It's On

Annotation

Contemporary folk artist Trevor Lucas, born 25 December 1943 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He died on 4 February 1989 in Sydney, NSW, Australia. This album featured the anti-war song "It's On" (CBS # BA-221124), composed by Don Henderson, who wrote many Vietnam War-related songs, discussed below. As discussed above, Gary Shearston released a version in 1964, prior to Australia's major involvement in the Vietnam War: It's On. Raymond Crooke recorded a version on his YouTube channel. While the Vietnam conflict was well underway in 1964, very few Australians participated until the Menzies government upgraded its commitment in April 1965 - so this is more of a Vietnam-era protest song, not specifically mentioning the conflict, but a representation of the early 60s anti-war movement in Australia. The lyrics revolved around the absurdity of conflict as two people get into a fight: "reason and logic are gone, winning the fight won't prove that you're right". The final verse criticised governments / politicians that "save on education and spend on defence".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

Born 25 December 1943 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He died on 4 February 1989 in Sydney, NSW, Australia

Themes

Anti-War

In collections

Australian & New Zealand Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs