldiers Merch Quick View Fallen Soldiers - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 Quick View "Fallen Soldiers" Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View JMF "Dad Hat" - Camo Pattern with JMF USA Flag Patch Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “What a Way to Die" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "1776 Problems" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Patriotic Merch Quick View "1776 Problems" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “I Left My Home" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "Sound Off" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "Keep Marching" - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $29.99 Sale Price $27.49 New Merch Quick View "Stars Spangled and Enemies Mangled" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 They say that in the Army the pay is mighty fine They give you a hundred dollars and take-back ninety nine O Lord, I wanna go But they won’t let me go (Home, hey!) They say that in the Army the women are mighty fine You ask for Betty Grable, they give you Frankenstein O lord, I wanna go But they won’t let me go (Home, hey!) They say that in the Army the coffee’s mighty fine It looks like muddy water and tastes like turpentine O Lord, I wanna go But they won’t let me go (Home, hey!) Listen to this cadence: Song Name: They Say That In The Army Album Name: Cadences Volume 3 by Jonathan Michael Fleming DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

A yellow bird, with a yellow bill Sat upon, my window sill I lured him in, with a piece of bread And then I smashed, his little head A tiny mouse, with tiny feet Sat upon, my toilet seat I pushed him in, and I flushed him down And that little mouse, went round and round I called the doc the doctor said That little bird, is freaking dead A yellow bird... Yellow Bird | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) The US military has a long-standing tradition of singing while marching, dating back to World War II. The Army introduced the custom of calling cadence or singing "jodies" in 1944, and it has since become a fundamental part of training, PT, and drill across all branches. The style of singing originated from African work songs, which were brought to the military by PVT Willie Lee Duckworth, a black soldier from Georgia who used the call-and-response style to motivate his fellow soldiers after long days of work. Over time, cadences have developed to incorporate a jarring and borderline objectionable theme. Some of these offensive and/or violent-natured jodies are an integral part of a service member's adapting to the nature of their new work. "Yellow Bird," in all its comical violence, has become a classic within military culture. There are two versions below - the recorded version (clean) and the classic version, which I chose not to record. I do not condone the lyrics... Just documenting them. Don't judge me too hard Lyrics (Clean Version) A yellow bird With a yellow bill Sat upon My window sill I lured him in With a piece of bread And then I smashed His little head A tiny mouse With tiny feet Sat upon My toilet seat I pushed him in And I flushed him down And that little mouse Went round and round I called the doc And the doctor said That little bird Is freaking dead Related Products New Cadence Merch Quick View "When I Was 1" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Signed Copies Quick View Cadences Vol. 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bundle (CDs) - AUTOGRAPHED Regular Price $64.99 Sale Price $59.99 New Granny Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Fallen Soldiers Merch Quick View Fallen Soldiers - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 Quick View "Fallen Soldiers" Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View JMF "Dad Hat" - Camo Pattern with JMF USA Flag Patch Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “What a Way to Die" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "1776 Problems" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Patriotic Merch Quick View "1776 Problems" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “I Left My Home" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "Sound Off" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "Keep Marching" - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $29.99 Sale Price $27.49 New Merch Quick View "Stars Spangled and Enemies Mangled" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Listen to this cadence: Song Name: Yellow Bird Album Name: Cadences Volume 2 by Jonathan Michael Fleming (Traditional Version) A yellow bird With a yellow bill Sat upon My window sill I lured him in With a piece of bread And then I smashed His f***ing head A tiny mouse With tiny feet Sat upon My toilet seat I pushed him in And I flushed him down And that little mouse Went round and round I called the doc And the doctor said That little bird Is freaking dead The moral of The story is If you want some head You need some bread DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Lyrics Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

