Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition

"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" is a patriotic song broadcast on Appalachia Radio in Fallout 76, written by Frank Loesser in 1942. The version used in Fallout 76 is a 1962 re-recording made by former band members of the Kay Kyser orchestra after he had retired from performing.

Background
Kay Kyser and his orchestra originally recorded their most famous version of "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" in 1942 for Columbia Records.

July 31, 1942

Session Personnel: Kay Kyser (director), Ish Kabibble (Merwyn Bogue, trumpet, vocals), Bobby Guy (trumpet), Bob Fleming (trumpet), Harry Thomas (trombone), Max Williams (trombone, vocals), Jack Martin (alto saxophone, vocals), Noni Bernardi (alto saxophone), Heinie Gunkler (clarinet), Herbie Haymer (tenor saxophone), Sully Mason (baritone saxophone, vocals), Lyman Gandee (piano), Roc Hillman (guitar), Don Whittaker (bass), Lloyd Snow (bass), Eddie Shea (drums), Harry Babbitt (vocals), Dorothy Dunn (vocals), Trudy Erwin (vocals), Julie Conway (vocals), George Duning (arranger) (Hollywood, California)
 * Released on Columbia Records. Characterized by having a drum roll at the beginning with occasional drum beats during the opening instrumental. The tambourine jangling is also somewhat muffled and often drowned out by the voices.

By 1950, Kyser had largely retired from show business. In the 60s, Capitol Records approached Kyser with an offer to re-record his hits in hi-fi and in stereo. He declined, but tacitly approved his other band members to record a new album and comedian Stan Freburg to imitate his voice on several of the tracks.

August 25, 1961

Session Personnel: Ish Kabibble (trumpet, vocals), Jack Martin (soprano sax, vocals), Harry Babbitt (lead vocals), Michael Douglas (vocals), Ginny Simms (vocals), Sully Mason (vocals), Trudy Irwin (vocals), Gloria Wood (vocals), Stan Freberg (narrator, select tracks), George Duning (arranger) (Hollywood, California)
 * Released on Capitol Records for the album Kay Kyser's Greatest Hits. Unlike the 1942 version, there is no drum roll or beat in the beginning instrumental. The tambourine jangling is also very loud and crisp. This is the version used in Fallout 76.

Of the credited personnel, Ish Kabibble, Martin, Mason, Babbitt, and Erwin were present at the original July 1942 session. Douglas, Simms, and Wood had previously sung in the Kay Kyser orchestra on different occasions. The Hair biography also mentions Billy May as the uncredited orchestra director. The rest of the uncredited orchestra personnel remain unidentified.

In an interview, the youngest son of vocalist Harry Babbitt, Chris Babbitt, recalled seeing more former members of Kay Kyser's orchestra at the Capitol recording sessions, but was too young to remember further names. The album was released in 1962 and subsequently reviewed in the April 14th issue of Billboard magazine as "a suitable memorial to one of the top names of the big band era".

Lyrics
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition And we'll all stay free

Praise the Lord and swing into position Can't afford to be a politician Praise the Lord, we're all between perdition And the deep blue sea

Yes the sky pilot said it Ya gotta give him credit For a sonofagun of a gunner was he

Shouting Praise the Lord, we're on a mighty mission All aboard, we're not a-goin' fishin' Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition And we'll all stay free

Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition And we'll all stay free

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition And we'll all stay free

Video
500px