Inscription of a jacket from Billy Bolseworth, Oki 3rd Marine Division Band in the early 1970's. Only 4 were made...

As I point out, every band I served in, this would apply to all.

Some new lyrics written by the one and only John the 'laskin AKA Norde (Only us that were there would understand it's meaning. Enjoy Brothers):

SIXTEEN BARS
Nordy – October, 2009

I……… was snorin’ one morning when the sun wouldn’t shine
Woke up to my Bunkie as he’s startin’ to whine.
Startin’ to whine and with his old drum roll
‘cause he’s the straw boss man… the duty N. C. O.

He says “It’s all right, Gents, git ya outa them racks
Jus’ pick up yer socks and fill them… laundry sacks.
Shine them shoes... ya better spit on that brass
Or ol’ Top Man Gus is gonna kick yore ass”!

Chorus:
Ya play them sixteen bars… whaddya get?
Another day shorter and salty, you bet.
Sixteen bars of the that old British Eighth
And the Top Man Gus says “Boys, ya jus’ don’t rate”!

So it’s off to the showers with them…other guys
Hot, soapy water and with tears in our eyes.
Tears in our eyes that even Mama cain’t sway
‘cause the straw boss says it’s time to… field day!

Hadako and Tosh have got their… music on
And laughin’ at the boys who wander by with a yawn.
Square away the squad bay you’d better swab that deck
Or the Gunny’s gonna get a piece of your pay check!

Chorus:

Last nite I went to Koza when I shoulda stayed home
The Green Glass was callin’ me with Orion foam.
Orion foam and girls… I’m such a stupid lad…
Lord, what was I thinkin’ when I hailed that cab?

We went down to the mess hall, my buddies and me
Gonna get me some chow maybe set my brain free?
A little coffee for my mind and pray the rain gods won
Knowin’ Top would make me pay as soon colors was done!

Chorus:

I got squared away for colors then I walked to the Pub
Double checked my music and my day’s nearly done.
But, wait, instead of slackin’ playin’ cards in my room...
We’re playing another concert and it’s startin’ at noon!

I am the duty driver so there’s no slackin’ for me
I pick up the van and check the gas and go pee.
Drive the boys to the helo pad and then I go for a ride
Hoping the ship’s on time on the incoming tide!

Chorus:

Now my day is over and I see light at the end
My lonely walk is finished, my tired butt on the mend.
Get into my civvies and go to chow or the club…
I might even shoot some pool over at the Pub?

The years have gone quickly now it’s my brothers I seek
So we can swap our stories… laugh, remember those weeks.
That’s the way we did it back on Oki you see
When we worked at playin’ music in the 3rd Divvy!

Chorus:

3rd Marine Division Bando Boy Brothers (and the rest of you idiots, too),

I didn’t have a sheet of music or the words to Sixteen Tons by the great Tennessee Ernie Ford to go by so please forgive this feeble attempt?! I was out havin’ a smoke about 8:30 tonight and (somewhat bored) got this idea?! Just for shits and giggles! It’s now about 11 and time for bed so I put digit (singular) to rest. Maybe I’ll get bored again and do one for the Parris Island and El Toro bando boys, too, some day? Who knows?

We had some good times and we had no idea, at the time, how our day in and day out bullshit would evolve into the legacy we all share with one another?! It’s so much fun BS’ing with you guys now it’s not funny! Whether you like this, or not, is not important to me! What IS important to me is that I have the memories of you guys and the times we bitched and moaned and pissed each other off and then laughed at nothing…just because we could! It gives me the stuff those less fortunate than me do not, nor ever will, have to remember! And it makes me smile in my heart!!!

Semper Fi, Genks

Nordy