Will There Ever Be a Time

Annotation

The song "Will There Ever Be a Time?" (Bold Records # 377 / 358), released in 1972 by Captain Foam, an obscure psychedelic folk group, based in Ohio, took a general anti-war position, while referencing the My Lai massacre. Written and sung by Richard Bertram, produced by Nick Boldi, and engineered by Gary Rhamy, the song was recorded in Peppermint Productions Studios, in Youngstown, Ohio.1 Firstly, it expressed opposition to war, counting the dead, and questioning why they had to "see them fall". The narrator accused presidents of "trying to play god". He then called for the "money that they spend to build the guns and bombs", to be redirected towards clearing the "world of hunger", which would contribute towards "peace and equality". Then onto the subject of Calley and the massacre, the narrator argued that the "guns of...My Lai" represented a "curse upon the world". Note the reference to the "end of the world" - the type of language found in Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction", and typical of songs about the Cold War and fears of nuclear annihilation.Sources145cat↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs

The song "Will There Ever Be a Time?" (Bold Records # 377 / 358), released in 1972 by Captain Foam, an obscure psychedelic folk group, based in Ohio, took a general anti-war position, while referencing the My Lai massacre. Written and sung by Richard Bertram, produced by Nick Boldi, and engineered by Gary Rhamy, the song was recorded in Peppermint Productions Studios, in Youngstown, Ohio.1 Firstly, it expressed opposition to war, counting the dead, and questioning why they had to "see them fall". The narrator accused presidents of "trying to play god". He then called for the "money that they spend to build the guns and bombs", to be redirected towards clearing the "world of hunger", which would contribute towards "peace and equality". Then onto the subject of Calley and the massacre, the narrator argued that the "guns of...My Lai" represented a "curse upon the world". Note the reference to the "end of the world" - the type of language found in Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction", and typical of songs about the Cold War and fears of nuclear annihilation. Sources145cat↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Will there ever be a time, a time so real... / Is to two, is it four, is it six or is it eight / Is it all of the little children standing inside the gate / Count then five, count them ten / Count them twenty, count them all / How many times do I have to see them fall / Is it true what I hear, is it true what they say / The end of the world is getting nearer everyday / Let's not search for the reason that's spinning in my head / Let's not search for the answer that I suppress... / The sound of the guns of the My Lai massacre are ringing in my ears / That there's a curse upon the world... / Presidents and kings are trying to play god... / The money that they spend to build the guns and bombs / Will clear the world of hunger and take mankind along / Long way towards peace and equality

Notes

Bold 377 (A) / 358 (B); runouts #1140-BR-359A / 359B. Produced by Nick R. Boldi for NRB Productions; engineer Gary Rhamy; recorded at Peppermint Productions (Youngstown, Ohio); published by Bolnic Music. On the 45 Bertram was joined by his brother Vince and drummer Mike McFadden. Date: Discogs 1972; Buckeye Beat gives 1971 (recorded c. 1970-71).

About the artist

Captain Foam was a heavy guitar-rock duo formed c. 1968 in Canton, Ohio: Richard Bertram ('Captain Foam', guitar/vocals) and drummer Ken O'Brien ('the Doctor'); their single 'No Reason' b/w 'Will There Ever Be a Time?' appeared on Ohio's Bold Records (c. 1971-72), cut at Peppermint Studios with session players including Bertram's brother Vince. [Source: Buckeye Beat; Discogs]

Themes

Anti-War · My Lai · Anti-Calley

In collections

My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]