"A Company of Cowards"

Korean War Veterans Gang Up To Distance Themselves From the NRA

Folks,

Ever since I posted what I presumed was the Anthem of the National Rifle Association, I have been bombarded by complaints that by comparing Korean War veterans to the NRA, I have slandered and libeled the veterans. We don't do retractions very often here at Sipsey Street, but I hereby acknowledge that Bugout Boogie cannot possibly be the song of the NRA. This is for the simple fact unlike the NRA, the veterans who wrote and sang the original song had real enemies, deadly enemies, and faced them in real battle at risk to their lives. The only thing the NRA has ever risked is their shaky reputations.

Not only has the NRA risked nothing, but they face an enemy that not only is unarmed but is made up of "liberal pukes who couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag," in the words of a veteran.

Not wanting to offend veterans who have served their country admirably, I hereby withdraw my suggestion. However, just as I was being compelled to change my mind, my good friend John Russell offered the following substitute:

Dear Mike, in 1963 there was a light comedy titled "Advance to the Rear" starring Glen Ford and Stella Stevens. The plot essentially was the story of some Yankee misfits that were such an embarassment that they were sent West to keep them out of sight. Needless to say they end up redeeming themselves. The movie was the basis of the television series "F Troop" Part of the film score provided by The New Chistie minstrals was a little tune titled "A company of Cowards."

Company Of Cowards

As I was walkin' down the road, 'twas on one summer's day
What d'you suppose I chanced to see, goin' the other way?
Well I knew it weren't the Navy nor the whole McDougal clan
'Twas a company of cowards, I could tell by the way they ran

CHORUS:
Oh get around oh get around get around
Oh get around get away
'Tis a company of cowards
And they've come to save the day

You should've seen their uniforms, shabby as you please
Mighty shy of buttons, rather baggy at the knees
And such was their appearance, we laughed until we cried
It's a pity, Mr. Lincoln, they're not on the other side

CHORUS

I don't recall I ever heard that bugle sound retreat,
I could only hear the thunder of a hundred scamperin' feet.
It was forward into battle they came marching one by one
But I guess they thought it over, and they thought it best to run

CHORUS

All men who bear the saber share the scandal of that day
Napoleon would have died of shame to see them run away
Remember George at Valley Forge made the British boys behave
You can well imagine now he's rolling over in his grave

CHORUS

I can see how this might actually be a better song for the NRA than Bugout Boogie. Let's see how about:

As I was walkin' in D C, 'twas on a fine spring day
What d'you suppose I chanced to see, desp'rate to get away?
They tumbled out the Senate's doors, afraid to take a stand
'Twas a company of cowards, I could tell by how they ran

CHORUS:
Oh get around oh get around get around
Oh get around get away
'Tis a company of cowards
And they're called the N R A

You should've seen their fancy suits, as shiny as new glass
And when they passed E. Holder, they kissed him on the ass.
And such were their pretensions, we laughed until we cried
It's a pity, Mis-ter Obama, that they're not on your side.

CHORUS:
Oh get around oh get around get around
Oh get around get away
'Tis a company of cowards
And they're called the N R A