Collections › Ellsberg & Pentagon Papers Songs

Ellsberg & Pentagon Papers Songs

20 songs · chronological · A–Z by artist
Annotations and notes by Justin A. Brummer
Entries are numbered (#1, #2 …) for reference on this page; the numbers shift when entries are added or split.
A collection of songs & spoken word records referencing Ellsberg & the Pentagon Papers
This forms part of the larger Vietnam War Song Project, an interpretive examination of over 6,500 Vietnam War songs identified, revealing how the war's significance is represented through music. The project also collects spoken-word recordings about the conflict. This unique collection of voices advances scholarship by providing insights into people’s views about the war over time as represented in music, looking at diverse communities and vibrant music scenes. It is crucial in developing our knowledge of the war and the humanities, through the use of a digital research platform.
Note: The VWSP has identified, to date, 20+ songs about Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers.
Citation: Justin A. Brummer, Vietnam War Song Project (VWSP) — Ellsberg & Pentagon Papers Songs, vietnamwarsongproject.com/list/ellsberg-pentagon-papers-songs, accessed 12 November 2026

Context

Beyond Anti-War and Pentagon Papers, the songs in this collection most often also deal with: LGBTQ+, Daniel Ellsberg, Nixon, Vet.
1 of 2
The New York Times publishes the Pentagon Papers, on Sunday, 13 June 1971
Key Events

The publication of the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret study on the history of US involvement in Vietnam, commissioned by the Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara in 1967, and leaked to the New York Times and other newspapers by Pentagon official Daniel Ellsberg in June 1971, increased the credibility gap and support for withdrawal from Vietnam.
  • 13 June 1971: New York Times publishes Pentagon Papers
  • 15 June 1971: Nixon takes legal action against the NYT
  • 18 June 1971: Washington Post starts publishing Pentagon Papers
  • 30 June 1971: Supreme Court votes 6-3 in favour of NYT and WP
  • 17 July 1971: Nixon established 'Plumbers' unit to stop leaks

1971

#1 James Stein Written in the Mind of Man (Song for Daniel Ellsberg) 1971 · Single · Written in the Mind of Man (Song for Daniel Ellsberg) / And Search Your Soul · Diogenes # DRS-101 · USA
Annotation
Obscure singer/songwriter James Stein released the song "Written on the Mind of Man (Song for Daniel Ellsberg" (Diogenes Productions # DRS-101) - no further biographical details known about this artist, or location of the recording. The lyrics looked at the government position: "the government felt betrayed, he broke the law they say" . However, the narrator praised Ellsberg, because "the truth must find a way" , and that we should "never forget the day... that Daniel Ellsberg took a stand" .
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Notes
Blue Diogenes Productions label DRS-101, Side A; "Written in the Mind of Man (song for Daniel Ellsberg)" (James Stein), 2:49, ASCAP, ℗ 1971 Colgems; produced by John D. Andrea. [From the record sleeve and labels]
Lyrics
English
This country comes from the hearts of man
Stood out from the crowd
And the time has come again for good men to speak out
There was a man from behind closed doors who shared a secret truth
When he couldn't stand it anymore he told everything he knew
And the people on the streets, in the cities, in the towns, all across this mighty land
Woke up from a dream when the word came down and began to understood
What happens to the men with the power when the man with the vote's asleep
And the leaders could be telling us wrong...
And the government felt betrayed
He broke the law they say
I say he upheld the law written in the mind of man
That the truth must find a way
And never forget the day
The day that Daniel Ellsberg took a stand
They said if I go to prison, then that's the price I pay
I've heard that decision made more and more these days
It's the old story of sneaking about what people know inside
They don't like come face to face with things they're trying to hide
And the government felt betrayed
He broke the law they say
I say he upheld the law written in the mind of man
That the truth must find a way
And never forget the day
The day that Daniel Ellsberg took a stand...
Show full lyrics (26 lines) ▾

