Letter to the President

Annotation

Letter to the President, A (Rearick, Mel) plight, demonstration, VC, leans towards anti-war. "Precious memories, precious memories How I long to be back home...never again to be alone Dear Mr. President, this letter is hard to start But sir, I'll do my very best to say what's in my heart I've read about your problems, riots...your struggle with the budget I know your job is endless and how weary you must be But sir, I hope you take the time to read these lines from me Today sir is my birthday, I'm finally twenty-one I'll spend it in my foxhole, accompanied by my gun The last year of my life sir I've fought the Vietcong In battle after battle I've managed to stay strong I've made a lot of friends sir, now many who are dead God bless those brave young men in their final resting bed Mr. President, I know I'm here to keep this country free And I'll perform my dangerous duties with honour and dignity But sir, I'm too am getting tired of jungles drenched in rain And I long to have my mothers arms around me once again To loaf about the sidewalk and watch the girls go by And tease my little sister until I make her cry Please Mr. President, please try to end this war Return me to my home…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs

Bluegrass, soldier's perspective. Both anti-war / peace and patriotic. Probably Nixon era, early 70s. Letter to the president - know you're busy with riots, rush on gold, the budget. But it's my 21st birthday, here in a foxhole, with my gun fighting the Vietcong Many of my friends have died. Here to keep country free, I'll do my part. But tired of the jungle and the killing. Please end the war, and bring peace

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Themes

Soldier's Perspective · Demonstration · VC

In collections

Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs