During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Miller managed to earn a living working as a freelance trombonist in several bands. His first band was formed in 1937 but failed to distinguish itself and eventually broke up.
Following the break-up of his first band, Miller realized that he needed to develop a unique sound, and decided to make the clarinet play a melodic line with a tenor saxophone on the same note, while three other saxophones harmonized. With this sound combination, the Miller band that became the most popular was born in 1938. After a shaky start, it made his new band a nationwide hit.
In 1942, Miller joined the United States Army Air Forces where he continued his musical career with the Army Air Force Band.
On December 15, 1944, Miller was to fly from the United Kingdom to Paris, France, to play for the soldiers who had recently liberated Paris. His plane departed from RAF Twinwood Farm in Clapham, Bedfordshire and disappeared while flying over the English Channel. No trace of the aircrew, passengers or plane has ever been found. Miller's status is missing in action.
His music is still iconic of the time period in which he lived and continues to draw thousands of fans of all age groups.
Glenn Miller was a popular visitor to Bedford and its American Air force bases. He is still remembered to this day by the people of Bedford with a bronze bust displayed on the front of the towns Corn Exchange, and more recently, what remains of the Twinwoods Airfield being renovated as a Glenn Miller Museum and outdoor event site
2) Glenn Miller was a Jamaican reggae and soul artist of the 1960's.
Along with other legendary artists such as Bob Marley & the Wailers and Desmond Dekker he recorded for the Trojan record label.
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Glenn Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Hurrah! Hurrah!
To welcome home our darling boy,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The village lads and lassies say
With roses they will strew the way,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Get ready for the Jubilee,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give the hero three times three,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The laurel wreath is ready now
To place upon his loyal brow
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Let love and friendship on that day,
Hurrah, hurrah!
Their choicest pleasures then display,
Hurrah, hurrah!
And let each one perform some part,
To fill with joy the warrior's heart,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
The song When Johnny Comes Marching Home is a popular tune that celebrates the return of a soldier from war or battle, specifically a Civil War soldier. The upbeat and lively composition inspires listeners to feel the same level of excitement and joy as the community does when they welcome a soldier back home. The song begins with a chorus of Hurrah's, which signify the excitement and anticipation associated with a homecoming. The lyrics add to the celebratory mood, as they describe the actions that will take place when Johnny returns.
The song paints a picture of a joyful and lively town, as the men cheer and the boys shout, eagerly waiting for the soldier to arrive. The ladies, who stand out in the lyrics, will all turn out to give Johnny a warm welcome, and the old church bell will peal with joy. The second verse, with "village lads and lassies" strewn with roses, depicts a scene of jubilation and love, and the refrain "we'll all feel gay" emphasizes the universal happiness and merriment that everyone feels when a loved one returns from war.
The last verse calls for everyone to participate in the homecoming celebration, displaying love, friendship, and their choicest pleasures to fill the warrior's heart with joy. The words "let love and friendship on that day" suggest that this event is an opportunity to show gratitude and appreciation for the soldier's service, and to celebrate the shared bonds that exist between individuals and the community at large. Overall, When Johnny Comes Marching Home is a simple yet powerful song that conveys the sentiment of hope, love, and reunion that a soldier's return from war represents.
Line by Line Meaning
When Johnny comes marching home again
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We will celebrate when Johnny returns from battle, cheering and exclaiming with two hurras.
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We will give Johnny a warm welcome home with two hurras.
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
The men and boys will make noise while the ladies will show up and we will all be happy when Johnny comes home.
The old church bell will peal with joy
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The old church bell will ring loudly in happiness with two hurras.
To welcome home our darling boy,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The church bell will ring to welcome home Johnny with two hurras.
The village lads and lassies say
With roses they will strew the way,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
The young people of the village say they will put roses on Johnny's path and we will all be happy when he returns.
Get ready for the Jubilee,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We must prepare for the celebration with two hurras.
We'll give the hero three times three,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We will give the hero, Johnny, nine cheers with two hurras.
The laurel wreath is ready now
To place upon his loyal brow
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
A crown made of laurel leaves is ready to be placed on Johnny's head as a symbol of his loyalty and we will all be happy when he comes home.
Let love and friendship on that day,
Hurrah, hurrah!
Their choicest pleasures then display,
Hurrah, hurrah!
On that day, let love and friendship be shown with their best actions and two hurras.
And let each one perform some part,
To fill with joy the warrior's heart,
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.
Let everyone do something to make Johnny, the warrior, happy and we will all be happy when he comes home.
Writer(s): Glenn Miller, Harold H.Dickinson Jr, Bill Conway, William J. Finegan
Contributed by Savannah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chris
I always think of soldiers going off to war against the Nazis and the Japanese when I hear this version. It’s really a sobering, melancholy song.
ThomasJLarsen
Glenn Miller had the best arrangers in the business.
An art form that is totally extinguished today.
hubert sumlin
You're so right, a dying or dead art. Fletcher Henderson, Pee Wee Ellis, Sonny Thompson, Dave Bartholomew...we'll not see their likes again
Swingman 56
@hubert sumlin Sy Oliver needs to be included,but then,so many more,as well.
Trombonology Erstwhile
The treatment my fifth grade class made of this one, forty-three years ago, sure didn't cook like the Miller band's! Bill Finegan's militaristically grooving chart and Modernaires Conway & Dickinson's jivin' lyrics move the patriotic song up from its publishing date of 1863 to the heart of WWII and the Swing Era. Tex, Marion and The Mods are at their rousing best!
JOSE LUIS CERON NARVAEZ
Gran música.....un Placer escucharla en este 2020👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎷
41vi435ron
Oye mi apellido tambien en ceron
Walrusgaming
The amount of views on this shows how much older, better music is being forgotten
Tim Blessing
That pyramid that comes right as the vocal is ending . . . good lord Finnegan could write.
41vi435ron
ufff me encanta escuchar esta cansion es una de las que mas me gusta :D
VIVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA CHILE