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.