Blood On the Risers(Gory Gory What a Helluva Way to Die)

Mp3 available at:
http://www.west-point.org/greimanj/west_point/songs/bloodontherisers.m3u


Link to an Original Distribution Document:
http://www.serviceofsupply.com/images/Keeper%20Pics/BloodonTheRisers.jpg

Link to Paratroop Training Booklet circa 1943:
http://www.517prct.org/documents/1943_paratrooper_training_fort_benning/ft_be...


A song written when the airborne divisions were formed. It was played every morning during PT until recently.

Posted by a Panther. H-Minus! Airborne! All the way!

For those of you who know what the hell a panther is you might also appreciate this vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiWPZJoxk1A


LYRICS:

He was just a rookie trooper and he surely shook with fright.
He checked off his equipment and made sure his pack was tight.
He had to sit and listen to those awful engines roar.
You ain't gonna jump no more.


Chorus:
Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die.
Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die.
Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die.
He ain't gonna jump no more.

"Is everybody happy?" cried the sergeant looking up.
Our hero feebly answered, "Yes", and then they stood him up.
He jumped into the icy blast, his static line unhooked.
And he ain't gonna jump no more.

He counted long, he counted loud, he waited for the shock.
He felt the wind, he felt the cold, he felt the awful drop.
The silk from his reserve spilled out and wrapped around his legs.
And he ain't gonna jump no more.

The risers swung around his neck, connectors cracked his dome.
Suspension lines were tied in knots around his skinny bones.
The canopy became his shroud, he hurtled to the ground.
And he ain't gonna jump no more.

The days he lived and loved and laughed kept running through his mind.
He thought about the girl back home, the one he left behind.
He thought about the medicos and wondered what they'd find.
And he ain't gonna jump no more.

The ambulance was on the spot, the jeeps were running wild.
The medics jumped and screamed with glee, rolled up their sleeves and smiled.
For it had been a week or more since last a 'chute had failed.
And he ain't gonna jump no more.

He hit the ground, the sound was "Splat," his blood went spurting high.
His comrades they were heard to say, "A helluva way to die."
He lay there rolling 'round in the welter of his gore.
And he ain't gonna jump no more.

There was blood upon the risers, there were brains upon the 'chute.
Intestines were a-dangling from his paratrooper suit.
He was a mess, they picked him up and poured him from his boots.
And he ain't gonna jump no more.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Airborne
• Blood
• Upon
• on
• Risers
• Gory
• 82nd
• 101st
• 173rd
• 507th
• 501st
• 18th
• Corps
• Static
• Line
• Jump
• Bragg
• Benning
• Mackall
• Toccoa
• Panthers
• Falcons
• Devils
• Fury

[armoredwatermelon]

You have the title wrong. I am doing a report on paratroopers and found IN PRIMARY SOURCES that it is spelled "helluva" not "hell of a." That is how the paratroopers spell it, that is how you NEED to spell it.

[azazel221]

@armoredwatermelon Good point. Never noticed. Done.

[azazel221]

@armoredwatermelon If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Spent four years in the eighty deuce, abn inf.

[therandomgoth]

im pretty sure its actually glory not gory

[azazel221]

@therandomgoth You would be wrong. See lyrics in description. Then see lyrics on original distribution sheet through link in lyrics. Then look at the comments and see that this is resolved every month, and observe that you're on the losing side. Also notice that all of the people who think that it is glory and not gory was/is not a paratrooper while the ones correcting them are/were paratroopers.

[Phogfreak]

One of the finest, and deeply, deeply traditional military songs in U.S. armed forces history. Still sung today at the Airborne School in Ft. Benning, Georgia before new troopers go up for their first jump. If you haven't been there through the school, you can't really relate, so most of you civilians who don't know any 20th century U.S Army history, well, it's best you keep your mouth shut. If you don't, later tonight you'll be visited by 3 ghosts, all wearing patches from the 82nd or 101st..

[Navyisgreat476]

may be fan of the navy but gotta give respect for our paratroopers :)

[ilikeblondie]

@azazel221 I think he gets that because this song is based from the battle hymn of the republic. Just sayin, they changed the whole of the other words why not change glory to gory :P

[remyof62]

@101AirborneFilmsGuns

thanks from France

[101AirborneFilmsGuns]

Great grandfather served in George Company 101st Airborne world war two served with Fritz niland the real private Ryan wish I could've lived in their generation what great people!

[rocky1817]

Currahe brought me here

[hene984]

I don't know why but I like this song

[jpg36c]

I heard this in band of brothers this song fills my house now.

[gershonbenfranja]

Charlie 632 here. From back in 1972. Glad to hear they are still singing this song. Thanks.

[aceflyer89]

@aldjals54423 I will VERY shortly and I will serve with the greatest honour and devotion. It's in my blood so I must continue it :)) Yeah lol :P

[aldjals54423]

@aceflyer89 then serve for your country=)

(except your living in Iran=P)