Today is the 73rd Anniversary of the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor, and it may not seem so special. But in a way it is. The
attack took place on a Sunday morning; just like today; making it especially
poignant when the occasion does fall on a Sunday every 7 years or so.
This song is probably my first real remembrance of Pearl
Harbor as recent history. I’ve often said that being brought up in Brooklyn was
like being brought up in the shadow of World War Two. So many of the records in
our house were 78 RPM’s like the Andrew Sisters doing “Don’t Sit under the
Apple Tree” and others just like it; all about sacrifice and faith. This record
was a bit different and really appealed to me at the age of 5.
The story I first heard about this song; which is disputed;
is a colorful one and involves Doris “Dorie” Miller, the first American to fire
a shot at the Japanese in World War Two. He was an African-American steward
aboard the USS West Virginia when he saw the gunner knocked out of action and
took his place. It was; and still is; a thrilling story. It really fired my
imagination and burned the lyrics into my mind forever.
Now that story may, or may not be true as it relates to Mr.
Miller’s participation in the birth of this song; but that is of little matter.
The real story of what he did was a giant leap forward for African-American sailors
of the era, who were relegated to Mess duties and Laundries. He set a new
example and was awarded the Navy Cross for his action manning a .50 caliber gun
for about 15 minutes; untrained; until ordered to abandon ship. It is actually
believed that he hit one of the planes; making it the first Japanese casualty
of World War Two. That’s quite a story. And it’s true.
The other, more accredited version is of Chaplain Forgy aboard
the USS New Orleans. He is actually credited; by witnesses; as being the guy who said, “Praise the Lord
and pass the ammunition.” Either story may be the truth; and the above version of
the song by the Merry Macs may be the original; but here is the song as I first
remember hearing it; the later Kay Keyser version. The illustration at the
beginning is actually the cover of the sheet music which my mother had, along
with the recording.
And here are the lyrics by Frank Loesser;
Praise the Lord
and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord
and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord
and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay
free
Praise the Lord
and swing into position
Can't afford to be
a politician
Praise the Lord,
we're all between perdition
And the deep blue
sea
Yes, the sky pilot
said it, you gotta give him credit
For a son of a gun
of a gunner was he
Shouting, 'Praise
the Lord, we're on a mighty mission
All aboard, we
ain't a-goin' fishin'
Praise the Lord
and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay
free'
Praise the Lord
(Praise the Lord)
And pass the
ammunition
Praise the Lord
(Praise the Lord)
And pass the
ammunition
Praise the Lord
(Praise the Lord)
And pass the
ammunition
And we'll all stay
free
Praise the Lord
and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord
and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord
and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay
free
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