"Hitch in Hell" - Poem by Grant N. Gilray

HITCH IN HELL


Down on the sun-baked isthmus where a man can raise a thirst,
live the victims of civilization, Foreign service at it's worst.

I joined up in this man's army, Took the oath we know so well,
and got aboard the Leonard Wood, a ship right out of hell.

We sailed the seas for seven days, and finally sighted land.
T'was just a line of palm trees standing stately in the sand.

That day we docked in Colon, and I heard a dogface yell...
"Get on down the gangplank, man, This here's your hitch in hell!"

Since I came on down to Panama, It seems like a hundred years
Since I checked in at Davis and joined the Jungleers.

Now I'm sittin' here and thinkin' of the things that are behind,
and cannot be put on paper What is running through my mind!

But there is one consolation, Listen closely while I tell
that I know I'll get to Heaven, 'cause I've done my hitch in Hell!

I built a thousand "wickies", better beds cannot be found,
But I never got a wink of sleep that high up off the ground.

I sprigged 9 miles of gramma grass for the Colonel's new golf course,
and hiked across the isthmus While the Colonel rode his horse.

I stood guard at San Lorenzo and on the S.S. United States,
so when I get to Heaven I want to guard the Pearly Gates.

I saluted all the officers, the mean ones and the best,
And a couple of old soldiers with that "Big Medal" on their chest.

I was harassed by Second Looies, who didn't know the score,
And a big old red-haired officer, Who's name was Captain Moore.

When the final taps are sounded, and I put aside my cares,
I'll stand my last inspection on those shiny golden stairs.

And all the crazy duties that I recall so well,
I won't have to do in Heaven Cause I've done my hitch in hell!

I'll step up to those pearly gates, present arms, and ring the bell,
then march right in among the saints, They'll know I came from hell!

When the Big Man calls  "Front and Center" I'll step out proud and yell...
I don't have to stand parades, I've done my hitch in hell!

Poem written by Grant N. Gilray on Service in the Panama Canal Zone.  From September, 1939, through the war years, Mr. Gilray was a part of the "Massive Transit Guard" in which he provided security with the 14th Infantry on over 350 ships going through the canal.

Thanks to Terry Bender, 1/14th Inf, for making this document available and for his dedicated efforts to preserve the history of the 14th Infantry Regiment.



1939  "Hitch in Hell" - Poem by Grant N. Gilray
Copyright © 2012  14th Infantry Regiment Association
Last modified: November 01, 2012