A Letter From My Son

Annotation

The song "A Letter From My Son" (parts 1 & 2) by Melverine Thomas - little is known of this artist. Released on the obscure Harrisburg, Pennsylvania label Jay-Walking (# JW-004), a sub-label of the better-known Soulville Records, founded by Bobby Fulton in 1967. In the song Thomas emotionally recalls the moment that a mother "got a letter from Vietnam" with good news, as repeated by the chorus throughout the song: "Mama, I'm coming home". The soldier requested that his mother meet him at the station, "put soul food on the stove", and tell his girlfriend to meet him at "our same old hideout" - so showing the soldier dreaming about his old life in the US.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: I got a letter from Vietnam the other day / It was unexpected because there had been some delay / But when I read that letter it caused my heart to feel so young and gay / Listen to what my son had to say / Mama, I'm coming home / I've got my duffel bags in my hands / You'll all meet me at the station / Meet me on the platform... / Mama, I want you to tell my girl something / You know Elma down the street / Tell her to meet me at our same old hideout / Now put soul food out on the stove

Notes

Jay-Walking JW-004, white "D. J. Copy" labels with a walking-boot-and-stave logo; "A Letter From My Son" (Part 1) and (Part 2) (M. Thomas), Playnote Music Co. BMI, "DWG Production"; Part 1 time 2:50, Part 2 time 2:35. [From the record sleeve and labels]

Themes

Soldier's Perspective

In collections

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