Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-30


sniAg the war? Why promote social
and artistic stimuli among the SOL
diers of the great American Army?
Shoaaldn't they be putting every ounce
OF energy into squads left" and
sqnnds right? How can mass sing
1Rg play a part in tuning the morale
and IN increasing the efficiency of the
boys In khaki?
A visit among the boys of the 154th
Depot Brigade will clear. away all
doubts as to the Psychology Of the ef-
fect OF mass singing. Stand before
several hundred of these boys as they
put their heart and soul into sing
ing Pack Up Your Troubles" and one
win at once understand why the United
States government lost little time
In catching the tip from England and
France to make our army a singing
army. Singing men are fighting men,
1t Is fundamental truth that sing
ing Is essential in keeping up the
spirits of the soldiers. 1t is as sa-
nent q fact that the army that sings
IL bound to win. Morale is in
creased through pouring out the emo
lions In song. The same spirit that
prompted the boys Of 81 to gather
around the campfire to sing. thus for
getting their discomforts, is just as
Song puts life and power into the
hearts Of the lighters. Pep will win
the war. and pep is fostered through
song.
Boys Are Always Ready.
Camp duty make it necessary for
the song leader to carry on his work
whenever and wherever he may find
aegroup. But the boys are always
ready to sing, no matter where the
There's big reason behind II. Maj.
Gen. Wood put it this way: There
Is nothing. not even letters from
home. that will drive away the blues
30 effectively as good. CHEEKY
The practice march or. hike affords
ASsplendid opportunity for the lead
err to put in some hard work 1t is
ND TO- him to keep the boys singing,
and the way Onward Christian Sol
diers. The Battle Hymn Of the Re-
Burning are sung would dispel any
doubt as to the, value OF song while !
marching. To keep the boys light |
hearted and at the same time to /
arouse sense of comradeship is the |
purpose Of hiking songs,
gnSse SAMMY, Ne gets the tntanerys
He gets the cavalry, he gets artillery,
And now. by gosh, wen ali 20 to Germany. |
Goodbye Kaiser Bill;
or ssThereIl Be Hot Time in the
Old Town" never fail their purpose
a short chorus may be kept going
on the hike for some time by divid-
ing the column into sections, each
section singing in turn. Here the
competitive, spirit comes In. One Sec
ton Will always try to surpass the
other. Thus the miles are forgotten. !
Time passes speedily; and less atten- i
ton 10 paid to the "hve-inch crust of
Clinton county dust" or to 'the socks
OF sisters that raise the blooming |
blisters'-the last long mile" finds
the men CHEEKY and 1T. In Keeping
things hun1ming all along the line, the. !
leader may hike q far greater dis
lance than the total length OF march, |
but the satisfaction in helping to
keep the time enlivened and spirits |
high will be compensation enough
Ills Of Day Fade Away.
Another golden opportunity for the
song leader is In the Y, NJ c. A.
building, particularly in the evening
when the crowd is gathering to en-
Joy boxing, movies or an entertain
ment. The ills of the day soon fade
away as soon as songs are started
and a number or two will attract the
boys in from the social room or from
sounding with exhilarating song.
Here is a splendid chance for the
leader to spend a moment or two in
o0o "a onont1ra rloar onnnNia.