He was just a rookie trooper and he surely shook with fright He packed up his equipment and made sure his pack was tight He had to sit and listen to those awful engines roar And he ain’t gonna jump no more Blood Upon The Risers | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) Since WWII, the U.S. Military has used cadences - Drill Sergeant-led call-and-response songs that coordinate troops' movements at 120 BPM for marching and 180 BPM for running. A darkly humorous ballad that recounts a paratrooper’s tragic jump gone wrong. With vivid imagery and dramatic verses, it highlights the dangers of airborne training. Its blend of humor and tragedy makes it a memorable and cautionary tale. Lyrics He was just a rookie trooper and he surely shook with fright He packed up his equipment and made sure his pack was tight He had to sit and listen to those awful engines roar And he ain’t gonna jump no more (Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! He ain’t gonna jump no more!) “Is everybody happy?” cried the Sergeant looking up Our hero answered bravely, “yes!” and then they stood him up He leaped right out into the blast, his static line unhooked He ain’t gonna jump no more (Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! He ain’t gonna jump no more!) He counted long, he counted loud, he waited for the shock He felt the wind, he felt that clouds, he felt the awful drop He jerked his cord, the silk spilt out and wrapped around his legs And he ain’t gonna jump no more (Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! He ain’t gonna jump no more!) The risers wrapped around his neck, connectors cracked his dome The lines were snarled and tied in knots around his skinny bones The canopy became his shroud, he hurtled to the ground He ain’t gonna jump no more (Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! He ain’t gonna jump no more!) Related Products New Cadence Merch Quick View “What a Way to Die" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "Fallen Soldiers" Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Listen to this cadence: Song Name: Blood Upon The Risers Album Name: Cadences Volume 3 by Jonathan Michael Fleming The days he’d lived and loved and laughed kept running though his mind He thought about the girl back home, the one he’d left behind He thought about the medics and wondered what they’d find He ain’t gonna jump no more (Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! He ain’t gonna jump no more!) The ambulance was on the spot, the jeeps were running wild The medics jumped and screamed with glee, they rolled their sleeves and smiled For it had been a week or more since last a chute had failed He ain’t gonna jump no more (Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! He ain’t gonna jump no more!) He hit the ground, the sound was splat, his blood went spurting high His comrades were then heard to say, “a hell of a way to die!” He lay there rolling ‘round in the welter of his gore He ain’t gonna jump no more (Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! He ain’t gonna jump no more!) There was blood upon the risers, there were brains upon the chute Intestines were a-danglin’ from his paratrooper’s suit They picked him up, still in the suit, and poured him from his boots And he ain’t gonna jump no more (Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die! He ain’t gonna jump no more!) DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Lyrics Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

Hi, Ho, Lock and Load The engines are running, we’re ready to roll Kill the enemy, take control So early, so early, so early in the morning Abrams on the hill Take commander’s ready to kill Give the order, “Fire at will” So early, so early, so early in the morning Sniper on the ground Moving by without a sound Locks and loads a single round So early, so... Hi Ho Lock and Load | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) Marching in cadence with call-and-response "Jody calls" is a long-standing tradition in the US Military. The custom began in WW2 when PVT Willie Duckworth brought the African "work song" style to his brothers in the Army. Cadences or "jodies" are still used across all branches of the US military to keep troops marching in perfect unison, or "in step." It's no secret that the soulful voice of an NCO calling a Jodie is all that keeps you going on brutal rucks or runs. Within the military, each branch, and even each MOS (military occupational specialty) have their own specialized cadences, and arguably, the best of them stem from the good old infantry. These grunts are a bunch of singing psychopaths. "Hi Ho Lock and Load" is one of the more tame cadences you'll hear out of these guys... Lyrics Lyrics Hi, Ho, Lock and Load The engines are running, we’re ready to roll Kill the enemy, take control So early, so early, so early in the morning Abrams on the hill Take commander’s ready to kill Give the order, “Fire at will” So early, so early, so early in the morning Related Products New Cadence Merch Quick View “I Left My Home" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Signed Copies Quick View Cadences Vol. 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bundle (CDs) - AUTOGRAPHED Regular Price $64.99 Sale Price $59.99 Sniper on the ground Moving by without a sound Locks and loads a single round So early, so early, so early in the morning Apache’s in the sky F-16s go zooming by The enemy is about to die So early, so early, so early in the morning Listen to this cadence: Song Name: Hi Ho Lock and Load Album Name: Cadences Volume 1 by Jonathan Michael Fleming DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

In the early morning rain In the early morning rain In the early morning rain In the early morning rain In the Early Morning Rain| Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) The U.S. Military uses chants called "Jodies" to keep soldiers in rhythm, boost their morale, and build teamwork during marches and runs. These chants are a key part of military tradition . In the early morning rain is a cadence set on the beaches of Normandy on D Day. The cadence narrates the experiences of a service member leaving for duty, reflecting on the emotional farewells with family, the challenges he faces on the beach front, and the sacrifices made, sending a message to his loved ones. Lyrics Related Products New Cadence Merch Quick View "When I Was 1" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Signed Copies Quick View Cadences Vol. 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bundle (CDs) - AUTOGRAPHED Regular Price $64.99 Sale Price $59.99 New Granny Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Fallen Soldiers Merch Quick View Fallen Soldiers - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 Quick View "Fallen Soldiers" Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View JMF "Dad Hat" - Camo Pattern with JMF USA Flag Patch Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “What a Way to Die" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "1776 Problems" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Patriotic Merch Quick View "1776 Problems" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “I Left My Home" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "Sound Off" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "Keep Marching" - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $29.99 Sale Price $27.49 New Merch Quick View "Stars Spangled and Enemies Mangled" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 In the early morning rain In the early morning rain In the early morning rain In the early morning rain Kissed my wife and said goodbye Told my children not to cry Kissed my wife and said goodbye In the early morning rain With a weapon in my hand And a pocket full of sand With a weapon in my hand And a pocket full of sand Got the enemy to my front And the ocean to my rear Wounded dying’s all I hear In the early morning rain Listen to this cadence: Song Name: In the Early Morning Rain Album Name: Cadences Volume 4 by Jonathan Michael Fleming As I lay here to rest Caught a bullet in my chest Even though I’ve done my best In the early morning rain Tell my daughter not to cry ‘Cause I’ll never say goodbye Tell my daughter not to cry In the early morning rain Many soldiers die today Guess there’s nothing left to say So our children, they can play In the early morning rain In the early morning rain In the early morning rain In the early morning rain In the early morning rain DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Lyrics Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

