Marching Song
from the Tarawa Atoll by 2-6 of the Second Marine Division
Some of us may have seen the movie from the 1950s, “Battle Cry,” or read the book by Marine Leon Uris.
Tarawa had a string of islets that his unit had to take in November of 1943. It entailed a lot of walking.
They would sing, he said, the following song, “Honey-Babe.”
The Marines didn’t normally do a lot of singing, but he ought to know what happened in his battalion, he was
there. Anyway, the song has been long forgotten, except on Marine bases during the '50s, but now it has been
found on “You Tube” on a 1955 record by MGM.
There is some question about the lyrics. They may have been cleaned up in the book and movie to fit the home
front mores of the time. We are not going to print originals or add-ons here even though the times have changed.
“Honey Babe”
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
I'm just like a prairie flower, honey, honey
I'm just like a prairie flower, babe, babe
I'm just like a prairie flower
Growing wilder
by the hour
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
I'm engaged to marry Sue, honey, honey
I'm engaged to marry Sue, babe, babe
I'm afraid to get undressed
'Cause Mary's tattooed on my chest
Honey, oh baby, mine
Look around, look around
Come join the happy hunting ground
Seven women to each guy
What a lovely way to die
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Got a gal in every port, honey, honey
Got a gal in every port, babe, babe
Got a gal in every port
They're suing me for non-support
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Never saw a dame so large, honey, honey
Broader than a landing barge, babe, babe
For kissin' her, they gave to me
The purple heart for bravery
Honey, oh baby, mine
Yes-sirrree, yes-sirrree
Can you name the same as Lauralee
She ain't much but what the heck
I'm her favorite leatherneck
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Nickle in the drink machine, honey, honey
Nickle in the drink machine, babe, babe
Down the hatch and never stop
Gonna drink until I drop
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Sixth Marine Division