Strike Up the Band (1930)

Lyrics

[JIM] We fought in 1917 Rum-ta-ta tum-tum-tum And drove the tyrant from the scene Rum-ta-ta tum-tum-tum We're in a bigger, better war For your patriotic pastime We don't know what we're fighting for But we didn't know the last time So load the cannon, draw the blade Rum-ta-ta tum-tum-tum Come on and join the big parade Rum-ta-ta tum-tum Rum-ta-ta tum-tum Rum-ta-ta tum-tum-tum [JIM & ENSEMBLE] Let the drums roll out (Boom-boom-boom) Let the trumpet call (Ta-ta-ra-ta-ta-ta-ta) While the people shout (Hooray!) "Strike up the band" Hear the cymbals ring (Tszing-tszing-tszing) Calling one and all (Ta-ta-ra-ta-ta-ta-ta) To the martial swing (Left, right) Strike up the band [JIM] There is work to be done, to be done There's a war to be won, to be won Come you son of a son of a gun Take your stand Fall in line, yea bo Come along, let's go Hey, leader, strike up the band! [ENSEMBLE] Let the drums roll out Let the trumpets call While the people shout "Strike up the band" Hear the cymbals ring Calling one and all To the martial swing Strike up the band Yankee doo doodle-oo doodle-oo We'll come through, doodle-oo doodle-oo For the red, white and blue doodle-oo Lend a hand With our flag unfurled We can lick the world Hey, leader, strike up the band! [Dance break.] Let the drums roll out Let the trumpets call While the people shout "Strike up the band" Hear the cymbals ring Calling one and all To the martial swing Strike up the band There is work to be done, to be done There's a war to be won, to be won Come you son of a son of a gun Take your stand Fall in line, yea bo Come along, let's go Hey, leader, strike up the band!