Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition

Last updated
"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition"
Song
Published1942
Genre American patriotic song
Songwriter(s) Frank Loesser

"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" is an American patriotic song by Frank Loesser, [1] published as sheet music in 1942 by Famous Music Corp. The song was a response to the attack on Pearl Harbor that marked United States involvement in World War II.

Contents

The song describes a chaplain ("sky pilot") who is asked by a group of soldiers under attack by enemy planes to say a prayer for them. The chaplain puts down his Bible, mans one of the ship's gun turrets and begins firing back, saying, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition".[ citation needed ]

Origin

According to writer Jack S. McDowell, the famous phrase is generally credited to "a chaplain," said to be manning the guns of a ship under attack. "This was not true," says McDowell. For some time, long after Pearl Harbor, stories and reports surfaced about an incident involving this apocryphal "sky pilot", who was said to have uttered the words "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition".[ citation needed ]

The stories eventually made their way through the servicemen and back to the press. This, as McDowell noted, led some writers to erroneously identify other chaplains as author of the phrase. Nonetheless, the real chaplain, LTJG Howell M. Forgy, was aboard the USS New Orleans during the Japanese attack.[ citation needed ]

Lieutenant Edwin F. Woodhead, who was the officer in charge of an ammunition line on the USS New Orleans later recounted that during the attack, "I heard a voice behind me saying, 'Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.' I turned and saw Chaplain Forgy walking toward me, along the line of men. He was patting them on the back and making that remark to cheer and keep them going. I know it helped me a lot, too."[ citation needed ]

Another lieutenant said that thereafter, when the men heard the song, they would kid Chaplain Forgy about the role he played, encouraging him to set the record straight about who actually said what. According to the same officer the chaplain would decline, modestly claiming he felt, "... the episode should remain a legend, rather than be associated with any particular person." Author McDowell noted that reporters eventually were permitted to interview the men of the USS New Orleans involved in the "ammunition" story. Chaplain Forgy's superior officers set up a meeting with members of the press and at last, the real story of the song and the man who had inspired it was confirmed.[ citation needed ]

Forgy appeared on the game show I've Got a Secret in an episode that originally aired May 18, 1955, and recalled the story as follows:[ citation needed ]

Well, I was stationed aboard the USS New Orleans, and we were tied up at 1010 dock in Pearl Harbor when we were attacked again. We were having a turbine lifted, and all of our electrical power wasn't on, and so when we went to lift the ammunition by the hoist, we had to form lines of men — form a bucket brigade — and we began to carry the ammunition up through the quarterdeck into the gurneys, and I stood there and directed some of the boys down the port side and some down the starboard side, and as they were getting a little tired, I just happened to say, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition." That's all there was to it.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article of January 1, 1943, the origin of the quote may well have been John Ford's 1939 film Drums Along the Mohawk .[ citation needed ]

Popularization

The song became extremely popular despite Loesser's belief that "Americans did not want a true war song." The song made Variety's best seller list for three months and sold over 450,000 copies in only two months. [2]

According to his obituary in The New York Times of August 8, 1974, the singer who introduced the song to a popular audience was Robert Rounseville.[ citation needed ]

Based on the title of the song and the events that inspired it, American Brandywine artist Walter De Maris (1877–1947) produced a painting of a Pilgrim who has just been shot at with an arrow reaching for his musket. [3]

In 1942, a recording by The Merry Macs reached number 8 on the Billboard chart, [4] and a version by The Jubalaires reached #10 on the R&B chart on November 14 of the same year. [5] The 1942 [6] version by Kay Kyser and His Orchestra reached number 1. [7] A portion of the tune is sung while in the Superman cartoon "Jungle Drums" Hitler bows his head from news that Allied forces cut off a major assault of German U-boats. Loesser donated his royalties for sale of the song to the Navy Relief Society.[ citation needed ]

In later years, the expression has often been used in a satirical manner. In the Larry Peerce movie The Incident , a character reminiscing about his army days quotes the phrase to his fiancée Ruby Dee (a black woman involved in the non-violent civil rights movement) to advocate the more militant attitude he claims would be a better way to assert the rights of African-Americans. The quote has also been referenced in Loudon Wainwright III's song "Ready or Not (So Ripe)" on his 1985 album I'm Alright and in the Chicks' song "Sin Wagon" on their 1999 album Fly.

