10 Awesome USMC Running Cadence To Love
The rolling boom of rhythmic notes and repeated beats by the US Marines can even pump you up to exercise. A USMC running cadence displays an impressive and light side of military training. Probably you’ve seen them from afar or from the movies, but their chant keeps their steps, breathing, and discipline, in unison and intact.
The history of most of these cadences comes from a certain lore of Jodi – an unfit man to join the army. Jodi, since ill and in poor condition, usually takes advantage of other men’s belongings, wives, or girlfriends. He is paired up with a girl named Suzy in most cadences.
Because of that story, more and more chants became so humorous and obscene in nature. However, some of them retained their patriotic hymns. Even if you’re no Marine soldier, you can use these cadences for yourself to motivate you to work, exercise, or boost your self-esteem.
Top 10 best USMC running cadence
These cadences were often used in the army and some of them have been contributed by military enthusiasts. Our number #1 running cadence has simply a wonderful beat and note to it. See the lyrics below while tuning to the music here.
Marine Corps Running Cadence
Lo Right, A Lo Righty A Lay O
Lo Right, A Lefty Righty A Lo
Lo Right, A Lo Righty A Lay O
Lo Right, A Lefty Righty A Lay Lo
Momma told Johnny not to go down town
Marine Corps recruiter was hanging around
Suzy told Johnny go serve your nation
take a cab down to the MEPS station
Lo Right, A Lo Righty A Lay O
Lo Right, A Lo Righty A Lay O
Momma told Johnny not to go down town
Marine Corps recruiter was hanging around
Suzy’s in the bedroom, Jodie’s at the window
Johnny’s got his bags and he’s ready to go
put Johnny on a greyhound bus
then there came the bends and thrusts
Drill Instructors trained him rough and hard
They taught him to fight, they taught him to march
Lo Right, A Lo Righty A Lay O
Lo Right, A Lo Righty A Lay O
Momma told Johnny not to go down town
Marine Corps recruiter was hanging around
it was short but long it seemed
Johnny had earned the title Marine
Johnny survived like all the rest
Johnny got popped on a urine analysis
Johnny thought he was one in a million
a urine sample made him a civilian
Lo Right, A Lo Righty A Lay O
Lo Right, A Lo Righty A Lay O
Momma Told Johnny not to go downtown
Marine Corps recruiter was hanging around…
I had a pig and his name was Sam
Sunday he was bacon, on Monday he was ham
Grinding my Ka-bar in the barn
While my donkey runs the farm
Got a steer and his name was Jake
Tuesday he was burgers on Wednesday he was steak
Grinding my ka-bar in the barn
while my donkey runs the farm
bare with me ’cause this may sound sick
Gotta strip out some baby chicks
Me and my donkey gonna take a little trip
The Colonel’s in need of some Crispy strips
Lo Righty Lo Righty Lo Righty Lo
Lefty Right A Lo, Here We Go
Got two roosters named larry and Lee
One’s going to Church’s the other KFC
Grinding my ka-bar in the barn
While my donkey runs the farm
Got some lamb and a couple of sheep
Gotta have gyros and mutton ain’t cheap
I still grind my ax in the barn
while my donkey runs the farm
Lo Righty Lo Righty Lo Righty Lo
Lefty Righty Lo, Righty Lo, Righty Lo
If you see what we mean, there’s some humor added to it and they placed Jodi and Suzy together in the story. There’s a little bit of obscenity there, but those elements have already compromised the running cadences rhythms in the military. The song has a light and fun element to it which can make any people get up and running.
The United States Marine
You can keep your Army khaki,
You can keep your Navy blue,
I have the World’s best fighting man,
To introduce to you
His uniform is different,
The best you’ve ever seen,
The Germans called him “Devil Dog”
His real name is “Marine.”
He was born on Parris Island,
The place where God forgot.
The sand is eighteen inches deep,
The sun is blazing hot.
He gets up every morning,
Before the rising sun.
He’ll run a hundred miles and more,
Before the day is done.
He’s deadly with a rifle,
A bayonet made of steel.
He took the Warrior’s calling card,
He’s mastered how to kill.
And when he gets to Heaven,
St. Peter he will tell,
One more Marine reporting, sir,
I’ve spent my time in Hell.
