What Role Did Chanting Play in the Rough Riders' Motivation for War?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the role of chanting in the motivation of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, with references to historical chants and their impact on morale. It includes comparisons to similar chants from ancient Roman soldiers and explores the cultural significance of these expressions in military contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares a poetic chant attributed to the Rough Riders, suggesting it reflects their eagerness for battle.
  • Another participant draws a parallel to a chant from Caesar's soldiers, indicating a historical continuity in the use of chants for motivation.
  • A request is made for the original Latin of the Roman chant, highlighting the interest in historical accuracy and scholarly contributions.
  • One participant humorously acknowledges the potential exaggeration in the Roman chant, suggesting a playful approach to the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express interest in the topic and share related historical references, but there is no consensus on the significance or interpretation of the chants discussed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific historical figures and events but does not resolve the accuracy or implications of the chants mentioned.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in military history, cultural studies, or the role of morale in warfare may find this discussion relevant.

marcus
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Today my wife happened to find this sublime bit of poetry in an old New Yorker, page 79 of the 7 June 2010 issue:

"Before embarking for Cuba, in 1898, the Rough Riders, led by Theodore Roosevelt, chanted

Rough tough, we're the stuff.
We want to fight, and we can't get enough.
Whoopee!.

...William Randolf Hearst..., to witness the war he had helped instigate, traveled on a steamship with two chorus girls dressed as sailors."

The source is a book called The War Lovers, by Evan Thomas.
 
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Sounds a bit like one of the chants Caesar's soldiers made during his triumphal procession:
"Our general may be bald, but he F*CKS everything that MOOOVES!"
 
arildno said:
Sounds a bit like one of the chants Caesar's soldiers made during his triumphal procession:
"Our general may be bald, but he F*CKS everything that MOOOVES!"

How does one follow this post?:-p
 
WhoWee said:
How does one follow this post?:-p

One asks Arlldno politely to give us the Latin. He is a scholar and will know the exact words chanted by the said Legions.

Arildno, I believe this illustrates what the French call morale. Please give us the original Latin!
 
Last edited:
marcus said:
One asks Arlldno politely to give us the Latin. He is a scholar and will know the exact words chanted by the said Legions.

Arildno, I believe this illustrates what the French call morale. Please give us the original Latin!
:shy::blushing::redface:
 
Well I certainly wouldn't put it past them. :biggrin:

Si non è vero, almeno è ben trovato.