Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black

Annotation — Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs

The song "Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black" (CMC # CM-1015) was a fascinating track that combined the issues of race / Civil Rights and Vietnam. Sung by an African-American bluesy / soul artist, James Armstrong, the track defended Calley - "we are fighting here to kill or be killed" - and the narrator suggested that if Calley was black then his situation could be a lot worse than just house arrest - so this is also a reflection of 1960s / 70s race relations, as well as a Vietnam War song.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: There was a young man named Calley / Trying to make the army ? / Over there fighting and suffering / We are fighting here to kill or be killed / While people over here trying to make a stand / Calley is being judged... / Thank god Calley wasn't black... / He's got a small chance of being free / Thank god he is not black like me... / I wonder what the outcome will be / If I was in Calley's place / Would the world be concerned about me / Or would they just turn there face?

Notes

CMC CM-1015, teal label, 1119 E. Broadway, West Memphis, Ark.; "'Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black'" (Clide Fleming), E and M Publishing Co., BMI, time 2:43; arranged by Truitt & Porter, produced by Craft. [From the record sleeve and labels] Split single: A 'Big Four' by Sonny Blake (CM-1013), B 'Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black' by James Armstrong (CM-1015). B-side arranged by David Porter and Paul Truitt. Producer Craft (Dan Craft). Published by E. & M. Publishers (BMI). A white-label variant exists (Discogs 11066939).

About the artist

James Armstrong sang 'Thank God, Calley Wasn't Black', which PBS American Experience describes as criticising the government from a civil-rights perspective while defending Lt. Calley; no further biography found. A-side artist Sonny Blake (Clennon Lee Blakes, b. 1923, Dundee, Mississippi) was a Memphis-based singer and harmonica player. [Source: PBS American Experience; Discogs]

Themes

My Lai · Patriotic · Civil Rights · Pro-Calley · Pro-Soldier

In collections

Blues songs · Civil Rights Songs · My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]