Drafted
1961 · Fury [New York] 1055 · New York City, New York
- Artist
- Wilbert Harrison
- Title
- Drafted
- Release
- Drafted / My Heart Is Yours
- Year
- 1961
- Label
- Fury [New York] # 1055
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- New York City, New York, USA
- Songwriter
- W. Harrison
- Genre
- Blues · Soul Blues
- Primary theme
- Home Front Perspective / Soldier's Perspective
Annotation
Wilbert Harrison, blues and R&B artist, born on 5 January 1929 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, he died on 26 October 1994 in Spencer, North Carolina, USA. Released in 1961, the song "Drafted" (Fury Records # 1055) was just before the main period of the Vietnam War - no specific war is mentioned, however it is a good piece of contemporary blues representing the possibility of being drafted at the time. Reluctantly, the narrator informs his partner that "I got to meet that recruitin' sergeant". He wonders whether it will be "the army or the marines...the navy or the air force" - either way, he request "dear, don't forget our lover's vow".
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation — US Combat Perspective Songs
Wilbert Harrison, blues and R&B artist, born on 5 January 1929 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, he died on 26 October 1994 in Spencer, North Carolina, USA. Released in 1961, the song "Drafted" (Fury Records # 1055) was just before the main period of the Vietnam War - no specific war is mentioned, however it is a good piece of contemporary blues representing the possibility of being drafted at the time. Reluctantly, the narrator informs his partner that "I got to meet that recruitin' sergeant". He wonders whether it will be "the army or the marines...the navy or the air force" - either way, he requested: "dear, don't forget our lover's vow".
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Lyrics
English: Hut-two-three-four / Hut-two-three-four / Hut-two-three-four / Goodbye, my darlin', I have been drafted / Hey, a face says I've got to go / Goodbye my darlin', I have been drafted / Hey, a face says I've got to go / My dear it hurts me so / How much you'll never know / And I really hate to go / Hut-two-three-four / Hut-two-three-four / Hut-two-three-four / Goin' by train or by plane / I got to meet that recruitin' sergeant / Goin' by train or by plane / I got to meet that recruitin' sergeant / On land or on sea / No matter where I may be / My darlin', please, please, wait for me / Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah / Ah, but you know, yeah / Mercy! / Hey, ho / Hey, ho / Yeah, yeah, yeah / Hut-two-three-four / Hut-two-three-four / Hut-two-three-four / Might in be in the army or the marines / I'm drafted, and that's no dream / Might be in the navy or the air force / Whichever one I've got no choice / I'm in the service now / I guess I'll make it somehow / Dear, don't forget our lover's vow / I'm in the service now / I guess I'll make it somehow / Dear, don't forget our lover's vow / I'm in the service now / I guess I'll make it somehow
Notes
Fury Records 1055, matrix F 2009, 45 R.P.M., "Preview Copy"; "Drafted" (W. Harrison), 2:25, Fast Music - Wilberton Music; "Sehorn & Robinson Production". [From the record sleeve and labels]
About the artist
Born 5 January 1929, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Died 26 October 1994, Spencer, North Carolina, USA
Themes
In collections
Blues songs · Draft Songs · US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]