Christmas in Vietnam

Annotation

Another song called "Christmas in Vietnam" (Astro Records # JR-39-110), this time by country singer Jack Cardwell, recorded on a Mobile, Alabama record label, and released in 1969. The track was a word-for-word cover of "Merry Christmas From Vietnam" by The Sullivan Family. It took a patriotic perspective. The narrator, a soldier in Vietnam, particularly missed his home during the festive season: "Christmas morning when you gather around the tree...it's so lonely in this foxhole where I am". However, the soldier took comfort in fighting for a cause that he believed in: "I'm fighting here to keep our country free". The song also included a religious element, as the soldier asked his mother to prayer for him and all the boys fighting over in Vietnam.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Hello mum, merry Christmas to you / Sorry I can't send a gift like I wanted to / But there is no place to buy a gift here where I am / So mum I'll send you all my love from Vietnam / Christmas morning when you gather around the tree / When the gifts are passed around think of me / It's so lonely in this foxhole where I am / Merry Christmas, from your boy in Vietnam / Mummy, please keep praying for me while I'm fighting here to keep our country free / You know that god has never ever let us down / So ask him mum to protect us boys here in Vietnam

Notes

Astro Records JR-39-110-A, white label with red print and star design; "Christmas in Vietnam" (Sullivan), 2:55, Walfran, BMI; produced by Jimmie Rodgers. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Born 9 November 1925, Alabama, USA

Themes

Christmas · Soldier's Perspective · Foxhole · Patriotic · Religion

In collections

Christmas Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]