In the single "Heartland", from the 1986 album, "Infected", singer/songwriter Matt Johnson has admitted that his lyric: "The ammunition's been passed and the Lord's been praised." is directly derived from American original. [8]

Kay Kyser's version of the song has made an appearance in multiple video games: the 2010 BioShock 2 published by 2K Games in the official launch trailer [9] and in-game in a makeshift chapel, the 2010 Mafia II [10] published by 2K Games on the in-game Empire Central Radio, and the 2018 Fallout 76 published by Bethesda Softworks on the in-game Appalachia Radio.

In the 2005 film Man of the House , Texas Ranger Roland Sharp, called on to deliver an inspirational speech at the Hex Rally before the Texas A&M game, concludes his extemporaneous talk with the words, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!", to the cheers of the crowd. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attack on Pearl Harbor</span> 1941 Japanese surprise attack on the US

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, the United States, just before 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, 1941. At the time, the United States was a neutral country in World War II. The attack on Hawaii and other U.S. territories led the United States to formally enter World War II on the side of the Allies the day following the attack, on December 8, 1941. The Japanese military leadership referred to the attack as the Hawaii Operation and Operation AI, and as Operation Z during its planning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Loesser</span> American songwriter (1910–1969)

Frank Henry Loesser was an American songwriter who wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musicals Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, among others. He won a Tony Award for Guys and Dolls and shared the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for How to Succeed. He also wrote songs for over 60 Hollywood films and Tin Pan Alley, many of which have become standards, and was nominated for five Academy Awards for best song, winning once for "Baby, It's Cold Outside".

USS <i>Enterprise</i> (CV-6) Yorktown-class aircraft carrier of the US Navy

USS Enterprise (CV-6) was a Yorktown-class carrier built for the United States Navy during the 1930s. She was the seventh U.S. Navy vessel of that name. Colloquially called "The Big E", she was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. Launched in 1936, she was the only Yorktown-class and one of only three American fleet carriers commissioned before World War II to survive the war.

USS <i>New Orleans</i> (CA-32) New Orleans class heavy cruiser (1933–1959)

USS New Orleans (CL/CA-32) was the lead New Orleans-class cruiser in service with the United States Navy. The New Orleans-class cruisers were the last U.S. cruisers built to the specifications and standards of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. Such ships, with a limit of 10,000 long tons (10,160 t) standard displacement and 8-inch (203-millimetre) calibre main guns may be referred to as "treaty cruisers." Originally classified a light cruiser, because of her thin armor, she was reclassified, soon after being laid down, a heavy cruiser, because of her 8-inch guns. The term "heavy cruiser" was not defined until the London Naval Treaty in 1930.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Bartholomew</span> American musician, producer, and composer (1918–2019)

David Louis Bartholomew was an American musician, bandleader, composer, arranger, and record producer. He was prominent in the music of New Orleans throughout the second half of the 20th century. Originally a trumpeter, he was active in many musical genres, including rhythm and blues, big band, swing music, rock and roll, New Orleans jazz, and Dixieland. In his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he was cited as a key figure in the transition from jump blues and swing to R&B and as "one of the Crescent City's greatest musicians and a true pioneer in the rock and roll revolution".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harold Raynsford Stark</span> American admiral, 8th US Chief of Naval Operations (1880–1972)

Harold Raynsford Stark was an officer in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II, who served as the 8th Chief of Naval Operations from August 1, 1939, to March 26, 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aloysius Schmitt</span> American Roman Catholic World War II chaplain

Father Aloysius H. Schmitt was a Roman Catholic priest at the Archdiocese of Dubuque, who served as a chaplain in the United States Navy at the beginning of World War II.

USS <i>OBannon</i> (DD-450) Fletcher-class destroyer

USS O'Bannon (DD/DDE-450), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon (1784–1850), the Marine Corps's "hero of Derna".

