[This article was submitted by Chaplain (Colonel) Robert Nay]
The Army Goes Rolling Along, also known as The Army Song, is the official song of the U.S. Army. Many other Army branches, corps, divisions, and regiments have their own individual official songs, as well. Music has helped to capture and sustain the legacy and essence of the Army.
During World War II, Army Chief of Chaplains (Maj. Gen.) William R. Arnold felt the Army Chaplaincy needed its own official song, and he chose Soldiers of God, which had been circulating in several unofficial versions.
In Circular Letter 281, dated Feb. 1, 1944, Chaplain Arnold wrote:
The Air Corps, Signal Corps, Artillery and Infantry all have had an official song representing the respective branch or service. Now the Chaplain Corps has an official song titled SOLDIERS OF GOD. The spirit-stirring music, composed by Ben Machan, is a catchy melody in thrilling march time. The lyrics, by Private Hy Zaret, are appropriate for a song that will be known everywhere as the Official Chaplains’ March... A preliminary arrangement of the song is included in the January 1944 issue of HIT KIT. The final approved version is being published by Remick Music Corporation.
The first edition of Soldiers of God did not meet the intent of Chaplain Arnold. In a memorandum from the Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain Arnold provided additional guidance. First, in all future publications, the word “call” would be in quotes, to emphasize the sense of divine calling chaplains carry with them as they minister to, care for, and counsel the soldiers, family members, and Department of the Army Civilians within their formations. Second, whereas Zaret’s version started with, “We are there, with the fighters of the nation, Everywhere at a thousand battle stations,” a new verse was added before Zaret’s, starting with, “We are there, as the Chaplains of the nation, Everywhere with our fighting congregation.” Finally, an introductory chorus was added, emphasizing the Chaplain Corps’ service “on the battlefield today.” Despite the changes, Arnold stressed that members of the Chaplain Corps had the option to sing all of Soldiers of God, or just parts of it.
of "Soldiers of God." (Right) GEN George C. Marshall's response letter to the Chief of Chaplains. VIEW ORIGINAL
The HIT KIT produced by the War Department’s Special Services Division was a printed collection of Top 40 and patriotic songs, and it helped to gain some notoriety for Soldiers of God. The Special Services Division also produced a band arrangement for the song and a recorded version. When the song attracted the attention of Bing Crosby, he chose to sing the introductory chorus and Arnold’s first verse, at the Kraft Music Hall Radio Program on Easter, April 9, 1944, in what was considered the song’s first public performance.
band, with conductor score. Arrangements included "Soldiers of God," and
other music for all faith groups. VIEW ORIGINAL
From World War II until 2004, many Chaplain Corps functions around the world included the complete singing of Soldiers of God. Since 2004, the song has fallen out of use, but the members of today’s Chaplain Corps are encouraged to consider reintroducing the song to their official programs.
Mr. Michael Swingler, a former Army chaplain assistant and retired sergeant major, now serves as the Department of the Army Civilian deputy to the command chaplain for U.S. Army Installation Management Command. Swingler has created a database of information for Soldiers of God, which includes more of the history of the song, the sheet music, and several recordings, including the first official recording of the song, done in September 2018 by the U.S. Army Band and Men’s Chorus, after a great deal of coordination by Swingler.
Chaplain Corps members can access the resources collected by Swingler using their common access cards to open the following link:
https://army.deps.mil/army/cmds/imcom_HQ/Chaplain/SitePages/SoldiersOfGod.aspx
The complete lyrics to Soldiers of God:
(Introductory Chorus)
Faithful to God, we’re serving on the battlefield today.
Embracing the cause of Righteousness,
We’re marching on our way.
(Refrain)
Soldiers of God, we serve Him faithfully,
And march in His name
Through thunder and flame
Wherever the “call” may be.
Trusting in God, His strength we lean upon,
As into the fight the Legions of Light,
The Soldiers of God, march on.
(Verse)
We are there, as the Chaplains of the nation,
Everywhere with our fighting congregation,
Serving the Lord, and serving the cause of humanity.
Onward we go till victory is won,
For Justice and Right, the Legions of Light,
The Soldiers of God, march on!
(Refrain)
(Verse)
We are there, with the fighters of the nation,
Everywhere at a thousand battle stations,
Serving the Lord, and serving the cause of humanity.
Onward we go till victory is won,
For Justice and Right, the Legions of Light,
The Soldiers of God, march on!
Notes:
- This article is adapted from the book by Chaplain (Colonel) Robert Nay, Leadership and Transformation of the Army Chaplaincy during WWII; DOTMLPF-P as an Assessment Tool for Religious Support (Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Washington, D.C., July 20, 2020).
- Circular Letter 281, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Feb. 1, 1944.
- Ben Machan and Hy Zaret, Soldiers of God: Official Chaplains’ March, Hit Kit, (Remick Music Corporation, NY, 1943.) Found in, Special Services Division, Army Service Forces, Hit Kit, January 1944.
- U.S. War Department, Army Service Forces, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Dec. 16, 1943. To: Music Section, Special Service Division. Attention: Captain Harry Salter. Copy with the Harry Salter papers, Great American Songbook Foundation, 1 Center Green, Carmel, IN 46032.
- Ben Machan and Hy Zaret, Soldiers of God: Official Chaplains March (Remick Music Corporation, NY, 1944).
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