Cadence calls, or “jody calls,” have long been a staple of American military training. Used to relieve the monotony of the grueling double-time marching cadence, they have historically ranged from inspirational to bawdy.

Basically following an eight count cadence, and a call-and-response format, one well-known version goes:

“I don’t know, but I’ve been told,
Captain’s heart is mighty cold.
Sound off, 1, 2
Sound off 3,4
1,2,3,4 . . . One, two . . . three – four!”

Sometimes, Jody himself takes on legendary qualities:

“Ain’t no use in goin’ home
Jody’s got your girl and gone!
Sound off, 1, 2
Sound off, 3,4,
1,2,3,4 . . . One two . . . three – four!”

“Ain’t no use in feelin’ blue,
Jody’s got your sister, too!
Sound off –
etc.

We at T Ching thought it might be amusing to write a jody call for tea . . .

“Momma, momma, can’t you see?
Army needs some loose leaf tea!
Sound off, 1, 2
Sound off, 3,4,
1,2,3,4 . . . One two . . . three – four!”

“I could use a cup right now -
Then call me in to get some chow!”
Sound off, 1, 2
Sound off, 3,4,
1,2,3,4 . . . One two . . . three – four!”

After chow, let’s brew a pot
Army tea’s the best we got
Sound off, 1, 2
Sound off, 3,4,
1,2,3,4 . . . One two . . . three – four!”

Please submit your own jody tea call in the comments section!

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