Join the Cavalry facts for kids
Join the Cavalry was a very popular military song during the American Civil War. It was also sometimes called "Jine the Cavalry." The song was a favorite in Virginia.
The song's verses tell stories about the brave actions of Jeb Stuart and his cavalry soldiers. These soldiers were part of the Army of Northern Virginia. The chorus of the song encourages everyone to "join the cavalry!"
"Jine the Cavalry!" was one of General Stuart's most loved songs. It became like a theme song for his cavalry group. The song talks about some of Stuart's famous adventures. These include his daring "Ride around the Army of the Potomac" in 1862. It also mentions the Confederate Cavalry raid into Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in October 1862. One of Stuart's soldiers, Sam Sweeney, was a great banjo player. He often played for Stuart and his officers.
The Song: Jine the Cavalry!
This song became very popular among the soldiers. It helped to boost their spirits. The lyrics below show the excitement and pride of the cavalry.
We're the boys that rode around McClellan,
Rode around McClellan, Rode around McClellan!
We're the boys that rode around McClellan,
Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!
CHORUS:
If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry!
Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry!
If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun,
If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!
Ol' Joe Hooker, won't you come out of The Wilderness?
Come out of The Wilderness, come out of The Wilderness?
Ol' Joe Hooker, won't you come out of The Wilderness?
Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!
CHORUS:
If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry!
Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry!
If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun,<
If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!
We're the boys who crossed the Potomac, who
Crossed the Potomac, who crossed the Potomac!
We're the boys who crossed the Potomac,
Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!
CHORUS:
If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry!
Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry!
If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun,
If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!
We're the boys that rode to Pennsylvania,
Rode to Pennsylvania, rode to Pennsylvania!
We're the boys rode to Pennsylvania,
Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!
CHORUS:
If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry!
Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry!
If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun,
If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!
The big fat Dutch gals hand around the bread,
Hand around the bread, hand around the bread!
The big fat Dutch gals hand around the bread,
Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!
CHORUS:
If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry!
Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry!
If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun,
If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!