I saw the Taliban dressed in black That’s my e-tool in his back I was the one he did not see U.S. Army Infantry Woah-ooo-oh, Woah Woah-ooo-oh, Woah-oh, yeah I Saw the Taliban | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) The US Military has a rich tradition of call-and-response songs during marching, rucking, and running, a familiar sound for many. This practice began with Private Willie Lee Duckworth in 1944, leading to the creation of "Jodies," "Jody calls," or "cadences," which are now deeply rooted in military culture. While some of these cadences have a controversial tone, often referencing violence and borderline war crimes, they serve to toughen the minds of young soldiers who have yet to face the realities of combat. This cadence, "I Saw the Taliban," adapts with each new generation of troops. What began as "I saw the Taliban" has transformed into "I saw ISIS," and will keep evolving based on the current enemy. The cadence is popular for its shocking nature, as it describes all of the creative ways Soldiers picture themselves ending the Taliban fighter. The first time I heard it, I thought I was ready for war. Lyrics I saw the Taliban dressed in brown It’s me who shot him to the ground I was the one he did not hear U.S. Army Engineer Woah-ooo-oh, Woah Woah-ooo-oh, Woah-oh, yeah I saw the Taliban dressed in white Now he’s got me in his sight He was the one I did not see U.S. Army infantry Woah-ooo-oh, Woah Woah-ooo-oh, Woah-oh, yeah I saw the Taliban dressed in black That’s my e-tool in his back I was the one he did not see U.S. Army Infantry Woah-ooo-oh, Woah Woah-ooo-oh, Woah-oh, yeah I saw the Taliban dressed in red That’s my bullet in his head I was the one he did not hear U.S. Army Engineer Woah-ooo-oh, Woah Woah-ooo-oh, Woah-oh, yeah Related Products New Cadence Merch Quick View "When I Was 1" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Signed Copies Quick View Cadences Vol. 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bundle (CDs) - AUTOGRAPHED Regular Price $64.99 Sale Price $59.99 New Granny Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Fallen Soldiers Merch Quick View Fallen Soldiers - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 Quick View "Fallen Soldiers" Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View JMF "Dad Hat" - Camo Pattern with JMF USA Flag Patch Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “What a Way to Die" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "1776 Problems" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Patriotic Merch Quick View "1776 Problems" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “I Left My Home" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "Sound Off" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "Keep Marching" - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $29.99 Sale Price $27.49 New Merch Quick View "Stars Spangled and Enemies Mangled" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Listen to this cadence: Song Name: I Saw the Taliban Album Name: Cadences Volume 2 by Jonathan Michael Fleming DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Lyrics Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

