The Canadian Wavy Navy Borrowed a Hit Song
The Effingham Division, RCNVR. Halifax circa December, 1941.
Most volunteered for Combined Operations in the same month.
Long before the new recruits (above) started their training aboard landing crafts on the southern shores of England and visited local pubs in Havant or Portsmouth or Southampton - and learned a number of popular British songs - they likely walked off the grounds of HMCS Stadacona in Halifax (while on leave) and learned a verse or two of a song about the Wavy Navy.
Wavy Navy - A slang term for reservists during WWII. Its derivation is from the rank insignia of officers in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) that were "wavy" rather than being straight. Source - Jackspeak as at readyayeready.com
Roll Along Wavy Navy, Roll Along
(sung to the tune 'Roll Along Covered Wagons')
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
If they ask us who we are
We're the RCNVR --
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
If they ask us who we are
We're the RCNVR --
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
Oh, we joined for the chance to go to sea
Yes, we joined for the chance to go to sea
But the first two years or more
We spent marching on the shore
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
Oh, we joined for the payment and the fun
Yes, we joined for the payment and the fun
But of payment there is none
And the fun is yet to come
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
Oh, we joined for the glory of it all
Yes, we joined for the glory of it all
But the good old RCN
Made us change our minds again
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
And when at last they sent us out to sea
Yes, when at last they sent us out to sea
There were several things we saw
That were not brought up before
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
Man you gun, Seaman Gunner, man your gun
Man you gun, Seaman Gunner, man your gun
Load it up with shot and shell
And we'll blow the Huns to hell
Roll along, Wavy Navy, roll along
Now before we pull up hook and sail away
Yes, before we pull up hook and sail away
If you want some good advice
Before you join, think once or twice
Roll along, Wavy Navy*, roll along
*the song is likely adapted from the songbook of the Royal Navy.
Lili Marlene
A hugely popular song by Marlene Dietrich, who denounced Germany and did
everything she could to boost morale for the Allied troops especially
for those fighting in Italy and Africa.
Photo Credit - The Telegraph
Underneath the lantern, by the barrack gate,
Darling I remember the way you used to wait.
'Twas there that you whispered tenderly,
That you loved me, You'd always be,
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Time would come for roll call,Time for us to part,
Darling I'd caress you and press you to my heart,
And there 'neath that far off lantern light, I'd hold you tight,
We'd kiss good-night,
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Orders came for sailing somewhere over there,
All confined to barracks was more than I could bear;
I knew you were waiting in the street,
I heard your feet, But could not meet,
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Resting in a billet, just behind the line,
Even tho' we're parted, your lips are close to mine.
You wait where that lantern softly gleams.
Your sweet face seems to haunt my dreams.
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Please link to Lili Marlene, sung by Vera Lynn
Unnattributed photos GH
First verse "Roll Along Wavy Navy" should be RCNVR
ReplyDeleteGood eye! I will correct my typo asap : )
ReplyDeleteHi Friend! Costumed interpreter and fellow history blogger here!
ReplyDeleteI am running a workshop on HMS Belfast in the community and perhaps I will bring it to the ship if successful.
I have been searching for songs to sing for my workshop, including from the Royal Navy songbook or the Fleet Air Arm songbook which I am trying to find a printed edition of or even perhaps any song written down.
If this song is from the Royal Canadian Navy, HMS Belfast supported Canadian troops on D-Day at Gold and Juno beaches, so perhaps this may have been a well-known song.
Good morning HB. I wish you good luck with your community workshop and I hope you get to fill the HMS Belfast with song! The old waxen crew that is still on board - after so many years! - could certainly use some cheering up. About the song 'Roll Along Wavy Navy': It is a Canadian Navy song by Canadians, with an Irish connection. A short dig revealed the following re Roll Along Wavy Navy - to the tune of "Roll Along Covered Wagon". The original verses were written in 1936 on the destroyer HMCS SAGUENAY by Gunner Patrick D. Budge (later Rear-Admiral) and Sub-Lieutenant Rufus C. Pope, who later survived the sinking of HMCS FRASER but was lost at sea on 22 Oct 1940, at the rank of Lieutenant, when HMCS MARGAREE sank after a collision with a freighter in her convoy. The melody "Roll Along Covered Wagon" was written in 1934 by James (Jimmy) Kennedy, an Ulsterman, who served in the Royal Artillery in the Second World War. The melody was transcribed from a recording by HMCS YORK band, which was provided by Joe Cullen, CD, CPO2, Naval Reserve, ret'd, HMCS YORK. (@ For Posterity's Sake - https://www.forposterityssake.ca/Songs.htm) Sing away! And if you go to HMS Belfast please let me know, I'll send you pictures of the crew so you'll not feel a stranger. Cheers, Gord Harrison, London ONT Canada
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