USS <i>Preble</i> (DD-345) Clemson-class destroyer

The fourth USS Preble (DD-345/DM-20/AG-99) was a United States Navy Clemson-class destroyerin commission from 1920 to 1945. She served in China, including on the Yangtze Patrol, and later saw combat in World War II as a minelayer. She was named for Commodore Edward Preble.

USS <i>Neosho</i> (AO-23) Oiler of the United States Navy

USS Neosho (AO-23) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler serving with the United States Navy, the second ship to be named for the Neosho River in Kansas and Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herbert C. Jones</span> US Navy Medal of Honor recipient (1918–1941)

Herbert Charpiot Jones was an officer in the United States Navy who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson C. Pharris</span> US Navy Medal of Honor recipient (1912–1966)

Jackson Charles Pharris was an officer in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

"I Don't Want to Walk Without You" is a popular song.

"Two Sleepy People" is a song written on September 10, 1938 by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Frank Loesser.

"(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover" is a popular World War II song composed in 1941 by Walter Kent to lyrics by Nat Burton. Made famous in the United Kingdom by Vera Lynn's 1942 version, it was one of Lynn's best-known recordings and among the most popular World War II tunes.

USS <i>Seminole</i> (AT-65) Tugboat of the United States Navy

USS Seminole (AT-65), the third ship named Seminole of the United States Navy, was a Navajo-class fleet tug whose task was to travel with the fleet and provide towing services as required.

Joseph J. Lilley was an American composer, songwriter and orchestrator. He worked for Paramount Studios from 1943 and was involved in many of the studio's successful musicals. Lilley was nominated at the 32nd Academy Awards for Li'l Abner in Best Musical Score.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betty Tackaberry Blake</span>

Betty Tackaberry "Tack" Blake was the last surviving member of the first training class of the Women Airforce Service Pilots paramilitary aviation service. The WASPS flew aircraft ferrying/delivery missions, towed aerial targets, and some even participated in flight testing and evaluation of advanced jet and rocket-powered aircraft. In performing these missions, the woman effectively replaced male pilots, who could be utilized in combat roles.

YFD-2 United States Navy drydock

YFD-2 was an auxiliary floating drydock built for the United States Navy in 1901. The first parts were laid down in early 1901 at Maryland Steel Co. of Sparrows Point, Maryland. YFD-2 was the first of its kind, steel movable auxiliary floating drydock, used to raise large ships out the water for repair below the ship's waterline. YFD-2 had a 18,000 tons lifting capacity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Base Hawaii</span> World War II Bases in Territory of Hawaii

Naval Base Hawaii was a number of United States Navy bases in the Territory of Hawaii during World War II. At the start of the war, much of the Hawaiian Islands was converted from tourism to a United States Armed Forces base. With the loss of US Naval Base Philippines in Philippines campaign of 1941 and 1942, Hawaii became the US Navy's main base for the early part of the island-hopping Pacific War against Empire of Japan. Naval Station Pearl Harbor was founded in 1899 with the annexation of Hawaii.

References

  1. ↑ Frank Loesser; George N. Terry (1942). Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!! (Musical Score). Famous Music Corp. OCLC   18945388.
  2. ↑ Smith, Kathleen A. R. (2003). God Bless America: Tin Pan Alley Goes to War. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 121–122. ISBN   0-8131-2256-2. OCLC   900344548.
  3. ↑ Walter De Maris Gallery" - American Art Archives. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  4. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p.  308. ISBN   0-89820-083-0.
  5. ↑ Warner, Jay (2006). On this day in black music history. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard. p.  320. ISBN   0-634-09926-4. OCLC   62330882.
  6. ↑ Orodenker, M. H. (19 September 1942). "On the Records". The Billboard. Vol. 54, no. 37. p. 65. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  7. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p.  263. ISBN   0-89820-083-0.
  8. ↑ "The The - Rock Arena interview with Matt Johnson on the 'Infected' album, 1st December 1986". YouTube .
  9. ↑ "2010 BioShock 2 Launch Trailer". Official 2K UK Youtube account. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  10. ↑ "Mafia II Music Credits". 2K Games. Retrieved 2018-11-29. (Originally http://www.mafia2game.com/musiccredits; Archived with Google Cache)
  11. ↑ Herek, Stephen (director). Man of the House , Columbia Pictures, 2005

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.