Don't Forget the Soldiers (Fighting in Vietnam)

Annotation

Roscoe Robinson, soul and gospel artist, wrote and recorded this single on his own label, Gerri Records (named after his wife Geraldine), which he established in Chicago, 1965. Born in Arkansas, 1928, he is currently based in Alabama. He also performed with the gospel groups The Fairfield Four, The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, & The Highway QC's.1 This soul song "Don't Forget the Soldiers (Fighting in Vietnam)" (Gerri Records # 002) started with mail being handed out to the soldiers in Vietnam, highlighting the importance of sending letters to the soldiers abroad (and another song address mail call time). As the title suggested, the song concerned itself with the plight of the soldier. In the main body of the song the narrator received a letter from his brother Tom, "fighting over in Vietnam". He noted the young age: "he is only 22, still he had to go" - presumably drafted, and not a volunteer. Then the track recalled the difficulties in Vietnam: "lying in foxholes...bombs are falling...bullets are coming". In the final part of the track, Robinson brought in the civil rights issue, telling people not to be so obsessed with colour: "stop worrying about who is white, stop worrying about who is black, we are human beings". Robinson produced and composed the song.Sources1Jet, 4 September 1969↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Civil Rights Songs

Roscoe Robinson, soul and gospel artist, wrote and recorded this single on his own label, Gerri Records (named after his wife Geraldine), which he established in Chicago, 1965. Born in Arkansas, 1928, he is currently based in Alabama. He also performed with the gospel groups The Fairfield Four, The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, & The Highway QC's.1 This soul song "Don't Forget the Soldiers (Fighting in Vietnam)" (Gerri Records # 002) started with mail being handed out to the soldiers in Vietnam, highlighting the importance of sending letters to the soldiers abroad (and another song address mail call time). As the title suggested, the song concerned itself with the plight of the soldier. In the main body of the song the narrator received a letter from his brother Tom, "fighting over in Vietnam". He noted the young age: "he is only 22, still he had to go" - presumably drafted, and not a volunteer. Then the track recalled the difficulties in Vietnam: "lying in foxholes...bombs are falling...bullets are coming". In the final part of the track, Robinson brought in the Civil Rights issue, telling people not to be so obsessed with colour: "stop worrying about who is white, stop worrying about who is black, we are human beings". Robinson produced and composed the song.Sources1Jet, 4 September 1969↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: I got a letter from my brother Tom / The one who is fighting over in Vietnam / He my little brother, he is only 22 / Still he had to go, fight for me and you / Thinking about the holidays it make feel bad / It's the first time away from mum and dad... / You don't know what a soldier goes through... / Don't forget the soldiers, fighting in Vietnam / Lying in foxholes, all day and night / Trying everything to win this fight / Bombs are falling from planes in the air / Bullets are coming from everywhere... / I've held my peace as long as I can / Now I'm really worried about my brother in Vietnam / We ain't going to win nothing killing a fellow man / Stop worrying about who is white / Stop worrying about who is black / We are human beings, that is a natural fact

Notes

Gerri Records, Chicago, 002, Side A, pink label; "Don't Forget the Soldiers (Fighting in Viet Nam)" (Roscoe Robinson), 3:10, Scoe Pub., BMI; produced by R. Robinson. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Produced by Roscoe Robinson

Themes

Soldier's Perspective · Civil Rights · Draft · Mail Call

In collections

US Domestic Perspective Songs [War Years] · Civil Rights Songs · Draft Songs · Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs