Garryowen
I still have a really good question I’m gonna answer for SGT (soon to be 2LT) Lee…but since this is an area that is of particular interest to me, I’m gonna hook HighwindNY up first. You’ll see in a minute why I like this question so much.
“…speaking about history, the only thing that boggles me about the U.S Army is the "Gary Owen" motivation cry. who is he? what is his significance to the 7th Air Calvary?”
The 7th Cavalry has a long proud tradition, but is most famous for two episodes in American history.
First, it was the 7th Cavalry that rode out from Powder River under the command of LTC George Armstrong Custer in 1876 to meet it’s fate at Little Big Horn at the hands of the Oglala Sioux, led by Crazy Horse and Gall, along with contingents from five other tribes. For those of you who have absolutely NO grasp of history at all, the result of General Custer’s overconfidence was the complete slaughter of a large part of the regiment. One hundred and Ninety Seven soldiers died in about twenty minutes. The only known survivor was a horse named Comanche. I won’t get into the politics of it all except to say that both sides did what they had to do and both sides fought like true warriors.
The second well known action by the 7th Cavalry took place in the Ia DrangValley of South Vietnam in 1965. I won’t elaborate too much, since most of you have (hopefully) seen the movie We Were Soldiers, starring Mel Gibson, or read the book it was based on, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young by Joe Galloway and LTC Hal Moore. If you haven’t…the 7th Cavalry had become the 7th Air Cav by this time (pioneers of the Airmobile/Air Assault techniques still used today), and fought the first MAJOR battle of the Vietnam war.
Now on to Gary Owen…
Gary Owen is actually Garryowen…all one word… and it is the Regimental marching song of the famous 7th Cavalry.
Who is he? Well…it’s actually not a he…or even a person. Garryowen (all one word) comes from 2 different gaelic words (Garrai and Oein) that translate roughly to Owen’s garden. Garryowen is a town in County Limerick, Ireland. Thanks to a reputation as a rowdy, wild place it was immortalized in an Irish quickstep in around 1860.
As the story goes, one of the Irish troopers in Custer’s command was singing the song while having a wee bit o’ spirits one night around the fire. The song is a natural for the cavalry as the beat translates well to the rhythm of galloping horses. LTC Custer heard the song and liked it so much it soon became a favorite of the Regiment. It was the last tune played by the Regimental band as they rode out towards Little Big Horn.
The tune became the official “Air” of the Regiment in 1867 and actually became the official tune of the entire 1st Cavalry Division in 1981.
The significance of the tune in the Regiment’s history led to it being incorporated into the Regimental crest, along with the raised saber.
When Soldiers salute an officer, they also traditionally give the “greeting of the day” or the regimental motto. So when any soldier, anywhere, in the 7th Cav salutes, they sound off with “Garry Owen, Sir!” This will also occasionally be used the same way that “Hooah” is used throughout the Army or “OOORAH” is used in the Marine Corps. A good example of the emotion this can contain is a scene in We Were Soldiers where a young trooper is finally reunited with the unit after being cut off for the entire night. I can’t explain the emotion, you have to watch the movie I guess to know what I mean.
Anyway, it’s enough to say that the members of the 7th Cavalry take a lot of pride in this part of their history.
The reason I am so interested in the 7th Cavalry (never having served with them) is this...
My father in law served with 1/7th Cavalry in Vietnam. He arrived around 6 months to a year after the engagement at LZ Xray, and served with them until he was wounded and sent to the hospital in Pleiku. He was a 1LT, a Forward Observer, and a great soldier. (Incidentally he also commanded a Basic Training Company here at Ft Jackson for awhile as a Lieutenant.)
When I met my wife, and went to meet her family eventually, I was a little nervous. We hit it off immediately, and I realized that I was lucky indeed, not only to have found a great woman, but a great set of “in-laws” also. I think both of us being soldiers and talking about his experiences in Vietnam and my experience in the modern Infantry went a long way to set us both at ease lol.
My Father in law, 1LT George W…
If you look closely, you can see a Regimental crest, featuring the words “Garry Owen” pinned on his fatigues.
If I remember correctly this was taken only a few days before he was shot and wounded.
If you’re interested, here are both sets of lyrics to the song Garry Owen. The first is the original lyrics, and the second is the lyrics adopted later by the 7th Cavalry.
Original Version
Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed
But join with me, each jovial blade
Come, drink and sing and lend your aid
To help me with the chorus:
Chorus
Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail;
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.
We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,
We'll make the mayor and sheriffs run
We are the boys no man dares dun
If he regards a whole skin.
Chorus
Our hearts so stout have got no fame
For soon 'tis known from whence we came
Where'er we go they fear the name
Of Garryowen in glory.
Chorus
7TH Cavalry Version
1.
We are the pride of the army,
And a regiment of great renown,
Our name’s on the pages of history,
From sixty six on down.
If you think we stop or falter,
While into the fray we’re goin’
Just watch the step with our heads erect
When our band plays "Garry Owen."
Chorus
In the Fighting Seventh’s the place for me.
It’s the cream of all the cavalry;
No other regiment ever can claim
It’s pride, honor, glory, and undying fame.
2.
We know no fear when stern duty
Calls us far away from home,
Our country’s flag shall sagely o’er us wave,
No matter where we roam.
T’is the gallant Seventh Cavalry,
It matters not where we’re goin’
such you’ll surely say as we march away,
When our band plays "Garry Owen."
3.
Then hurrah for our brave commanders!
Who lead us into the fight.
We’ll do or die in our country’s cause.
And battle for the right.
And when the war is o’er
And to our home we’re goin’
Just watch the step, with our head erect,
When our band plays, "Garry Owen."
Well, I hope this answers your question... I enjoyed writing it.
“…speaking about history, the only thing that boggles me about the U.S Army is the "Gary Owen" motivation cry. who is he? what is his significance to the 7th Air Calvary?”
The 7th Cavalry has a long proud tradition, but is most famous for two episodes in American history.
First, it was the 7th Cavalry that rode out from Powder River under the command of LTC George Armstrong Custer in 1876 to meet it’s fate at Little Big Horn at the hands of the Oglala Sioux, led by Crazy Horse and Gall, along with contingents from five other tribes. For those of you who have absolutely NO grasp of history at all, the result of General Custer’s overconfidence was the complete slaughter of a large part of the regiment. One hundred and Ninety Seven soldiers died in about twenty minutes. The only known survivor was a horse named Comanche. I won’t get into the politics of it all except to say that both sides did what they had to do and both sides fought like true warriors.
The second well known action by the 7th Cavalry took place in the Ia DrangValley of South Vietnam in 1965. I won’t elaborate too much, since most of you have (hopefully) seen the movie We Were Soldiers, starring Mel Gibson, or read the book it was based on, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young by Joe Galloway and LTC Hal Moore. If you haven’t…the 7th Cavalry had become the 7th Air Cav by this time (pioneers of the Airmobile/Air Assault techniques still used today), and fought the first MAJOR battle of the Vietnam war.
Now on to Gary Owen…
Gary Owen is actually Garryowen…all one word… and it is the Regimental marching song of the famous 7th Cavalry.
Who is he? Well…it’s actually not a he…or even a person. Garryowen (all one word) comes from 2 different gaelic words (Garrai and Oein) that translate roughly to Owen’s garden. Garryowen is a town in County Limerick, Ireland. Thanks to a reputation as a rowdy, wild place it was immortalized in an Irish quickstep in around 1860.
As the story goes, one of the Irish troopers in Custer’s command was singing the song while having a wee bit o’ spirits one night around the fire. The song is a natural for the cavalry as the beat translates well to the rhythm of galloping horses. LTC Custer heard the song and liked it so much it soon became a favorite of the Regiment. It was the last tune played by the Regimental band as they rode out towards Little Big Horn.
The tune became the official “Air” of the Regiment in 1867 and actually became the official tune of the entire 1st Cavalry Division in 1981.
The significance of the tune in the Regiment’s history led to it being incorporated into the Regimental crest, along with the raised saber.
When Soldiers salute an officer, they also traditionally give the “greeting of the day” or the regimental motto. So when any soldier, anywhere, in the 7th Cav salutes, they sound off with “Garry Owen, Sir!” This will also occasionally be used the same way that “Hooah” is used throughout the Army or “OOORAH” is used in the Marine Corps. A good example of the emotion this can contain is a scene in We Were Soldiers where a young trooper is finally reunited with the unit after being cut off for the entire night. I can’t explain the emotion, you have to watch the movie I guess to know what I mean.
Anyway, it’s enough to say that the members of the 7th Cavalry take a lot of pride in this part of their history.
The reason I am so interested in the 7th Cavalry (never having served with them) is this...
My father in law served with 1/7th Cavalry in Vietnam. He arrived around 6 months to a year after the engagement at LZ Xray, and served with them until he was wounded and sent to the hospital in Pleiku. He was a 1LT, a Forward Observer, and a great soldier. (Incidentally he also commanded a Basic Training Company here at Ft Jackson for awhile as a Lieutenant.)
When I met my wife, and went to meet her family eventually, I was a little nervous. We hit it off immediately, and I realized that I was lucky indeed, not only to have found a great woman, but a great set of “in-laws” also. I think both of us being soldiers and talking about his experiences in Vietnam and my experience in the modern Infantry went a long way to set us both at ease lol.
My Father in law, 1LT George W…
If you look closely, you can see a Regimental crest, featuring the words “Garry Owen” pinned on his fatigues.
If I remember correctly this was taken only a few days before he was shot and wounded.
If you’re interested, here are both sets of lyrics to the song Garry Owen. The first is the original lyrics, and the second is the lyrics adopted later by the 7th Cavalry.
Original Version
Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed
But join with me, each jovial blade
Come, drink and sing and lend your aid
To help me with the chorus:
Chorus
Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail;
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.
We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,
We'll make the mayor and sheriffs run
We are the boys no man dares dun
If he regards a whole skin.
Chorus
Our hearts so stout have got no fame
For soon 'tis known from whence we came
Where'er we go they fear the name
Of Garryowen in glory.
Chorus
7TH Cavalry Version
1.
We are the pride of the army,
And a regiment of great renown,
Our name’s on the pages of history,
From sixty six on down.
If you think we stop or falter,
While into the fray we’re goin’
Just watch the step with our heads erect
When our band plays "Garry Owen."
Chorus
In the Fighting Seventh’s the place for me.
It’s the cream of all the cavalry;
No other regiment ever can claim
It’s pride, honor, glory, and undying fame.
2.
We know no fear when stern duty
Calls us far away from home,
Our country’s flag shall sagely o’er us wave,
No matter where we roam.
T’is the gallant Seventh Cavalry,
It matters not where we’re goin’
such you’ll surely say as we march away,
When our band plays "Garry Owen."
3.
Then hurrah for our brave commanders!
Who lead us into the fight.
We’ll do or die in our country’s cause.
And battle for the right.
And when the war is o’er
And to our home we’re goin’
Just watch the step, with our head erect,
When our band plays, "Garry Owen."
Well, I hope this answers your question... I enjoyed writing it.
posted by Jack at 09:50
19 Comments:
Hey thanks for the info. I was wondering what Gary Owen meant. That movie We were soldiers.. is my favorite, i've watched it numerous times. I also like that part when those two soldiers rejoin the line and the small guy says Gary Owen,sir to the colonel. My favorite part is when there first boarding the choppers and they all yell Gary owen and start loading the choppers. If you Know of any good websites with some good pictures of this battle, email me @ aboveallgood@sbcglobal.com
I want to see some pictures of everything. not just poses of soldiers, I want to see what they were seeing. Thanks Lupe. by the way that's a cool picture of your father-in-law, man he was young and far away from home.
I just saw a Military Channel show about the Korean War. The 7th Calvary, according to the show was MacAuthors favorite Regiment, were the first large contingent of US troops to enter Korea after the initial invasion from the North Koreans. They played Gary Owen when they showed them landing. Pretty cool.
very informative. we were soldiers is a very powerful film. Good to see it from the side of the wifes to ...I did the falklands and the gulf and neaver thought of it that way...gonna get the books now...always been interested in the nam and amazed at the loss of life at both ends...
