https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k_6_XZ1b4I

The Vera Lynn version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSMuTm649Hk

Colin.

Jim Hennessey sent me this a while back. Thought you guys would love it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Exf1NDWeY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6AM_RGc4vM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZmgtunVgJo

May 2014 - (placed his letter on the Letters page of the music site)

HELLO,

 

I WAS 6 YEARS OLD -PLAYING OUTSIDE WHEN ALL SORTS OF HORNS,WHISTLES, AND BELLS WERE GOING OFF!

 

I RAN INSIDE AND ASKED MY MOTHER WHAT WAS HAPPENING?

 

MOM SAID,"THE WAR IS OVER AND DADDY'S COMING HOME!"

 

My Dad had joined the Navy and was placed in the Sea Bees doing construction etc.

 

He didn't see fighting action but was a huge support,just as we were at home by saving tin foil and fat grease, and using our ration stamps-and sometimes having to darken every window in preparation of an attack!

 

I now have a huge collection of phonographs and play the 78 record's music of the 1900's up to 1948.

 

This is a wonderful web site-THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS!

 

Retired teacher and coach,

 

Mr. Lyn Levens

Hacienda Heights, Calif.

We have corresponded a few times since our initial email and he would like for me to place this here too. If anyone is interested in contacting him regarding old phonographs, etc., please let me know and I will forward your correspondence to him. Here's his latest letter.

Marion,

 

I was very surprised,but so pleased to have my WW II memory posted on your web site.

 

I am constantly listening to the music of that era on my collection of vintage phonographs.

 

I would guess that many of your contributors remember listening to music on cylinders and records on

 

Grandma's crank up "Talking machine" back in the 20's,30's, and 40's!

 

I would love to chat with anyone who remembers the Edison and Victor phonographs.

 

Perhaps some would like to find a good home for that phonograph that is just

 

sitting in their parlor or attic-or they are looking to relive some of those days by locating

 

a playable antique phonograph to have and play for their grandkids?

 

Please add this "additional note" to my posted letter so we may be able to contact

 

phonograph enthusiast.

 

Kind regards,

 

Mr. Lyn Levens

Hacienda Heights, Calif.

Dear Marion,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year..... After receiving your Christmas email, I got checking the "jukebox" looking to see if the songs I sent to you made it to the collection. I didn't see them. So I checked my "sent" email folder and much to my surprise that email was not there. I guess I goofed when sending the list to you. Let me try again.

There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere Jimmy Wakely DECCA-6059

Bell Bottom Trousers Kay Kyser And His Orchestra COLUMBIA-36801

A Slip Of The Lip Duke Ellington And His Famous Orchestra Feat. Ray Nance Victor-1528

I Wish That I Could Hide Inside This Letter Lawrence Welk And His Orchestra Decca-4428

G.I. Stomp COUNT BASIE & HIS ORCH V-DISC -034

The Squadron Song Captain Glenn Miller and the AAFTC Orchestra V-Disc-144-A God Bless.

Ed Alleger Volunteer National Military History Center Auburn, IN

Marion's Note: I got everything on your list, but the Star-Spangle song and I Wish song I have, are by a different artists.

Hello Marion,

Your site is always fabulous. I have a request. The Pathfinder Richardson, 508PIR, told that he had a Tommy Dorsey's song in mind when he bailed out of the plan, 6 june 44 morning. The title was: "What is this thing called love". I would like to hear it on your Jukebox, if you find it. Thank you in advance. Merry Christmas and Happy new year, a great 2014 year for you and yours.

Joel Baret

Marion's Note: Happy to comply. Greetings to Europe!

Performed by Betty Bonney & Les Brown

Recorded October 15, 1941

Written by Redd Evans

From coast to coast in this great nation

Each man has got a classification.

I've got a guy who's really something

This man of mine, he ain't missin' nothin'.

No wonder I'm happy to say:

Chorus

He's 1-A in the army and he's A-1 in my heart,

He's gone to help the country that helped him to get a start.

I love him so because I know he wants to do his part,

For he's 1-A in the army and he's A-1 in my heart.

And just in case you're quizzical,

I'm gonna tell you now,

He passed the toughest physical--

He passed it, folks, and how!

For I know why he rates so high on Uncle Sammy's chart,

'Cause he's 1-A in the army and he's A-1 in my heart.

From coast to coast in this great nation,

Each man has got a classification.

Now I've got a guy who never liked to fight,

But for Uncle Sam he'll fight all right.

 

Just learned of your site tonight, I think that I have spent $25 in nickels already. I found you by searching for "Choc'lot Solders from the USA", a very popular tune when we landed in England in 1944. Any clues where I can find it? Thanks. Nav Fosse, US army retired some 100 years ago (it seems)

 

 

So got to looking around and found the lyrics:

Chocolate drop, always fast asleep

Dozin in his cosy bed

Chocolate drop has got no time for sleep

He's riding in a jeep instead

They used to call in lazy bones in Harlem

Lazy good for nothing all the day

But now they're mighty proud of him in Harlem

Chocolate soldier from the USA.

They used to call him just a chocolate dreamer

Until the day he heard the bugle play

They made a coloured Doughboy out of dreamer

Chocolate soldier from the USA.

Never in the school room

Always in the pool room

For a nickel or a dime he'd croon

His idea of heaven

Was seven come eleven

And dancing every evening neath the yellow Harlem moon

He used to get a scolding from his mammy

But now you'll hear his mammy proudly say

He's somewhere over there for Uncle Sammy

Chocolate Soldier from the USA.

I did locate the MP3 on the UK version of Amazon and have asked Colin if he would download it for me, for I can't purchase it directly with my US account. Can't wait to get a copy and share it with Nav. Of course will add it to our jukebox too. Oh the song is done by Lou Preager and His Orchestra.

I actually found a copy on some other sites, but you have to join, and I do not feel comfortable doing so anymore, due to "cookies" they place on your computer and the privacy issue, etc. I'd rather stick with Amazon.