So listen, all you young girls,
To what I have to say;
Go find yourself a young Marine,
To love you everyday.
He’ll hug you and he’ll kiss you,
And treat you like a queen,
There is no better Fighting Man,
The United States Marine
This one sticks the theme to loyalty and patriotism to the American flag, people, and self. The sudden insurgence of funny cadences led to the rarity of nationalistic cadences. Still, the USMC running cadence instills this theme for their beats.
Why I Want To Be A Marine
Everywhere I go people ask me,
why when I grow I want to be a Marine.
I turn my head sharply and look them in the eye,
have you heard of the Marines who fought and died.
Somewhere in the jungle covered in blood,
a U.S.Marine is dyin’ in the mud.
He fought to keep this country free,
but like everything else freedom isn’t free.
This cadence has a more somber tune that speaks the harsh truth of being a marine. It also tells us the many men and women of US who wanted to grow up and join the army. Their motivation of serving the Land of the Free is what keeps them going to attain their goals.
Coon Skin
Coon skin and alligator hide
Make a pair of jump boots just the right size
Shine ’em up, lace ’em up, put ’em on your feet
A good pair of jump boots can’t be beat
Simple as it is, it says about the importance of having a great shoe. Military boots are often rugged and tactical in nature to survive the harshest of weather conditions. And in this cadence, they are highly referring it to – leather.
When I Die
When I Die
Bury me deep
With Two M16s
Beneath my Feet
and by my side
my mule i wear
and don’t forget now
to pack my PT GEAR
Cause early one morning
at zero five
the earth is gonna shake
they’ll be lightning from the sky
Don’t you be worry
and don’t you come undone
Cause me and Chesty Puller
will be on our PT RUN
Singing I wanna be a drill instructor
I wanna shave off all my hair
I wanna wear that smokey bear
Chesty Puller is the most highly-decorated man in the Marines. Oftentimes, his name has been tagged in many USMC running cadences to inspire the men to become a lot like him. This chant tells us that this Marine would die for honor’s sake to serve his countrymen.
Spirit Of The Marine Corps
RIGHTY LEFFFT O LEFTY RIGHT O LEYO
Walkin in marine corp spirit
We are proud to serve our country and our corp
Standing tall with honor all the way
The eagle is the country we are proud to serve
The globe we wear shows our worldwide service
The anchor shows our strong naval traditions
Standing tall with spirit all the way
Righty left o lefty right o leyo
Walkin in marine corp spirit
We are proud to serve our country and our corp
Standing tall with courage all the way
It was shown in chesty pullers actions
When he won the five navy crosses
It was shown atop mount iwo jima
Marines are strong, and we will never die
Right left o lefty right o layo
Walkin in marine corp spirit
We are proud to serve our country and our corp
Standing tall commited all the way.
Again, it attaches Chesty’s name for motivation to becoming a good marine. The song shares that they are proud of being a Marine and to serve their country whole-heartedly.
Just One Day
I can run to Haiti like this
All the way to Haiti like this
And when I get Haiti the Haitians gonna say
How’d you get to Haiti in just one day
And I’ll reply with a whole lot of anger
Blood and guts and a little bit of danger
HOYEAH
Motivated
Dedicated
I can run to Bosnia like this
all the way to Bosnia like this
when i get to Bosnia the Serbs are gonna say
how’d you get to Bosnia in just one day
and I’ll reply with a whole lot of anger
Blood and guts and a little bit of danger
HOYEAH
Motivated
Dedicated
HOYEAH
That’s me
That’s you
I can run to Somalia like this
all the way to Somalia like this
when I get to Somalia they’re gonna say
how’d you get to Somalia in just one day
and I’ll reply with a whole lot of anger
Blood and guts and a little bit of danger
HOYEAH
Haiti
Everyday
Everyway
HOYEAH
I can run to Iraq like this
all the way to Baghdad like this
and when I get to Iraq Saddam’s gonna say
how’d you get to Iraq in just one day
and I’ll reply with a whole lot of anger
Blood and guts and a little bit of danger
HOYEAH
That’s for me
The military is famously known for their rigorous training and would do best in a war. So, Haiti, Bosnia, Somalia, or Iraq – these countries have been plagued by conflict, and American forces have chimed in to stop it.