Garryowen was also the regimental march of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR). The Ulster Defence Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1970 to assist with security duties within Northern Ireland. It was the largest regiment in the British Army, formed with an initial seven battalions and an extra four added later. It amalgamated in 1992 with the Royal Irish Rangers, forming the Royal Irish Regiment. In 2007 the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross was awarded to the regiment by Queen Elizabeth II for its service during Operation BANNER and the regiment is now allowed to use the postnominal letters CGC as part of its name (The Ulster Defence Regiment CGC).
I was with B Troop 4/7 Korea 1968-1969 13 mos 29 days. I can't find any info about my unit. I was mostly in the DMZ looking For UI's we were mec not choppers M-48's ,113, 114's gun-jeeps and M-14teens cold in the winter, hot in the summer,wet during the monsoons and the rest of the time we ate dust.
Garryowen
D.A.MItch
Neat information. My interest stems from my Grandfather having been 7th CAV Commander when they battled on Luzon and on to Tokyo with MacArthur. His name was Colonel Finnegan. Garry Owen my friend and thanks for the website!
Just an old E-5. My squad was the best! "Garry Owen" Sir! I lost Sean Gallagher. He was the best 11-Bravo I ever knew. He was a buddy and a friend...AND...he could shoot the eye out of a gnat at 200 yards! And 41 years later...I still drink a toast to him...his favorite drink..."Black Jack" Straight-Up...with a smoked oyster.
FYI The song Garry Owen can be dated back to at least 1788. The story about Custer liking the song and adopting it seems to be pretty universal so it is probably true. My father served in the 7th Regiment, First Division USCC when they still were equestrian and fought through WW II. I will post a quiz for you readers: what is the motto of the First Cavalry. Remember that the division was created in 1922. The slogan "The First Team" was adopted in 1944 (my father was there). The division had a motto in 1922. That is the question.
Day night,gold für wow the moon or on world of warcraft gold the tree,cheap wow gold Hao Jie pouring down the moonlight, as if accompanied by Xiaotu Feifei enter sweet dreams. In the dream, a dream Feifei about his sister to the moon night. Will open the door,wow gold kaufen go down the moon sister.mesos Xiaochanzouxia take is that they did not see the moon sister. At that time, anchored at the tree on the moon sister saw Xiaochan, they yelled loudly: "Feifei, Feifei, I tree, the tree, I." Xiaochan sit at the moon to his sister, who Daizhaoxiaochan came wow geld to the beautiful pond. Only, water,maple story mesos everywhere in the lush leaves and beautiful flowers.maple story items A frog squatting lotus leaf, see Xiaochan, surprised and said: "Xiaochan,wow gold farmen you can even sit on the moon. You simply It's amazing!maple story money I am sure that you are the first animals to the moon by the animal. good,wow leveling I envy you!Maple Story Accounts "Xiaotu listening, happy to smile. Then, with the moon sister Xiaotu to its home.powerlevel Only, the moon sister's home stars are everywhere. The eyes of a star a Zha Zha,world of warcraft power leveling like Xiaotu greeted the arrival of a mouth, like: "Xiaochan, Hello, we at the Moon Palace waiting for your arrival."maple story powerleveling Xiaotu listened,archlord gold smiling all of the 1930. Finally, the moon Xiaotu sister back home, also pleased to Xiaochan said goodbye. Xiaochan also pleased to the moon sister said: "The Moon sister Goodbye! You bring me to this night. Dainiqu next time I visit some of ourforests."
i would like to have the garyowen ringtone so does anyone have it or could make it for me, Ilove the history of Custer
Do you know buy lindens? I like it.
My brother often go to the internet bar to buy second life linden and play it.
After school, He likes playing games using these cheap linden with his friends.
I do not like to play it. Because I think that it not only costs much money but also spend much time. One day, he give me many linden dollars and play the game with me.
I came to the bar following him and found secondlife money was so cheap. After that, I also go to play game with him.
Do you know shadow of legend Gold? I like it..
My brother often go to the internet bar to buy sol gold and play it.
After school, He likes playing games using these buy shadow of legend Gold with his friends.
