Behold the Voice of the People
1971 · Prestige PP71-127 · USA
- Artist
- Johnny Campbell
- Title
- Behold the Voice of the People
- Release
- Behold the Voice of the People / Vietnam
- Year
- 1971
- Label
- Prestige # PP71-127
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- USA
- Songwriter
- J. Bowers, F. Winters
- Genre
- Country · Country
- Primary theme
- US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs
Annotation
Obscure traditional pop single, the song "Behold the Voice of the People" (Prestige Productions # PP71-127) by Johnny Campbell defended the actions of Calley. He recognised the killings that took place: "woman and children died". However, the narrator thought that this "happened in every other war", and that Calley had "carried out an order like a loyal soldier would". While the narrator said that Calley "has done no wrong", he then argued that "one man can't take the blame" - thus a contradiction, as the second phrase suggested that Calley had in fact done something wrong, but argued that he should not be a scapegoat and the only person held accountable for the atrocity. Campbell focused on the views of the public, who, according to the narrator, "cried loud and long" at the Calley verdict, and so demanded his freedom. Backing the soldier regardless of moral and ethical arguements, it displayed blind support and faith in the actions of the soldier.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation
"Viet Nam" by Sid Linard (Prestige Productions # PP71-127), released in 1971. country, plight of the soldier, ambiguous lyrics. patriotic references, referred to hell of war and pointlessness "Vietnam is a land of sorrow, it's a land of grief and shame The call all boys by a number there and not by name You watch your buddy fall and die and there is nothing you can do He came from Alabama, he was a close and dear friend to you The next day is the same old thing, rain, rice paddies, mud... Somewhere in the background some homesick GI starts to sing They'll all join in when the fighting's done, and give thanks to god... It's hell on earth, that's true enough But thousands and countless thousands more have had to face such rough To fight a war of a needless end, a war you can't loose, a war you can't win To fight for a principle, to fight for a cause, and to die for freedom for one and all But now you live, yes you live, and hope to pray to tell the folks back home Of the times you had to spend in hell"
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Themes
My Lai · Pro-Calley · Calley-Order · Calley-Scapegoat · Calley-Chaos
In collections
My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs