boogie woogie bugle boy
By Aviva North
Lyrics
He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way He had a boogie style that no one else could play He was the top man at his craft But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft He's in the army now, a-blowin' reveille He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B They made him blow a bugle for his Uncle Sam It really brought him down because he couldn't jam The captain seemed to understand Because the next day the cap' went out and drafted a band And now the company jumps when he plays reveille He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B A-toot, a-toot, a-toot-diddelyada-toot He blows it eight-to-the-bar, in boogie rhythm He can't blow a note unless the bass and guitar is playin' with 'I'm He makes the company jump when he plays reveille He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B He was some boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B And when he plays the boogie woogie bugle he was busy as a "bzzz" bee And when he plays he makes the company jump eight-to-the-bar He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B Toot toot toot-diddelyada, Toot-diddelyada, toot-toot He blows it eight-to-the-bar He can't blow a note if the bass and guitar isn't with 'I'm Ha-ha-hand the company jumps when he plays reveille He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B (Instrumental) He puts the boys to sleep with boogie every night And wakes 'em up the same way in the early bright They clap their hands and stamp their feet Because they know how he plays when someone gives him a beat He really breaks it up when he plays reveille He's boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B Dat-da da-do-do da-dup Dat-da da-do-do da-dup Dat-da da-do-do da-dup Dat-da da-do-do da-dup Ha-ha-hand the company jumps when he plays reveille He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B |
Analysis
This song, as one can tell just from listening to it, is extremely cheery. It seems to be pro war, as it talks about how much ‘fun’ being in the army is. “The cap’ went out and drafted a band” tries to show the more enjoyable side of war and how fun a games could exist. It also tried to boost support for the troops from the people at home and gather support for the war effort in general. Some notable phrases in the song are “He was the top man at his craft/But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft/He's in the army now, a-blowin' reveille” and “They made him blow a bugle for his Uncle Sam” because they emphasize the patriotism and also the drafting process, which is not used today. This song seems in favor of the foreign policy as well. It answers the driving question how war can affect society. In such times, propaganda was necessary to boost moral and make war still seem appealing. So music was an obvious choice, and with such catchy lyrics and an upbeat tone, who could not sing this? Therefore promoting the war effort everywhere they went. I agree with the message of boosting moral and trying to support the war, especially when everyone was forced to contribute. I don't necessarily agree with the glorification of the military service though. This song makes it seem like the military is all fun, games, and creating bands. It ignores to cruelty of war. |