Marine Corps Cadence

A staple of Marine Corps physical fitness is the formation run. And no respectable formation run would be complete with out a little cadence – salt optional. Singing cadence helps keep Marines in line and in step, and motivate them throughout the run. Here are three Marine Corps cadences to call on your next run.

Lt. Gen. Martin R. Berndt, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Atlantic, leads his Marines and sailors on an early morning farewell run.

Photo by Sgt. Chris R. Berryman

BACK IN 1775

1. Back in 1775,
2. My Marine Corps came alive.
3. First there came the color blue,
4. To show the world that we are true.
5. Next there came the color red,
6. To show the world the blood we shed.
7. Finally there came the color green
8. To show the world that we are mean.

FORCE RECON

1. Paint my face black and paint my face green
2. You won't see me I'm a Recon Marine.
3. I slip and slither into the night
4. You won't see me 'til I'm ready to fight.
5. You'll run in the bushes, you'll try to hide
6. But that's where I live, so you're sure to die.
7. You won't see me 'til it's too late
8. A flash and bang will be your fate.

GRANNY

1. When my Granny was 91
2. She did PT just for fun
3. When my Granny was 92
4. She did PT better than you
5. When my Granny was 93
6. She did PT better than me
7. When my Granny was 94
8. She did PT more and more
9. When my Granny was 95
10. She did PT to stay alive
11. When my Granny was 96
12. She did PT just for kicks
13. When my Granny was 97
14. She up and died and went to heaven
15. She met St. Peter at the Pearly Gates,
16. Said, hey St. Peter hope I ain't late.
17. St. Peter looked at her with a grin,
18. Said, get down Granny and knock out 10.
19. She knocked out 10 and did 10 more,
20. Dedicated them to the Corps.
21. Peter looked at Granny said you're so cool,
22. We're sending you back to sniper school.
23. Granny said to Peter, I ain't no fool.
24. I could be teachin' that doggone school