It's for God, and Country, and You Mom (That's Why I'm Fighting in Viet Nam)

Annotation

Honky-tonk singer-songwriter Ernest Tubb, born near Crisp, Texas (1914-1984), considered one of the most influential country performers in history, played the role of the soldier in the song "It's for God, and Country, and You Mom (That's Why I'm Fighting in Viet Nam)" (Decca Records # 31861) - as stated in the title, he explained what he thought to be the necessary reasons for fighting in Vietnam - although it was also for his "sweetheart who promised me her hand".1 Composed by Red River Dave (real name David McEnery), the lyrics contained clear expressions of patriotism, particularly with the reference to the American flag, a common feature amongst patriotic songs: "proudly rippling in the air the...blessed flag". For more Red River Dave songs, see box below. This single had significantly less success than the Tom T. Hall compositions discussed above ("Hello Vietnam" and "What We're Fighting For"), staying in the Billboard country chart for only two weeks, peaking at # 48 in early January 1966.23 Interestingly, Tubb's Second World War composition, Soldier's Last Letter (Decca Records # 6098), released in 1944, received a revival during the Vietnam period, with many country singers recording covers, included Johnnie Wright above. Ernest Tubbs also released the patriotic Vietnam song "It's America (Love It or Leave It)" (1970).David McEnery (Red River Dave) Vietnam War compositions: Ernest Tubb - "It's for God, and Country, and You Mom (That's Why I'm Fighting in Viet Nam)" (1965) Red River Dave - "The Ballad of Viet Nam (For God and Country and You, Dear)" (1966) Red River Dave - "Vietnam Guitar" (1966) Red River Dave - "Keep That Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" (1968) Red River Dave - "Prisoner of War (What's Happened to the Good Ol' U.S.A.?)" (1970) Sources1The Encyclopedia of Country Music (Michael McCall, 2012)↩2Billboard, January 1966↩3Billboard, January 1966↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

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

Honky-tonk singer-songwriter Ernest Tubb, born near Crisp, Texas (1914-1984), considered one of the most influential country performers in history, played the role of the soldier in the song "It's for God, and Country, and You Mom (That's Why I'm Fighting in Viet Nam)" (Decca Records # 31861) - as stated in the title, he explained what he thought to be the necessary reasons for fighting in Vietnam - although it was also for his "sweetheart who promised me her hand".1 Composed by Red River Dave (real name David McEnery), the lyrics contained clear expressions of patriotism, particularly with the reference to the American flag, a common feature amongst patriotic songs: "proudly rippling in the air the...blessed flag". For more Red River Dave songs, see box below. This single had significantly less success than the Tom T. Hall compositions discussed above ("Hello Vietnam" and "What We're Fighting For"), staying in the Billboard country chart for only two weeks, peaking at # 48 in early January 1966.23 Interestingly, Tubb's Second World War composition, Soldier's Last Letter (Decca Records # 6098), released in 1944, received a revival during the Vietnam period, with many country singers recording covers, included Johnnie Wright above. Ernest Tubbs also released the patriotic Vietnam song "It's America (Love It or Leave It)" (1970).Red River Dave Vietnam War compositions: "It's for God, and Country, and You Mom (That's Why I'm Fighting in Viet Nam)" (1965) "The Ballad of Viet Nam (For God and Country and You, Dear)" (1966) "Vietnam Guitar" (1966) "Keep That Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" (1968) "Prisoner of War (What's Happened to the Good Ol' U.S.A.?)" (1970) Sources1The Encyclopedia of Country Music (Michael McCall, 2012)↩2Billboard, January 1966↩3Billboard, January 1966↩

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Dearest mother, I must write from a jungle camp tonight / In Vietnam so many thousand miles away / Though a soldier must not cry, there are tear drops in my eyes / I'm so homesick for the good old USA / It's for god and country, and you mom / And for my sweetheart who promised me her hand... / That's why I'm fighting in Vietnam / I just saw my buddy fall, but before he gave his all / He said tell mom my faith is still the same / As I held his hand in this strange and distant land / He asked me to sing, 'America' again... / It's too dark now mom to write, so I'll have to say goodnight / With a prayer that when the morning breaks anew / I'll still see old glory there, proudly rippling in the air / The same blessed flag that is watching over you

Notes

Decca 31861 (116,585), black rainbow-band label; "It's for God, and Country, and You Mom (That's Why I'm Fighting in Viet Nam)" (Dave McEnery), Medallion Songs Inc., ASCAP, time 3:23; Ernest Tubb and His Texas Troubadours, vocal with instrumental accompaniment. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

American country singer, born 9 February 1914 in Crisp, Texas ('It's for God, and Country, and You Mom'); died 6 September 1984 in Nashville, Tennessee. [Source: Wikipedia]

Themes

Patriotic

In collections

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