Dear Mr. President

Annotation

One of the early child spoken-word records about the Vietnam War, in the song "Dear Mr. President" (Tower Records # 225) a very young Randy Davis, probably about 7 or 8, wrote a letter to US President Johnson expressing support for his policies. He viewed the Vietnam conflict as a fight for freedom, like the Second World War: "my dad served in World War Two...he agrees with you about Vietnam and I agree with him". The child attacked the protesters who "aren't willing to do their share", and viewed the demonstrations as an attempt "to get attention". Thus, this took a strong pro-government stance. Composed by a "Gene Davis" - is this the famous country and rockabilly singer Gene Davis?

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Dear Mr. President, I know you're a busy man / I thought I'd write this letter just so you'd know where I stand / A lot of folks don't agree with you, but I don't think they're right... / I've been taught that when it comes to freedom it's everybody's fight / My dad served in World War Two with a lot of other men / He agrees with you about Vietnam and I agree with him / I guess every boy would like to be president and I used to think I would / But if I had to take the things you do I don't think I could... / I see kids on television carrying signs up and down the street... / They're just doing it to get attention while they pretend to care / But there's people who always want the best but aren't willing to do their share... / God bless you Mr. President

Notes

Tower 225 (45-60512), "Promotional – Not for Sale"; "Dear Mr. President" (Gene Davis), Gee-Bob Music, BMI, 2:30. The same song also appears on a black CMI Records label, 307 (CMA-101), 45 RPM, 6263 Leland Way, Hollywood, time 2:30, Gee-Bob Music (BMI). [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Patriotic · Child · WW2 · Demonstration

In collections

Children on Record · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs [War Years]