Forgotten Lives - Forgotten Wives

Annotation

A double-sided Vietnam War single, released in Tabor City, North Carolina, USA. On the b-side, the song "Forgotten Lives - Forgotten Wives" (Sea Side Records # SSB-055/015) addressed the treatment of Vietnam veterans after the Paris Peace Accords. The narrated argued that society and the government ignored the veterans: "the vets of 'Nam seem to be forgotten by Uncle Sam". The narrated contrasted this to World War Two, recalling that when the soldier's returned, people "celebrated, the band played, the flags flew". The narrator turned his attention to the issue of those missing in Vietnam: "M.I.A.s, P.O.W.s...how can we just let this issue die when many wives and children sit at home and cry". On the a-side, the track "Soldier of 'Nam" addressed the Vietnam syndrome - narrated in the first person, a man described being drafted to fight in Vietnam, and then returning to the US facing jeers. It referenced agent orange. Composed by R. Stevens. Produced by Elson H. Stevens (owner of the record label). Publisher: Creekside Music. Performing Rights: BMI.Soldier of 'Nam (Callender, Mike) Reference to agent orange, draft card burning, the conditions in Vietnam. First person narration, drafted.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — P.O.W. / M.I.A. Songs

A double-sided Vietnam War single, released in Tabor City, North Carolina, USA. On the b-side, the song "Forgotten Lives - Forgotten Wives" (Sea Side Records # SSB-055/015) addressed the treatment of Vietnam veterans after the Paris Peace Accords. The narrated argued that society and the government ignored the veterans: "the vets of 'Nam seem to be forgotten by Uncle Sam". The narrated contrasted this to World War Two, recalling that when the soldier's returned, people "celebrated, the band played, the flags flew". The narrator turned his attention to the issue of those missing in Vietnam: "M.I.A.s, P.O.W.s...how can we just let this issue die when many wives and children sit at home and cry". On the a-side, the track "Soldier of 'Nam" addressed the Vietnam syndrome - narrated in the first person, a man described being drafted to fight in Vietnam, and then returning to the US facing jeers. It referenced agent orange. Composed by R. Stevens. Produced by Elson H. Stevens (owner of the record label). Publisher: Creekside Music. Performing Rights: BMI.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Draft Songs

A double-sided Vietnam War single, released in Tabor City, North Carolina, USA. On the b-side, the song "Forgotten Lives - Forgotten Wives" (Sea Side Records # SSB-055/015) addressed the treatment of Vietnam veterans after the Paris Peace Accords. The narrated argued that society and the government ignored the veterans: "the vets of 'Nam seem to be forgotten by Uncle Sam". On the a-side, the track "Soldier of 'Nam" addressed the Vietnam syndrome - narrated in the first person, a man described being drafted to fight in Vietnam, and then returning to the US facing jeers. It referenced agent orange, and draft card burning. Composed by R. Stevens. Produced by Elson H. Stevens (owner of the record label). Publisher: Creekside Music. Performing Rights: BMI.Soldier of 'Nam (Callender, Mike) Reference to agent orange, draft card burning, the conditions in Vietnam. First person narration, drafted.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: You know the thing that really bothers me, is that 'Nam is apart of our history / And in all the books I've ever read, soldiers have been honored alive or dead / M.I.A.s, P.O.W.s, the vets of 'Nam seem to be forgotten by Uncle Sam / And the families that wait at home / Unless you know one, never knows / I feel that every wife should demand to know what has become of her man / Because until she does she's...wondering if he can survive / This I know is a sad situation, and I feel all America should share this humiliation / I mean how can we just let this issue die when many wives and children sit at home and cry... / It's hard to control the fate of those who command or those who obey / But I feel our country should strive hard to find a way to honor those taken / By those who served because they were chose / You know this was a war we could not win / But still old glory should fly for them / You know my dad served in World War Two... / We prayed each and everyday and waited / A man when he came home we celebrated / The band played, the flags flew, it seems that no one remembers you

Notes

Sea Side Records SSB-055/015 (UR 2933), stereo, 45 RPM; ℗ 1981 Creekside Music, BMI; produced by E. Stevens; "Southern Sound Productions, 100 Labon St., Tabor City, N.C. 28463". "Soldier of 'Nam" (R. Stevens), 3:04; flip side "Forgotten Lives - Forgotten Wives" (R. Stevens), 2:36. Issued in a Sea Side company sleeve printed with the Southern Sound Productions address and telephone (919) 653-2546. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

Creekside Music, BMI. Produced by E. Stevens

Themes

M.I.A. · P.O.W. · Patriotic · Vietnam Syndrome · Draft · WW2 · Vet

In collections

Draft Songs · P.O.W. / M.I.A. Songs