Born To Be A Marine
Talkin to my daddy on his dying bed
With a smile on his face this is what he said
When I came out of my mother’s womb
I found myself in the delivery room
All bloody and white I rappelled to the floor
Cut the umbilical and crawled to the door
Cruised the ward and I’m lookin good
Baby little marine like I should
Camouflage diaper black baby shoes
Butter knife sword and baby dress blues
Humvee stroller tricycle tank
Three diaper pins on my coller for rank
Down the hall I heard some crying like heck
Walked right in called “Attention on deck!”
Listen up wimps I’m in command
All your cryin and your snivelin I will not stand
They said aye aye sir and I had it made
I was commanding officer of the baby brigade.
The title says it all. He was made to be a marine on the day he was born. The song is actually funny, but on a deeper note, it makes a lot of sense. Other versions of the song has an ending that chants,
“Papa laid back and then he died.
I bowed my head but I didn’t cry.
Now this little story I like to tell
‘Cause Papa’s in command of marines in hell!”
Chesty Puller Was A Good Marine
Chesty Puller was a good marine and a good marine was he
He called for his pipe and he called for his privates three
“Beer, Beer, Beer” said the privates; who the heck are we
But none so fair that we compare to Marine Corps Infantry
Chesty Puller was a good marine and a good marine was he
He called for his pipe and he called for his corporals three
“Push, Push, Push” said the corporals
“Beer, Beer, Beer” said the privates; who the heck are we
The army’s fair but they don’t compare to Marine Corps Infantry
Chesty Puller was a good marine and a good marine was he
He called for his pipe and he called for his sergeants three
“Left, right, left” said the sergeants
“Push, Push, Push” said the corporals
“Beer, Beer, Beer” said the privates; who the heck are we
The army’s fair but they don’t compare to Marine Corps Infantry
Chesty Puller was a good marine and a good marine was he
He called for his pipe and he called for his gunnys three
“We do all the work” said the gunnys
“Left, right, left” said the sergeants
“Push, Push, Push” said the corporals
“Beer, Beer, Beer” said the privates; who the heck are we
The army’s fair but they don’t compare to Marine Corps Infantry
Chesty Puller was a good marine and a good marine was he
He called for his pipe and he called for his lieutenants three
“Fol-Ow Me” said the lieutenants
“We do all the work” said the gunnys
“Left, Right, Left” said the sergeants
“Push, Push, Push” said the corporals
“Beer, Beer, Beer” Said the privates; who the heck are we
The army’s fair but they don’t compare To Marine Corps Infantry
Chesty Puller was a good marine and a good marine was he
He called for his pipe and he called for his captains three
“War, War, War” said the captains
“Fol-Ow Me” said the lieutenants
“We Do All The Work” said the gunnys
“Left Right Left” said the sergeants
“Push Push Push” said the corporals
“Beer Beer Beer” said the privates; who the heck are we
The army’s fair but they don’t compare to Marine Corps Infantry
This is actually the most popular Chesty Puller running cadence in the military. The song is patterned to the nursery rhyme of Old King Cole and so are the beats.
If I Die In A Combat Zone
If I die in a combat zone
Box me up and ship me home
Issue my rifle to another Marine,
It served me well and I know it’s clean
Put me in a set of Dress Blues,
Comb my hair and shine my shoes.
Pin my medals upon my chest
Tell my mamma I did my best
When I get to heaven, St. Peter he will say
“How did you earn your living, how did you earn your pay?”
I reply with a little bit of thunder,
Made my livin’ killing down under
When I go home, the pro-testers they will say
“How did you earn your livin’, how did you earn your pay?”,
I reply as I take out my knife,
“Get outa my way before I take your life…”
If I die in a combat zone,
Box me up and ship me home.
Pin my medals upon my chest.
Tell my mamma I did my best.
Mothers of America, don’t you cry.
The Marine Corps motto is “Do or die.”
With my K-Bar in my hand,
Fighting my way to the Promised Land.
Red dog leader, this is red dog one.
Send me on another one.
For marines who have died in the war, honor and respect is given. This USMC running cadence gave us another side of the story on whether killing to protect the people is a sin or not.