Letter From a Boy in Vietnam

Annotation

"Letter From a Boy in Vietnam" (Parkwood Records # 100). Spoken-word, to traditional-pop background, 'American the Beautiful'. Narrated from perspective of a soldier. Patriotic, attacked the protest movement, draft card burning. Warned against the 'evils' of communism, its threat to the American way of life (religion, schools, freedom of press, holidays). Supported government position in Vietnam and Cold War. Reference to Christmas.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Dear mom and dad, as I'm sitting here writing this letter / I'm beginning to realise the sadness this war has brought you / I try to remember that I'm part of a big job that must be done / And when it's over we're all have many years to spend together / There are a lot of people these days marching, protesting, criticising our government / Asking what are we doing over here and what are we fighting for / Well, we're fighting to stop the spread of communism, we're fighting for an American way of life / I know how you both like to keep up with the latest news... / In a communist takeover you never know what it is to read the truth in a daily newspaper / Or whatever you read or hear on the radio are just communist lies / The guys over here were talking about some of the things going on back home / Like draft card burning, sign carrying, sit-ins / I wonder if they knew that in red China they'd be executed fro criticising the government... / Some of the other things we're fighting for / Is to go to church on Sunday, be able to read the holy bible, send our children to the schools of our choice / We're also fighting to save our American calender, save our holy days and holidays / Can you imagine not being able to celebrate Christmas, not being able to tell the story of the birth of Christ / Not being able to see your children's eyes sparkle when they open their gifts on Christmas morning / In a communist country there is no Christmas, no thanksgiving day, and no Easter…

Notes

Blue Parkwood Record Co. label, 100-A; "Letter From a Boy in Vietnam" (M. Daulerio), Daulerio Music BMI, time 2:55. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Patriotic · Demonstration · Draft Card Burning · Religion · Christmas · Soldier's Perspective · Anti-Communism · Anti-Protest · Draft

In collections

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