Tun Tavern Toast: A Rousing Marine Corps Drinking Song

Yessiree, as this rousing drinking song faithfully captures, the U.S. Marine Corps was born in a bar… and the Marines are justly proud of it. This happened when the Continental Congress officially established the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775, along the waterfront in Philadelphia. On that historic day, the first commissioned officer became Captain Samuel Nicholas (widely revered as the first traditional Commandant of the Marine Corps), as he set up headquarters at a popular waterfront watering hole called Tun Tavern. The tavern proprietor, Robert Mullan, was officially appointed as the first Marine recruiter, and the first recruits were signed up right there over mugs of free beer. To this day, the legend of being "born in a bar" is a highly celebrated part of U.S. Marine Corps lore, and even the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia, features a Tun Tavern in honor of the site where The Corps began. This fun drinking song celebrates those handful of the first brave few and all those who have followed in their bootsteps. Lift one high… Here's to the U.S. Marines! TUN TAVERN TOAST (A ROUSING MARINE CORPS DRINKING SONG) (Song Lyrics, Music and Arrangement by Dr. Donny "Rocker" Deever) [Intro] Drum taps twice and the fife pipes clear, “Step right in, boys, The Corps is here!” Raise that glass, give the table a jar— The Marines were born in a bar! [Verse 1] Before July had signed her name, before the fireworks, flags, and fame, a wharf on Philly's riverside saw Tun Tavern doors swinging wide. Nicholas said, “We need a few,” Mullan grinned, “I know what to do.” A drum and fife went down the pier: “Serve your country— free beer here!” [Pre-Chorus] Some came ready, some came near, some came mostly for the beer. But by last call, straight and hard, The Corps was there standing guard! [Chorus] Raise a Tun Tavern toast, to The Corps with esprit the most! Born in a bar? We’re not bothered… At least we know where we were fathered. First on the beach, first in the bar, first off the deck, wherever we are. Leathernecks, lift ’em high— Ooo-raw, boys, and Semper Fi! [Verse 2] They said, “Who wants glory, smoke, and spray? Who wants danger with terrible pay?” One man asked, “Is the beer still free?” They said, “Sign here, son, then we’ll see.” From tavern floor to shipboard rail, they learned to shoot, salute, and sail. A pint in hand, a fire inside, the few marched out to the nation’s pride. [Pre-Chorus] No fancy palace, no marble hall, just wooden beams and a recruiter’s call. If the Army asks where the Marines began, point to the bar where the beer taps ran. [Chorus] Raise a Tun Tavern toast, to The Corps with esprit the most! Born in a bar? We’re not bothered… At least we know where we were fathered. First on the beach, first in the bar, first off the deck, wherever we are. Leathernecks, lift ’em high— Ooo-raw, boys, and Semper Fi! [Toast Verse] A toast to those who never boast— Well, maybe once when there’s a toast. A toast to those who never quit, Who stay lean, mean, and fit. A toast to the ones you’ll never find leaving a brother or sister behind. A toast to those who still defend… Marines to the very end! [Verse 3] Now “Leatherneck” came from a collar tight, holding chins up proud and right. Some say it guarded throats from knives of foreign foes and sober wives. Either way, the name stuck fast, from wooden ships to bugle blasts. A stiff-necked breed with a stubborn grin, born to fight and born to win. [Bridge] November tenth, remember the date, Seventeen seventy-five opened the gate. Eight months before the Fourth came through, The Corps was already looking for a few. So lift one high for the old recruits, for buckled collars and muddy boots. For every Marine, both near and far, who proudly says, “We were born in a bar!” [Breakdown] Sound off! Tun! Sound off! Tavern! Sound off! Tun Tavern toast! Who’s got the spirit? We do! Who’s got the most? The Corps! Who was born in a bar? Marines! Who keeps coming back for more? [Final Chorus] Raise a Tun Tavern toast, to The Corps with esprit the most! Born in a bar? We’re not bothered… At least we know where we were fathered. First on the beach, first in the bar, first off the deck, wherever we are. Leathernecks, lift ’em high— Ooo-raw, boys, and Semper Fi! [Outro] So here’s to the few, the proud, the loud, the tavern-born and battle-proud. Raise that glass, give the table a jar— The Marines were born in a bar! Tun Tavern toast! Semper Fi! AMERICA 250 BAND Produced by ‪@America250Band‬ as our forty-fourth lyric video. Stay tuned for many more soon-coming classic American patriotic songs in HD and 4K audio, lyric video, and music video formats. So be sure to encourage us to keep producing more songs by subscribing and giving us a thumbs up. Thank you & God bless America!