1972

#2 Bloodrock Thank You Daniel Ellsberg 1972 · Single · Help Is on the Way / Thank You Daniel Ellsberg · Capitol # 3451 · USA
Annotation
Hard rock group, formed in 1969 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, they disbanded in 1975. The song "Thank You Daniel Ellsberg" (Capitol Records # 3451), released on the 1972 album Passage (Capitol Records # SW-11109), of course praised Ellsberg as suggested in the title, whom they refer to casually as "Danny boy" , for "all the notes that came from you" and for "scheming out all the schemers" . The lyrics reference a "Louis Packwood" - but unable to find any information on this.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Notes
Capitol 3451 (S45-78890), ℗ 1972 Capitol Records, Inc.; "Thank You Daniel Ellsberg" (Cobb-Hill), intro :10, 3:12, Bloodrock Music, BMI; "Produced by Peter Granet & Ed Grundy for Bloodrock Productions"; "From the LP 'Passage' SW-11109"; red-and-orange label in Capitol company sleeve (Hollywood and Vine; factories Scranton, Los Angeles, Jacksonville). [From the record sleeve and labels]
Lyrics
English
I wanna thank you Daniel Ellsberg
For all the notes that came from you
I said I wanna thank you Daniel Ellsberg
And maybe Louis Packwood too
For scheming out all the schemers
You now have set a trend for you
I wanna thank you Danny boy
For what you said
For what you said and done
I said I wanna thank you Danny boy
For what you said and done
You've stricken from all the pages
But you don't know that you're the one
#3 Bernie Travis and the Pentagon Players Excerpts From "The Pentagon Papers" 1972 · EP · Audio Fidelity # AF-177 · USA
Credited on the record as Bernie Travis And The Pentagon Players.
Annotation
Comedy sketches about the Pentagon Papers (Audio Fidelity Records # AF 177).
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Notes
Audio Fidelity AF-177, 7" EP of five comedy sketches: A1 "We Need The Duke" 0:51, A2 "Thieu For Tea" 0:58, A3 "Table Talk" 1:18, B1 "It's Not How You Play The Game" 1:09, B2 "Secrets Fit To Print" 0:55. Year from Rate Your Music (Discogs gives none). [From Discogs]

Promotion copy, from the Audio Fidelity comedy album AFSD-1712 by Bernie Travis and the Pentagon Players; publisher Sunbury, ASCAP. [From the record labels]

