Sergeant York Quotes

Sergeant: Where did ya learn to shoot York?

Alvin: Well I ain't never *learned* Sergeant! Folks back home used to say I could shoot a rifle before I was *weaned*, but they was exaggeratin' some.

[everybody laughs]

Alvin: Well I'm as much agin' killin' as ever, sir. But it was this way, Colonel. When I started out, I felt just like you said, but when I hear them machine guns a-goin', and all them fellas are droppin' around me... I figured them guns was killin' hundreds, maybe thousands, and there weren't nothin' anybody could do, but to stop them guns. And that's what I done.

Maj. Buxton: Do you mean to tell me that you did it to save lives?

Alvin: Yes sir, that was why.

Maj. Buxton: [amazed] Well, York, what you've just told me is the most extraordinary thing of all!

Rosie York: Ma, what're they fighin' for over there?

Mother York: Don't rightly know, Child. Don't rightly know.

Drummer: [remarking on the area's isolation] What I'd like to know is, how do you fellows get into this valley?

Zeke: We was born here!

Pastor Rosier Pile: See that rock, Alvin? You've been plowin' around that rock a heap o' years.

Alvin: Sure have!

Pastor Rosier Pile: Did you ever think when you start plowin' yer furrows crooked, it's mighty hard to get 'em straight again?

Alvin: I never thought on it much.

Pastor Rosier Pile: It's that-a-way, I reckon, with other things 'sides plowin'. Satan's got ya by the shirt tail, Alvin!

[Alvin puts a handful of dirt onto a plate at the table and pushes it toward his mother]

Mother York: That there's bottom land soil, ain't it? Queer how the folks on the bottom looks down on the folks on the top. It was always that way. No changin' it!

Alvin: I'm gonna *get* us a piece of bottom land!

Mother York: Your pa set out to get a piece of bottom land once. Nary a man ever tried any harder! Liked to *kill* hisself tryin'!

Pastor Rosier Pile: War's way to the other side of the ocean, Alvin. Lots of things can happen before you get there. You put your trust in the Lord, and He'll look out for you.

Alvin: I done forgot the Lord! I ain't never gonna forget him again!

'Pusher' Ross: Five'll get you ten that guy knocks off your whole sauerkraut army!

German Major: There are twenty five machine guns on that ridge. Tell him it's useless.

'Pusher' Ross: What did you say?

German Major: I said tell him it's useless!

'Pusher' Ross: Well, you tell 'im. You talk better English than I do!

Sergeant: I'm a-knowing where there's a piece of bottom land to be had, and I'm a-going to get it.

Mother York: [impressed by his determination] Maybe you will...

'Pusher' Ross: An' you haven't even seen a subway?

Alvin: I ain't never even heerd o' one.

'Pusher' Ross: 'Heerd'? 'heerd' What kind o' talk is that? Do they all talk that kind of English where you come from?

Alvin: Well there ain't any English people down our way - just Americans.

Cockney Soldier: Any of you blokes got a cigarette?

Bert Thomas: Yeah.

Cockney Soldier: Thanks. You know, you Yanks got here in the nick of time. We were running shy of these. Besides, we could do with some help.

[shell whistles]

Cockney Soldier: Look out!

Cockney Soldier: It takes a while, but you'll learn when to flop and when not to. They say you never hear the one that hits you. Bah - that's only half the truth.

Cockney Soldier: The whole truth is that if you hears it, you've got a chance. Duck! See what I mean?

Cockney Soldier: Heinie's got the range good.

'Pusher' Ross: Yeah. A guy could get killed round here.

Bert Thomas: Duck!

Cockney Soldier: Don't be afraid - this one will pass over. See? Takes time it do, but you'll get the 'ang of it.

[another shell whistles]

Cockney Soldier: Duck again!

Cockney Soldier: If that was shrapnel now, we wouldn't be flopping at all.

Cockney Soldier: We only flop when...

[notices Bert has been hit]

'Pusher' Ross: Okay, Bert, the express has gone through.

[realises Bert is dead]

'Pusher' Ross: Bert!

Cockney Soldier: If one's got your name on it, there's nothing you can do.

Pastor Rosier Pile: Howdy Mother York?

Mother York: Tol'able Pastor.

Alvin: Well, I reckon these'll do until I get fixed up in government clothes. The corn's doin' right good on the south hill. Might need a little extra hoein'.

George York: The mule's at the gate. You've got a long ways to go.

Alvin: Well, you'll be takin' care of things from now on, George.

George York: Sure will.

Alvin: Guess you'll be needin' a man-sized gun. You can have my rifle.

George York: I'm a-thankin' you.

Alvin: What are you doing here George? Young 'uns like you ain't got no business in a place like this here nohow. Now just you... skedaddle!

George York: Ma wants you Alvin.

Pastor Rosier Pile: Don't be takin' it hard Mother York, what you just heerd.

Mother York: I ain't a-takin' nothin' hard Pastor. An' I ain't makin' excuses for Alvin, or nobody.

Pastor Rosier Pile: 'Course you ain't. I ain't askin' you to.

Mother York: I'm right proud of Alvin.

Pastor Rosier Pile: You gotta right to be.

Mother York: Works hard, Alvin does. Patchin' and a-scratchin' that poor land. It's mighty hard work gettin' corn outta rocks. Who's to blame him, if he busts loose now an' again.

Pastor Rosier Pile: Nobody Mother York - nary a soul.

Mother York: 'Course, I ain't fer Alvin doin' like he does. A little religion wouldn't do him no hurt.

Pastor Rosier Pile: No. 'Twouldn't.

Mother York: Pastor, I wouldn't be agin you talkin' to Alvin. Do you think it would do any good?

Pastor Rosier Pile: Well - wouldn't do no harm. I'll be ridin' up an' havin' a talk with him.

Mother York: I'm a-thankin' you Pastor.

Alvin: Well, sure looks like I ain't got nothin' to offer ya except'n the big weddin'.

Gracie Williams: Some girls don't even get that.

Alvin: I reckon you'd like a place to sleep wouldn't ya?

Gracie Williams: Oh, I don't know... I done a heap'a sleepin' while you was away!

Alvin: [in the tavern at the state line after Nate Tompkins breaks his word and sells the piece of bottom land to Zeb Andrews] I'm a'drinkin' agin' Nate Tompkins!

Ike Botkin: [trying to distract Alvin] Now, how 'bout that 'ere big woman?

[Alvin stands to leave, Ike and Buck grab his arm]

Buck Lipscomb: Alvin, you better be a'stayin' here!

Alvin: Let go me!

Ike Botkin: Well we go 'long with ya!

Alvin: What I got to do is my own!

[lists drunkenly to the door, takes his rifle, exits into a raging thunderstorm]

Ike Botkin: Shore ain't a good night for a killin'.

[Ike and Buck sit back down slowly]

Buck Lipscomb: Ain't no stoppin' him now, I reckon.