He was the son of pharmacists Paul Bynum Kyser and Emily Royster Howell Kyser, and a cousin of Vermont C. Royster. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, his campus popularity and enthusiasm as a cheerleader caused him to be invited to join a commercial band being formed by other students. Although he started clarinet lessons, he was better as an entertaining announcer for the band than as a musician. He adopted the initial of his middle name as part of his stage name, for its alliterative effect.
Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition!
Kay Kyser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down went the gunner, and then the gunner's mate
Up jumped the sky pilot, gave the boys a look
And manned the gun himself as he laid aside The Book, shouting
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and swing into position
Can't afford to be a politician
Praise the Lord, we're all between perdition
And the deep blue sea
Yes the sky pilot said it
Ya gotta give him credit
For a son of a gun of a gunner was he shouting
Praise the Lord, we're on a mighty mission
All aboard, we ain't a-goin' fishin'
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
Kay Kyser's song "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" was released in 1942, during the height of World War II. The opening lyrics of the song describe a scene of gunfire and chaos, in which the gunner and his mate are shot down. In this moment of crisis, a "sky pilot" (military slang for a chaplain) jumps in to take their place, setting aside his Bible and manning the gun himself. The refrain of the song is a call to action, encouraging those fighting in the war to both praise the Lord and stay armed.
The song can be interpreted as a statement on the tension between faith and warfare. Although the sky pilot is a religious figure, he is also willing to use violence to defend his country. The lyrics suggest that in wartime, even a man of God must set aside his religious ideals and take up arms. Additionally, the line "we're all between perdition and the deep blue sea" implies that the soldiers fighting in the war have little choice but to do so. They are caught between certain destruction and the metaphorical "deep blue sea," meaning they must fight to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Down went the gunner, a bullet was his fate
The gunner was shot down and killed by the enemy
Down went the gunner, and then the gunner's mate
The gunner's mate was also killed by the enemy
Up jumped the sky pilot, gave the boys a look
The chaplain quickly took action and gave the soldiers a stern look
And manned the gun himself as he laid aside The Book, shouting
The chaplain left his religious duties and took over the gun while shouting
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Continue fighting for God and country by supplying ammunition to the soldiers
Praise the Lord and swing into position
Get ready for action and move quickly into position
Can't afford to be a politician
There is no time for politics or petty arguments right now
Praise the Lord, we're all between perdition and the deep blue sea
We are in a difficult and dangerous situation and need to rely on our faith and skills to survive
Yes the sky pilot said it
Even the chaplain is involved in the fighting
Ya gotta give him credit
He deserves praise for his bravery
For a son of a gun of a gunner was he shouting
The chaplain was shouting as loudly as any soldier
Praise the Lord, we're on a mighty mission
We have an important and honorable mission to accomplish
All aboard, we ain't a-goin' fishin'
We are not going on a peaceful or relaxing trip, but rather on a dangerous and difficult mission
And we'll all stay free
Our sacrifices and efforts will ensure our freedom
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beyondobscure
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
Praise the Lord and swing into position
Can't afford to be a politician
Praise the Lord, we're all between perdition
And the deep blue sea
Yes the sky pilot said it
Ya gotta give him credit
For a sonofagun of a gunner was he
Shouting Praise the Lord, we're on a mighty mission
All aboard, we ain't a-goin' fishin'
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
@willymags123
Thank you for these wonderful forgotten classics. To them, it was just music but to us in this generation it's music to be cherished and treasured.
@the78prof72
You're very welcome...glad that you're enjoying the presentation.
@bigcat7508
As I'm a mid-teenager who once was into 80s then 70s and now 60s music, I must thank you too.
@user-yp4bh8kw6f
Bullshit! It wasn't just music to them, but a rallying cry. "Nuclear disarmament " is the cry of THIS generation.
@user-yp4bh8kw6f
@@bigcat7508....hey youngster, this is from the '40's. 1942 to be exact.
@morgprudn8395
Usually I hate this kind of thing but damn dose this slap
@talosheeg
The unofficial American anthem
@Retopumoc
This should be at LEAST the American Military Anthem
@terrybox2
Sadly, yes.
@MapleMan1984
@@terrybox2 Sadly, not.