Hey Captain Jack

Yes, yes, yes I already know… There is a bit of debate in the Cadence world on the history of “Captain Jack” and whether this is a Navy Cadence or an Army Cadence. Well, since a Captain in the Navy is the highest rank before Admiral, and the Navy has a bit more of a drinking culture (Hence “Whisky Jack” version) I decided to place this in the Navy Category. Feel free to drop a comment below if you think it should be switched to Army.

The other nice aspect of this marching cadence is that it can easily incorporate unit specific actions. Say you were in a supply unit then simply add “with that rubber stamp in my hand, I’m going to be a denying man” or signal unit ” with that radio in my hand, I’m going to be a communicating man”

Hey Hey Captain Jack (Marching Cadence)

Hey, Hey Captain Jack
Meet me down
by the railroad track
With a Bottle in your hand
I’m gonna be a drinking man

Chorus
A drinking man
The Best I can
For Uncle Sam

Hey, Hey Captain Jack
Meet me down
by the railroad track
With a K-bar in your hand
I’m gonna be a stabbing man

Chorus
A drinking man
A Stabbing Man
The Best I can
For Uncle Sam

Hey, hey Captain Jack
Meet me down by the railroad track
with a bible in your hand
I’m gonna be a preaching man

Chorus
A drinking man
A Stabbing Man
A preaching man
The Best I can
For Uncle Sam

Hey, hey captain Jack
Meet me down by the railroad track
with a lady in your hand
I’m gonna be a loving man

Chorus
A drinking man
A Stabbing Man
A preaching man
A Loving Man
The Best I can
For Uncle Sam

Hey, hey captain Jack
Meet me down by the rail road track
with a rifle in my hand
I’m gonna be a shoot n’ man

Chorus
A drinking man
A Stabbing man
A preaching man
A Loving man
A shooting man
The Best I can
For Uncle Sam

If you know of any additional verses to our friend Captain Jack please feel free to drop them in the comments and

I’ll be happy to include them on my next revision.

Hey Hey Captain Jack Cadence Quotes

“Cpt. Jack” is a name given to the renegade Modoc Indian leader who refused to stay on a reservation belonging to his age old rivals the Klamath tribes. instead he lead the US army on a wild chase through the lava bed wilderness near the California/Oregon boarder. I believe the cadence refers to his infamous ruse where he pledged to give up fighting at a railroad junction or station. however when he was met by the Army leadership, he promptly gunned them down. There is little written about him. Doris Palmer Payne published a book on him detailing the events leading to his ultimate demise. You can tour the lava beds where he hid out. it’s full of caves and ancient hieroglyphics – an interesting place and story.

Meinrad Kuettel