I do not like to play it. Because I think that it not only costs much money but also spend much time. One day, he give me many cheap shadow of legend Gold and play the game with me.
I came to the bar following him and found shadow of legend money was so cheap. After that, I also go to play game with him.
Have you heared about a game which you need use Anarchy credits to play, and you can also borrow Anarchy Online credits from other players? But you can buy AO credits, or you will lose the choice if you do not have Anarchy online gold. If you get Anarchy gold, you can continue this game.
Have you heared about a game which you need use Atlantica online Gold to play, and you can also borrow Atlantica Gold from other players? But you can buy Atlantica online Gold, or you will lose the choice if you do not have cheap Atlantica online Gold. If you get Atlantica online money, you can continue this game.
At one time or another, I do not have the rf gold ; at the first time, I am not willing to buy rf online gold . But I do not wonder I buy the rf money , my friend thinks that I am ill. But when I have it, it carries the magic from such a group, such a link in the world, rf cp , it is the key bring you to this world. But cheap rf gold is the best desire that I make.
Without thinking I buy some runescape gold . I use some rs gold and want to find a good group. We often buy runescape money together on Monday. As if it is a rule. I think it is the real friendship. buy runescape is already become the essential thing in my life. So I will introduce my friends have the cheap rs gold , we can be consist of a group, it must be very interesting.
My friends like to play it and buy EtherSaga Online Gold. If you have money to buy EtherSaga Gold, you will find it is very useful. Earning EtherSaga Online money is not so hard. Try your best and then you can get it. I buy EtherSaga Gold, just because I like it. You will like to buy cheap EtherSaga Gold, believe me.
I am so happy to get some gw gold from my friends. They know I need GuildWars Gold, they give me. So I always can get some Guild Wars Gold from my friends. I buy GuildWars money with my spare money. It makes me happy that I can still earn some cheap gw gold.
Do you know that the wow gold? The players often forget to eat meal when they play the online games. In the game many players need the World of Warcraft Gold to up their levels. so they often search where can warcraft gold, I think our website maybe is your best choice. Many friends told me that in here can get buy wow gold, and here you can also relax yourself. so i hope more and more players come here to buy the cheap wow gold.
Do you want to know the magic of online games, and here you can get more Sho Online Mun. Do you want to have a try? Come on and Sho Mun can make you happy.You can change a lot Sho Online gold for play games. Playing online games can make much Sho gold. And you can buy Sho Online gold do what you want to do in the online game.
You smart and buy Sword of the New World Vis, you play the game is right, Sword of the New World Gold. you have a wonderful time, buy vis, I have it cheap snw vis, I buy Sword of the New World money.
It is a very nice game silkroad gold, I like sro gold. You can play it silkroad online gold, you can buy the cheap silk road gold. You smart and buy cheap silkroad gold.
I am a Chief Petty Officer (E7) of a 20 year career in the US Navy, but my first and continuing love is the US Army's Seventh Cavalry. My father was in the Seventh when I was born in the post hospital of Fort Brown, Texas, and continued so until he retired in 1945. His name being Owens, and his nick name "Garry," as a result of the Seventh's motto and song, it seems almost inevitable that his first born child would be named "Garry Owens." The foregoing postings on this blog is really great information. I know of a few minor differences, but .... I have the music and words of the song Garryowen and could play it for Tom, but it is kinda hard to do via email. There is a store in Montana that qualifies as a town. It is named Garryowen and is for sale. It includes some of the ground of the battle of the Little Big Horn 0f 1875. Also, I have a son, a grand son, and a great grand son, all named Garry Owens.
Garryowen, Sir! Ooorah!
Garry Owens
Tomslife here I would like the help to do a ringtone about Gen. Custer called GARYOWEN for my blackberry cell phone don't know how to do this Love Gen. Custers history.Tom
the line in the song "We are the boys no man dares dun
If he regards a whole skin." refers to a game/contest with medieval roots: "dun in the mire". Much like "smear the queer" of my childhood (sorry you PC folks... we really did call it that) you basically tried to tackle whomever had the football... or in their case was the "dun". (dunce? dimwit?)
Post a Comment
<< Home