ISLE OF BATAAN

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“Isle of Bataan” appeared in the Bataan Relief Organization’s National “Bulletin”, Vol. II No. 9, December 30, 1944 with an expression of gratitude “to the 200th Club (BRO) of Artesia, N. M., for this beautiful composition written by a member of their group” and a note that the song was to be sung to the tune of the “Isle of Capree”.

Tune believed to be “Isle of Capri”, known even before Wingy Manone's 1934 hit recording, and recorded by many Jazz and orchestral groups and by popular artists such as Frank Sinatra.

Listen to the Wingy Manone And His Orchestra version, or to Tommy Edwards.

Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico — American Indian mother lights candle for her son in service.

Bataan Relief Organization >>

On Luzon Island near Ma-nila—a Bay,
are the Boys from the U. S. A.
They fought and lost,
They had no other choice.
Waiting to start home
Date was set to sail—
When dark war clouds rained steel like hail
That changed it all, and
We are left to recall—

Refrain:

’Twas on the Island
at Bataan they were fight-ing,
Ov-er Lu-zon foreign
Planes were fly-ing
And they were outnumbered
ten to one—
As they fought on the
Isle of Bataan.

They prayed for help as they
arose at each dawning,
But some lone fate hadn’t meant it to be
And when they could hold it no longer,
They went down fighting for Vic-to-ry.

Now for them the Battle is over,
They have reached the end it seems—
Merciful God over them hover,
Tell them of our Love in their dreams
Tell them that America is still fighting
For their deliverance from the Japs’ hands
Help them keep faith in the Flag of their Country,
As they wait on the Isle of Bataan.