In the Slime of Vietnam

Annotation — US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs

Lundberg, an American businessman and radio newscaster in Michigan, took a conservative line on social issues. This record (Liberty Records # LST-7547) was a surprise, and huge hit, selling over a million copies in the first month of its release in November 1967. It contained the well-known monologue about draft card burners called an "An Open Letter to My Teenage Son" (Liberty Records # 55996), discussed above. On the back of the LP Lundberg said that:"his album contains thoughts...They will be cussed and discussed. They will be praised and protested... It is said that what we say is flag waving. It takes pride and love to wave a flag - hate and stupidity to burn one".The LP also contained another patriotic Vietnam War song, "In the Slime of Vietnam", in which Lundberg claimed to narrate a story from an ex-marine. In the first part the marine sought to represent all types of Americans - with different religious backgrounds, people with a family heritage based on other countries, representing the social-economic divide, and covering the various parts of the military. In the second part he turned his attention to the demonstrators, praising the American democracy and freedom that allowed protesters to raise their banners and slogans, and that the US soldiers would "defend your right to do it", even if it kills them because they are "the arm of Uncle Sam".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: This is the work I received from an ex-marine in Phoenix, Arizona / I died for you today my friends, in the slime of Vietnam / If your concerned to say the least, I'll tell you who I am / I'm the soldier and the sailor, I'm the airman and marine... / I'm the tireless army medic, dodging steal to give first aid... / I'm the men of different races... / Call me Cohen, Smith or Kelley... / But I'm every inch American and your freedom I seek / I came from every walk of life: from mansion to slums / When Uncle Sam came calling I was proud that I could go / Now I've watched those demonstration and the marchers who protest / And I say, 'thank god for freedom, while my country is still the best' / So take your banners and your slogans, raise your placards to the sky / I'll defend your right to do it, though in doing so I'll die... / I'm the arm of Uncle Sam, and I died today for you my friends / In the slime of Vietnam

About the artist

American radio personality, born 2 September 1923 in Grand Rapids, Michigan; a WMAX Grand Rapids newscaster whose spoken-word single 'An Open Letter to My Teenage Son' (1967) became a Top 10 hit; remained in Grand Rapids media until his death on 14 February 1990 (location not stated in sources). [Source: Wikipedia]

Themes

Patriotic

In collections

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