O’hail, O’, O’hail, O’, O’hail, O’hail, O’infantry Queen of battle follow me Where nothing in this world is free Should have joined the infantry Early at night... Hail O' Infantry | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) The United States Military has a longstanding tradition of marching to call-and-response songs, known as cadences or Jodies, which are led by a troop leader, Drill Sergeant, or Instructor. This practice, initiated by PVT Willie Lee Duckworth during World War II, is vital in boot camps, leadership schools, and physical training. Since 1944, cadences have been utilized with tempos of 120 BPM for marching and 180 BPM for running, providing a steady rhythm that fosters unit cohesion and boosts morale. Additionally, they help troops synchronize their movements and manage their breathing effectively. Cadences have evolved to adopt a striking and provocative tone, preparing new recruits for challenges in their duties and combat. "Hail O' Infantry" highlights the grunts who win wars. And let's face it: The Infantry just has the best cadences. Lyrics Oh Hail o’, hail o’ Infantry Queen of battle follow me Where nothing in this world is free Should have joined the infantry Early at night in drizzling rain I am hit but feel no pain For in my heart I have no fear For I know my God is here Oh Hail o’ (Hey!), oh hail o’ (Hey!), oh hail, oh hail o’ Infantry (Oh Hail o’, oh hail o’, oh hail, oh hail o’ Infantry!) Queen of battle follow me Where nothing in this world is free Should have joined the infantry Hail O’ Infantry Up in the morning, out of the rack Greeted by a mortar attack First Sergeant rushes me off to chow But I don’t eat it anyhow Oh Hail o’, hail o’ Infantry Queen of battle follow me Where nothing in this world is free Should have joined the infantry C-130s in the sky All will jump, but some will die Off to battle we will go Live or die, well I don’t know Related Products New Cadence Merch Quick View "When I Was 1" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Signed Copies Quick View Cadences Vol. 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bundle (CDs) - AUTOGRAPHED Regular Price $64.99 Sale Price $59.99 New Granny Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Fallen Soldiers Merch Quick View Fallen Soldiers - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 Quick View "Fallen Soldiers" Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View JMF "Dad Hat" - Camo Pattern with JMF USA Flag Patch Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “What a Way to Die" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "1776 Problems" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Patriotic Merch Quick View "1776 Problems" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “I Left My Home" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "Sound Off" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "Keep Marching" - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $29.99 Sale Price $27.49 New Merch Quick View "Stars Spangled and Enemies Mangled" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Listen to this cadence: Song Name: Hail O' Infantry Album Name: Cadences Volume 2 by Jonathan Michael Fleming DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Lyrics Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library

Just the other day I heard a Drill Sergeant say You wanna be a Soldier, you gotta do it my way My way or the highway My way or the doggone highway My way’s the... My Way or the Highway | Military Cadence (Lyrics & History) (Skip to lyrics) The U.S. Military has a long-standing tradition of marching to call-and-response songs led by a troop, Drill Instructor/Sergeant, or other leader. Originating with PVT Willie Lee Duckworth during WW2, the tradition of calling "cadences," or Jodies has become a staple in military bootcamps, schools, and PT. With a tempo of 120 BPM or 180 BPM on runs, cadences offer a steady, predictable pace. This pace not only helps to reinforce unit cohesion and morale, but also has the very practical applications of keeping troops "in-step" with one another and keeping their breathing regulated and steady. Over the years, cadences have adapted to adopt a startling and occasionally controversial tone. The aggressive nature of certain cadences has been utilized to mentally equip new trainees for the harsh realities of their roles. Other cadences, however tend to focus on the humorous portions of military-life. This Jody, "My Way or the Highway" tells the story of a very motivated recruit being reminded of his rank. Lyrics Just the other day I heard a Drill Sergeant say You wanna be a Soldier, you gotta do it my way My way or the highway My way or the doggone highway My way’s the right way, Your way’s the wrong way Just the other day I heard a First Sergeant say You wanna get this diamond, you gotta do it my way Related Products New Cadence Merch Quick View "When I Was 1" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Signed Copies Quick View Cadences Vol. 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bundle (CDs) - AUTOGRAPHED Regular Price $64.99 Sale Price $59.99 New Granny Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "When My Granny Was 91" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Fallen Soldiers Merch Quick View Fallen Soldiers - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 Quick View "Fallen Soldiers" Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View JMF "Dad Hat" - Camo Pattern with JMF USA Flag Patch Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “What a Way to Die" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Gun/Bear Merch Quick View Right to "Bear" Arms - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "1776 Problems" - JMF Hooded Sweatshirt Regular Price $59.99 Sale Price $54.99 New Patriotic Merch Quick View "1776 Problems" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View “I Left My Home" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 New Cadence Merch Quick View "Sound Off" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 Quick View "Keep Marching" - Blended T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $29.99 Sale Price $27.49 New Merch Quick View "Stars Spangled and Enemies Mangled" - Soft Blend Cotton T-Shirt - JMF Regular Price $34.99 Sale Price $29.99 My way or the highway My way or the doggone highway My way’s the right way, your way’s the wrong way Just the other day Just the other day Just the other day I heard a drill Sergeant say Listen to this cadence: Song Name: My Way or the Highway Album Name: Cadences Volume 2 by Jonathan Michael Fleming DISCLAIMERS: The lyrics and music to the above cadence are not original to me. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain, as the author is unknown and has simply been handed down generation-to-generation within the US military. The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein. Lyrics Find lyrics to your favorite cadences: Scroll through dozens of jodies and search your favorites for lyrics, CDs, Spotify, Youtube, Apple links, and more! Cadence Library