1973

#4 Various Artists Air War 1973 · Single · Missing in Action / Air War - Winter Soldier II (Vietnam Veteran Testimony) · Rounder # 4505 · USA
Annotation
Testimony by 10 Vietnam Veterans at Faneuil Hall Oct 7-9, 1971, expressing anti-war sentiment, part of the larger "Winter Soldier Investigation", an event by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), which sought to publicise atrocities in Vietna. The a-side track (Rounder Records # 4505), which featured testimony from Dale Desmond, Gary Rafferty, Phil Morris, Dave Schmidt, Tom Mangon, referenced the Pentagon Paper.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
#5 Various Artists Missing in Action 1973 · Single · Missing in Action / Air War - Winter Soldier II (Vietnam Veteran Testimony) · Rounder # 4505 · USA
Annotation: see “Air War” above (same release).
#6–14 Holly Near Hang in There 1973 · Album · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
9 of the 10 songs from this album in the archive are in this collection
Annotation
Holly Near, prominent 60s/70s political contemporary folksinger / singer-songwriter, born 6 June 1949 in Ukiah, California, USA, and founder of the record label Redwood Records. Near released dozens of protest songs, focusing on war, Civil Rights, women's equality, human rights, ecology, and other social and cultural issues. This album, Hang in There primarily focused on the Vietnam War. Holly Near had frequently taken part in anti-war demonstrations, and in 1971 joined the FTA Tour ("Free the Army"), an anti-Vietnam War roadshow. Organised by Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, and Fred Gardner, it was seen as a response to Bob Hope's USO tour (On the Road to Vietnam). The footage resulted in the 1972 film F.T.A. [Fuck the Army], as well as featuring in the 2005 documentary Sir! No Sir!123 Also note that Near released the song "It Could Have Been Me" on the 1974 album "A Live Album" (Redwood Records # 3700), a response to the Kent State shooting. The song "No More Genocide" (Redwood Records # RRS 3800) took a strong anti-war position, questioning the death in Vietnam, and the purpose behind the war: "why do we say North and South?" . The narrator argued that "our history books so full of lies" - referencing Indigenous American and Hispanic history: "why the Indian dies, or why the Chicanos love the California land" . The song included a reference to Civil Rights / African-American discrimination in army recruitment: "why are so many of our soldiers black or brown?" . It also noted that it was the young that were sent to war by the old. It then addressed Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, recalling "two men from the world of secrecy" (of course Ellsberg, and his less famous colleague, Anthony Russo from RAND who helped smuggled the papers). The narrator noted "I read the Pentagon Papers, seeking truth in their history" , including a look at the US government objective in South Vietnam: "preserving a democracy" . The chorus, repeated at the end of the song, states "that's just a lie... no more genocide in my name" .
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Show the full entries ▾ · Release page →
#6 Holly Near No More Genocide 1973 · Album · Hang in There · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
Annotation
Holly Near, prominent 60s/70s political contemporary folksinger / singer-songwriter, born 6 June 1949 in Ukiah, California, USA, and founder of the record label Redwood Records. Near released dozens of protest songs, focusing on war, Civil Rights, women's equality, human rights, ecology, and other social and cultural issues. This album, Hang in There primarily focused on the Vietnam War. Holly Near had frequently taken part in anti-war demonstrations, and in 1971 joined the FTA Tour ("Free the Army"), an anti-Vietnam War roadshow. Organised by Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, and Fred Gardner, it was seen as a response to Bob Hope's USO tour (On the Road to Vietnam). The footage resulted in the 1972 film F.T.A. [Fuck the Army], as well as featuring in the 2005 documentary Sir! No Sir!123 Also note that Near released the song "It Could Have Been Me" on the 1974 album "A Live Album" (Redwood Records # 3700), a response to the Kent State shooting. The song "No More Genocide" (Redwood Records # RRS 3800) took a strong anti-war position, questioning the death in Vietnam, and the purpose behind the war: "why do we say North and South?" . The narrator argued that "our history books so full of lies" - referencing Indigenous American and Hispanic history: "why the Indian dies, or why the Chicanos love the California land" . The song included a reference to Civil Rights / African-American discrimination in army recruitment: "why are so many of our soldiers black or brown?" . It also noted that it was the young that were sent to war by the old. It then addressed Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, recalling "two men from the world of secrecy" (of course Ellsberg, and his less famous colleague, Anthony Russo from RAND who helped smuggled the papers). The narrator noted "I read the Pentagon Papers, seeking truth in their history" , including a look at the US government objective in South Vietnam: "preserving a democracy" . The chorus, repeated at the end of the song, states "that's just a lie... no more genocide in my name" .
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Lyrics
English
Why do we call them the enemy this struggling nation
We've been bombing across the sea?
Why do we want these people to die?
Why do we say North and South?
Oh, why, oh why, oh why?
That's just a lie
One of the many and we've had plenty
I don't want more of the same
No more genocide in my name!
Oh, why are our history books so full of lies
When no word is spoken of why the Indian dies
Or why the Chicanos love the California land?
Do all books say it was discovered by the white men?
That's just a lie
One of the many and we've had plenty
I don't want more of the same
No more genocide in my name!
Oh, why are the weapons of the war so young
And why are there only older men around when it's done?
Why are so many of our soldiers black or brown?
Do we say it's because they're good at cutting yellow people down?
That's just a lie
One of the many and we've had plenty
I don't want more of the same
No more genocide in my name!
Then came two men from the world of secrecy
And they carried some secrets off
To shares them with you and me
I read the Pentagon Papers seeking truth in their history
But who says that we have been preserving a democracy
That's just a lie
One of the many and we've had plenty
I don't want more of the same
No more genocide in my name
Show full lyrics (35 lines) ▾
#7 Holly Near Hang in There 1973 · Album · Hang In There · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
Annotation: see “No More Genocide” above (same release).
#8 Holly Near Hang in There 1973 · Album · Hang In There · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
Annotation: see “No More Genocide” above (same release).
#9 Holly Near Better Days 1973 · Album · Hang in There · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
Annotation: see “No More Genocide” above (same release).
#10 Holly Near Birthday Children 1973 · Album · Hang in There · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
Annotation: see “No More Genocide” above (same release).
#11 Holly Near GI Movement 1973 · Album · Hang in There · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
Annotation: see “No More Genocide” above (same release).
Lyrics
English
We are here to talk to soldiers, we know that you won't be still
You're tired of US policy...
Soldier, did they tell you that fighting would set you free
Strange how that rumor got around...
Soldier sing the love song, it's the ballad of his rights
I hear that soldier is sleeping...tonight
Cause he was talking about the GI movement...
Some landed in Chicago, some landed in the Philippines
But wherever they go they see a horror show because
They're paid to make the people flee...
Talking about the GI movement, hear my song, carry it on...can't be wrong
#12 Holly Near Oh America 1973 · Album · Hang in There · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
Annotation: see “No More Genocide” above (same release).
#13 Holly Near Oh My Beautiful Friends 1973 · Album · Hang in There · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
Annotation: see “No More Genocide” above (same release).
#14 Holly Near Wedding Song 1973 · Album · Hang in There · Redwood # RRS 3800 · USA
Annotation: see “No More Genocide” above (same release).

