Joey's Letter

Annotation

In the second track "Joey's Letter", Joey wrote a letter (rather than a prayer delivered by angels). In it he sought to explain to his big brother in Vietnam that those at home in the US "are marching in parades of peace" so that "this whole mess can be solved". He argued that the only way to achieve peace in the world is for everybody to unite and stand against the war. Therefore, this single took an anti-war position, displaying sympathy with the peace movement and protesters demonstrating.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: To Mike Martin, soldier USA, somewhere in the war zone / Delivered by angel, special delivery, to my big brother / I'm all alone sitting in our little room.... / Soon will be Christmas / But it is quiet everywhere...at Christmas time / I know he is sad without the tree and things / He don't know when he is coming home to see what Santa brings / But really presents aren't important.... / Mom says he's with us no matter where he may be / Because we'll keep his picture hanging right on our Christmas tree / See ya, Joey To Mike Martin, soldier USA, somewhere in the war zone / Urgent, delivery before Christmas... / I want you to know that most of us here in our own way are fighting for all of you / We are marching in parades of peace / The whole nation is involved / United together both young and old / Fighting so this whole mess can be solved / Like dad says, the only way that can win this war for peace in all the lands / It's all for one and one for all / United we got to stand / So keep your hopes up big brother / And know that we are all on your side / And doing everything we can to make peace world-wide / I'll be seeing ya, Joey

Notes

Imperial 66273, "Audition Record" promotional labels, "A Product of Liberty Records", Liberty Records, Inc., Los Angeles; "Joey's Letter" (Jeanne Castle), matrix IM-6416, 2:40, and "Joey's Prayer" (Jeanne Castle), matrix IM-6415, 2:10, both Metric Music Co., BMI; "A Gemini Production", produced by Dick Shepp. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Christmas · Anti-War · Child · Home Front Perspective · Demonstration

In collections

Children on Record · Christmas Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]