Letter From a Soldier

Annotation

Another obscure, wonderful soul Vietnam song, "Letter From a Soldier" (Sentry Records # 103), by Bobby Joy, played at a very slow pace, which takes the form of a soldier writing back home, expressing his loneliness at being "way over here" and "on the other side", as well as pleading with his girl to stay true to him while he is gone. Nevertheless, he says that he understands "why the world's got to be free".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: Oh my darling, it's so lonesome over here / So far from the one I love and hold so dear / Baby I'm way over here / But my darling there is so much over here to see / Now I know why the world's got to be free / If you should get lonesome waiting for me / There is something I want you to do / Just remember there's a lot of girls that are lonesome too / Waiting for their guy on the other side / Tonight when you bow down / Oh please say a little prayer for me and for the other guys on the other side

Notes

Pale-blue Sentry Records label with a centaur-archer logo, No. 103-A; "Letter From a Soldier" (C. Hunter, B. Beatty), Philly Sounds Music BMI, time 2:59; produced by B. Beatty and C. Hunter, arranged by Robt. Banks and Larry Lucie. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Soldier's Perspective

In collections

Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs · US Combat Perspective Songs [War Years]