1974

#15 Tricky Dick & The Kiss-Singers National Security Blues 1974 · Single · National Security Blues / Song of the Land · Bastard # BS 1984 · USA
Annotation
Obscure blues rock novelty group, as seen with the title of the band - Tricky Dick & The Kiss-Singers - of course named after President Richard Nixon, and his National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger. They released the song "National Security Blues" , which addressed the issue of wire-taping citizens under the pretence of "national security". Note the record label was called "Bastard Records" and the catalogue number was "BS" ("bullshit") and "1984" - as in the George Orwell's dystopian social science fiction novel. Also printed on the record was "any similarity to persons or places living or dead is purely coincidental". The song writing is credited to Olof Linder. The lyrics note that Nixon was "raiding doctor's offices" - a clear reference to the break-in of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office on 03 September 1971, in an attempt to find evidence to discredit him.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Notes
Bastard Records BS1984a; "National Security Blues" (Lÿnder – Nakkim), time 2:42, intro :07; ℗ 1974 by Olof Linder; disclaimer "Any similarity to persons or places living or dead is purely coincidental". Gold label with gothic-script logo. [From the record sleeve and labels]
Lyrics
English
We're down in San Clemente, across the Key Biscayne, there lived a little bugger
Tricky Dick by name
He liked to run the country from his fancy homes
He kept in touch with people
Tapping there phones
Arresting war protesters like you and me
And watching out for national security... He ran the secret service again the wall
Soon he then tape recording every folk...
Raiding doctor's offices...
Watching out for national security...
#16 The American Spirit My Fellow Americans 1974 · Single · The American Spirit / My Fellow Americans · Mums # ZS7 6028 · USA
Credited on the record as The American Spirit featuring the Voices of the Saint Carmichael Choir.
Annotation
The song "My Fellow Americans" (Mums Records # ZS7 6028) was a narration, impersonating John F. Kennedy, who read out the names of influential Americans, including a diverse field, such as George Washington, Crazy Horse, MLK, RFK, and Daniel Ellsberg, with fanfare, military march background music. The A-side track, "The American Spirit" , took a patriotic stance, referencing war and peace, and the song "Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire. Also impersonating John F. Kennedy, it referenced his assassination.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Notes
Mums ZS7 6028, stereo, purple-and-orange label, ℗ 1974 Mums Records; "Mums Records, a division of Landers-Roberts, Inc., distributed by CBS Records, 51 West 52 Street, New York City". "The American Spirit" (Abbott Vaughn Meader), matrix ZS7 6028-3, time 3:41; flip "My Fellow Americans" (Abbott Vaughn Meader), matrix ZS7 6028-4, time 3:31. Both sides: The American Spirit featuring the Voices of the Saint Carmichael Choir; publishers Landers-Roberts Music, Inc./April Music, Inc. (ASCAP); arranged and produced by Hal Blaine; engineer Howard Steele. [From the record sleeve and labels]
#17 The American Spirit The American Spirit 1974 · Single · The American Spirit / My Fellow Americans · Mums # ZS7 6028 · USA
Credited on the record as The American Spirit featuring the Voices of the Saint Carmichael Choir.
Annotation: see “My Fellow Americans” above (same release).

1995

#18 John Williams The Ellsberg Break-In and Watergate 1995 · Soundtrack · Nixon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) · Hollywood # HI-62043-2 · USA
Annotation
John Williams, renowned film composed, born 8 February 1932 in Floral Park, New York, USA, and currently based in Los Angeles, California, USA, work on the Oliver Stone directed film Nixon, which of course addressed the Pentagon Papers amongst other key events of Richard Nixon's life and presidency. The soundtrack featured the classical song "The Ellsberg Break-In and Watergate" (Hollywood Records # HI-62043-2) (CD-only release).
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Notes
Illusion Records / Hollywood Records HI-62043-2, "Nixon" (dir. Oliver Stone) soundtrack, track 4. [From Discogs]

