Fiddler's Green

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:17:21 -0400

Do you know this poem? Does it mean anything to you?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 8:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:32:19 -0400

Indeed. Everyone in my Cav unit had this memorized.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jul 30 at 2014 8:47 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:47:25 -0400

I hadn't thought of it for a long time, but yes... I know it well, although I never had the privilege of serving with the Cavalry.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 9:35 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:35:41 -0400

Cav a nice day.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2014 9:39 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:39:12 -0400

Don't know, Erin. What is it?

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 30 at 2014 9:57 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:57:27 -0400

Med Troop/SPT SQD/3ACR '01-'04

Every Trooper knows about Fiddler's Green....!

Brave Rifles!

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jul 30 at 2014 10:48 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:48:57 -0400

It is not just the Army that uses Fiddler's Green as a place of rest and renewal. Navy has also used Fiddler's Green as a final place to meet old Shipmates and renew friendships. A place where drinks and camaraderie are abundant.

All Good Sailors know that Fiddlers Green is where we go to get our rewards at the end or our final enlistment on earth. Fiddler's Green appears in Frederick Marryat's novel The Dog Fiend; Or, Snarleyyow, published in 1856, as lyrics to a Sailor's song:

At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true
When here they’ve done their duty
The bowl of grog shall still renew
And pledge to love and beauty.

Fiddler's Green is the name of the Club in the Sailors Home in Biloxi, MS, U.S. Navy's enlisted men's club in Sasebo, Japan from 1952 to 1976, The enlisted men's club at Bainbridge Naval Training Center and even a few Chief's Clubs I have frequented.

Response by SFC Michael Hartwig made Jul 31 at 2014 1:38 AM

SFC Michael Hartwig — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 01:38:15 -0400

Tiger Squadron Al Qaim 2003 working with Bandit and Apache Troops. Tired bastards were run ragged and we took over the menial Forcepro, QRF and detainee ops so they could get some much needed rest before their missions. We worked 20 hour days with them. COL Dolan you were an awesome CDR!! AI-EE-YAH!!!

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Jul 31 at 2014 12:46 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:46:21 -0400

The Cavalrymen's Poem

Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.

Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.

And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.Author Unknown..Or youll be drinking Grog for a mighty long time Shave Tail..

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Jul 31 at 2014 12:47 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:47:46 -0400

Fiddler's Green is a legendary supposed afterlife, where there is perpetual mirth, a fiddle that never stops playing, and dancers who never tire. Its origins are obscure, although some point to the Greek myth of the Elysian Fields as a potential inspiration.

Response by SPC David S. made Jul 31 at 2014 1:34 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:34:17 -0400

As a CAV Scout it has a lot of meaning. For me It's a poem for all military that some how found their way there not just cavarly. We're just the ones that dismount and kick back a few. SCOUTS OUT!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 11:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:13:15 -0400

There's only one Fiddler's Green, and it's the resting place of the Cavalry Troopers. Garryowen

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 27 at 2014 3:32 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 03:32:25 -0400

It means everything to me. I've been ground cav, armored cav, and air cav. I see the world in red and white. SGT Private RallyPoint Member You just went up a bunch of pegs in my book. Please look for my invite tomorrow when I get resupplied. Thank you for mentioning Fiddler's Green. I have a bunch of friends waiting for me there. I owe you a BIG thumbs up as well!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2014 9:52 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 09:52:04 -0400

With my father's 27+ years as a Trooper (Vietnam Cobra Pilot, 1st CAV Division, and two Division Cavalry Squadrons) and my 21+ years, and counting, as a Bradly, Abrams, Mortar, and HMMWV mounted Armor Cavalryman, Fiddler's Green has been in my blood for a very long time!

Cavalry is not a Branch, it is a State of Mind!

Response by SFC William Trent made Aug 27 at 2014 9:35 PM

SFC William Trent — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 21:35:42 -0400

Garryowen

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2014 10:15 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 22:15:40 -0400

Never heard of her

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2014 10:41 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 22:41:39 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I came across your post for the 1st time tonight. Great Question and thoroughly enjoyed reading the entire discussion. Being an old"er" Cav Troop, know it well! You're tops in my book! Thanks!

Response by SPC Richard White made Aug 29 at 2014 3:59 AM

SPC Richard White — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 03:59:25 -0400

I have this print from Jody Harmon.The second picture is one that the group I belong to uses.Yes, it means something one day we will all meet up again and share camaraderie.All Cav and tankers know about Fiddler's Green.

Response by SPC Ben Ruffolo made Sep 18 at 2016 6:57 PM

SPC Ben Ruffolo — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 18:57:56 -0400

While I was at Fort Hood, 1958 to 1960 I was in the III Corps until it was disbanded. The barracks sargeant won a prize for naming the recreation facility Fiddlers Green.