2014

#19 The Mercury Tree The Ellsberg Cycle 2014 · Album · Countenance · Not On Label # none · USA
Annotation
Group formed in 2006 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, and currently based in Portland, Oregon, USA. The song "The Ellsberg Cycle" (self-released) provides a contemporary defence of people made a scapegoat for speaking out: "pin a man for the crimes of those who were too scared to speak up".
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Notes
Self-released CDr "Countenance", released 3 September 2014, track 6, 5:12. [From Discogs]
Lyrics
English
Bring him down to dredge the unfiltered bottom
High hopes for keeping the secrets quiet
He brings words of hell for corrupted heavens
He hides lies on a single drive
Hold him down until he follows the path
Of those who hide the truth from our eyes
He'll hold out until he follows the path
Of those who never cared for the creatures we are
Pin a man for the crimes of those who were too scared to speak up
Pin a man for the lives of those who died for an empire
Hold still in the story you've derived from the blighted truth we contrived
Don't hold out just follow the line
Or we'll start the clock that severs you from time
Pin a man for the crimes of those who were too scared to speak up
Pin a man for the lives of the parasites who pined for an empire
Show full lyrics (16 lines) ▾

Unknown date

#20 Rulie Garcia Ballad of Daniel Ellsberg Single · The Ballad of Daniel Ellsberg / Moon Rover · Doré # 863 · USA
Annotation
Born Raul Medina Garcia, most of his music was released under the name Johnny Chingas. He was born in Mexico, and immigrated to the US with his family as a child - and thus a Mexican-American representation.12 The song "Ballad of Daniel Ellsberg" (Doré # 863) focused on the Pentagon Papers and Ellsberg as suggested in the title - it took an anti-war position, praising Ellsberg for leaking the "truth about the war" as the man "who let the people know the score" .
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Notes
Doré 863 (45-LJB-707), black label with feather logo; "The Ballad of Daniel Ellsberg" (Raul Garcia), time 2:04, Hillary Music Inc.-Katinga Music (BMI); arranged by John Greek, produced by Lew Bedell. [From the record sleeve and labels]
Lyrics
English
Gather around me folks, I'll tell you all a story
Of a man who let the people know the score
Not for fame, not for riches, not for glory
He's the man who leaked the truth about the war
Well this man worked for a giant corporation
Whose main job is keeping secrets in a hush
He was aware of the problems in the nation
Sick and tired of all this beating around the bush
His position called for access to the files
Of some things that ought to make some folks ashamed
Seek them out of all those...guarded files, and expose, all the ones..to blame
Now the government has got him by the collar
You've got to pay because you've done wrong...
2-3 years locked up in jail for this great scholar
For upsetting all the people in the land
That's the story of the man who leaked the story
Of a man who let people know the score
Not for fame, not for riches, not for glory
Told the people of the truth behind the war
Show full lyrics (20 lines) ▾

Lyric theme data

Lyric content themes tagged on the songs in this collection — parent themes with their sub-themes (number of records). Click a theme for its definition and all records carrying it.

Show all 14 themes ▾

Key stats

20 songs · 10 releases · 10 artists · 9 labels · 1971–2014

Time period
Artists
  • 10 artists for 20 songs. The most represented is Holly Near, with nine.
  • Four of the artists are still unidentified beyond the record: no line-up, no biography.
  • Two are credited to various artists — compilations and cast recordings.
Songwriters
  • Songwriter gender is recorded for 14 of the 20 songs: nine by women and five by men — women wrote 64% of those.
  • By performer: nine women, eight men and three not identified (recorded for 20).
  • 10 named songwriters. The most often credited is Holly Near, with eight.
Labels
  • 6 of the 9 labels appear exactly once; Redwood has the most, with nine.
  • One sit on a major or well-known imprint — Capitol. The other 19 are on independent, regional or private labels.
  • One is a private pressing with no label at all.
  • Two 45s put both of their sides into this list.
Locations
  • All 20 are American. California leads with 14, then Oregon one.
  • Emeryville accounts for nine records, more than any other city; Los Angeles has four, Hollywood one.
Themes
  • By perspective: 17 peace, protest and anti-war; two post-war; one patriotic, pro-government or anti-protest.
  • 32 distinct sub-themes across 20 songs.
  • LGBTQ+ is the single biggest subject — 9 songs, nearly one in three.
  • Next come Pentagon Papers (9), Daniel Ellsberg (5), Nixon (4) and P.O.W. (3).
  • One is answer record to “Eve of Destruction”.